5 Key Payment Habits You Need to Know in 2026

Today’s customers expect the path from thought to purchase to be so short that they barely notice it. It’s not about being the most technical. It’s about being the most accessible, and making payment so natural that it blends into the experience.

Here are 5 key payment habits for 2026 that will help you navigate the complexity, give your customers peace of mind and grow your bottom line.

1. Why are local payment methods beating global standards?

Consumers prefer what they recognise. Local payment methods create a sense of security that global credit cards can’t always match. Offering customers their preferred local method significantly increases your conversion rate across borders.

A one-size-fits-all approach is no longer enough if you want to scale your webshop internationally. Forcing a Dutch customer to dig out their Visa card when they’re used to paying with iDEAL creates unnecessary friction. It feels unnatural and, at worst, can lead to an abandoned purchase.

We’ve gathered some of the local favourites in this overview:

2. Is the wallet going fully digital?

Yes, and the shift is accelerating fast. The mobile phone has become Danes’ preferred shopping tool, and in 2025 as many as 55% of all purchases were made on a smartphone. Mobile payments have now overtaken the payment card and account for 44% of all online payments. Purchase decisions are made in the moment, wherever the customer happens to be, and that calls for a payment process that takes just a few clicks.

The phone is always within reach. The payment card rarely is. If customers have to get up to find their card, you’ve already made it too difficult.

Mobile payments remove the friction. With facial recognition and a few clicks, the purchase is done.

• In countries such as the UK, Italy and Spain, Apple Pay has become a fixture of everyday life.
• Even in countries with strong local cards, such as France and Denmark, digital wallets are gaining ground.
  

It’s technology that feels invisible, and that’s exactly what the best payment experience should be.

3. What does flexible payment mean for your conversion rate?

The flexibility of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) increases the willingness to buy by removing financial uncertainty at the moment of purchase. It lets customers inspect the product in person before the money is charged, which builds trust in your webshop.

Sometimes you need to feel the quality before you pay, especially when shopping in a foreign webshop for the first time.

Services like Klarna have become an integral part of e-commerce in countries such as Sweden, Spain and Germany. In Denmark, too, we’re seeing solutions like Anyday and ViaBill on the rise. It’s not necessarily about credit, it’s about peace of mind. It gives customers the feeling of being in control.

4. Can the classic card still keep up?

The payment card is still the foundation, but it no longer stands alone. In many countries, national cards still dominate, often co-branded with Visa or Mastercard. The security of a familiar card shouldn’t be underestimated.

Even as new methods gain ground, the classic card still dominates in many situations.

• If you sell to France, Cartes Bancaires is indispensable, as it’s the French consumers’ preferred payment card.
• In Norway and Finland, the vast majority of customers choose to pay by card.
• In Denmark, Visa/Dankort remains a firm favourite among Danish consumers.

A good payment solution isn’t about choosing between new and old. It’s about finding the right balance. By combining familiar card types with local favourites, you create security for your customers and a stable foundation for your business.

5. Why is transparency the new loyalty?

Nobody likes unpleasant surprises. In 2026, customers expect full transparency: no hidden card fees or unexpected surcharges at checkout. An honest price and a seamless checkout are the best way to say “thank you for your order”.

The rules are clear: no surcharges may be added to payments with consumer cards issued in the EU. But it’s about more than the law. It’s about good practice. If customers are hit with an extra fee at the last minute, trust goes out the window, and so may the sale.

Read more articles and guides from pensopay

Want to dive deeper into payment solutions and e-commerce? We encourage you to explore our other articles to ensure your business is prepared for the future of online trade.

Team pensopay