PayPal Tap-to-Pay Now Available for iPhone Users in Germany

Looking to use PayPal for contactless payments on your iPhone in Germany? Thanks to new European Union regulations, Apple has opened up its iPhone NFC chip, allowing third-party apps like PayPal to offer tap-to-pay functionality. That means iPhone users in Germany can now enjoy seamless, secure PayPal NFC payments at supported terminals — a major milestone for mobile wallets in the EU.

EU Regulation Forces Apple to Open NFC Access

The rollout follows the enforcement of the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), a regulatory shift that forces tech giants like Apple to grant more open access to hardware features such as Near Field Communication (NFC). This move is specifically designed to break Apple’s long-standing monopoly over contactless payments via Apple Pay, empowering alternative digital wallets to compete on a level playing field.

How PayPal NFC Payments Work on iPhone

PayPal’s NFC tap-to-pay solution works similarly to Apple Pay but is powered by the PayPal app. It currently supports payment terminals that accept Mastercard and is exclusive to iPhones — no support yet for Apple Watch. Users simply tap their iPhone to the terminal, authenticate the transaction, and go. This advancement aligns with broader EU efforts to diversify digital payment ecosystems and reduce gatekeeping by major platforms.

PayPal Joins Growing List of NFC Wallets in Europe

Germany is not the first market to see third-party NFC payments on iPhone. Norway’s Vipps app was the first to take advantage of Apple’s hardware changes late last year. Now, with PayPal joining the ranks, competition in the mobile payments sector is heating up — good news for both consumers and businesses that rely on high-transaction-volume payment processing.

NFC Integration Expands Globally Beyond Europe

While Europe leads the charge in regulatory-driven tech openness, Apple has also begun expanding NFC access to developers in the U.S. and other global markets. Last year, Apple allowed apps like PayPal’s Venmo and Zettle to utilize iPhone NFC readers for accepting contactless payments. This marks a significant shift in Apple's once-closed ecosystem and opens the door for merchant payment solutions, mobile commerce apps, and digital transaction platforms to innovate further.

Why This Matters for Mobile Wallet Competition

PayPal’s expansion into iPhone NFC payments could reshape mobile commerce, especially in Europe where digital wallets are increasingly preferred. The convenience of tap-to-pay, combined with PayPal’s wide acceptance, gives users more control over their financial tools — without being locked into Apple Pay.

A Win for Consumers and Fintech

This change not only represents a win for PayPal and German iPhone users but also signals broader implications for fintech innovation, anti-monopoly enforcement, and consumer choice in mobile payments. As Apple continues to comply with global regulatory demands, expect more digital wallets to tap into NFC capabilities across iOS devices.