Mobilbetaling

Mobilbetaling, or mobile payment, is a method of paying for goods and services using a mobile device rather than cash or a traditional payment card. It encompasses proximity payments at physical stores as well as remote payments in apps and on websites. Methods include NFC-based contactless payments, QR-code payments, and in-app or in-browser checkout that uses stored card or bank credentials.

A typical mobile payment system links a user’s bank account, card, or digital wallet to a mobile application. At the point of sale, the user authenticates (by biometrics, PIN, or password) and the terminal receives a tokenized representation of the payment instrument rather than actual card details. Tokenization and secure elements help protect data during transmission and storage. Some systems enable peer-to-peer transfers as well.

Major implementations exist both as standalone apps and as features within larger ecosystems. Nordic and European examples include Vipps (Norway) and MobilePay (Denmark), while other markets rely on e-wallets such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. Adoption varies by country, merchant acceptance, and consumer familiarity, with both card networks and banks often participating.

Security and regulation play central roles. Strong authentication requirements under PSD2 in the European Economic Area influence mobile payments, and tokenization reduces the exposure of sensitive data. Privacy considerations and risk-based checks guide how data is collected and used by providers.

Benefits include speed, convenience, and reduced cash handling; limitations can include limited merchant acceptance, device dependency, and potential interoperability issues across platforms.