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Sell More Internationally with the Right Payment Solutions

Written by Cecilia | Sep 27, 2025, 10:00:00 PM

Danish webshops are among the most digital in Europe - yet only a small fraction targets international markets. Consumers are already shopping across borders, so the question is: Is your webshop ready to win customers outside Denmark? 

Although Danish webshops are among the most digital in Europe, we risk falling behind without a clear internationalization strategy. Our current digital head start is no guarantee for the future if we fail to convert it into global growth.

Here is your overview of how to get your webshop ready for global sales with the right payment solution.

 

 

Why do Danish webshops have low international trade despite high digitization?

Danish SMEs lead the EU in digitization, but are held back abroad by language barriers, logistics, and a lack of local payment solutions. To gain market share internationally, webshop owners must adapt their checkout experience to local consumer preferences across different markets.

30% of Danish SMEs' revenue came from e-commerce in 2024 Highest in Europe

Strong domestic digitalization: According to Eurostat, Danish SMEs lead the field in e-commerce revenue across the EU.

Unexplored export potential: Nevertheless, only a small proportion of Danish online stores actively target international markets.

General EU trend: Many EU countries share the same challenge of high local digitalization combined with limited international trade.

Denmark particularly resembles our Nordic neighbors, where e-commerce is strong in the domestic market but has not yet fully expanded globally. The reasons range from logistics and language barriers to fierce competition from international giants.

However, one factor is often underestimated: payment methods.

SMEs' share of e-commerce revenue in the EU

Overview of e-commerce share of SME revenue by country

Belgium
 
28.8 %
Ireland
 
24.2 %
Luxembourg
 
22.6 %
Germany
 
20.7 %
Spain
 
19.5 %
Portugal
 
19.5 %
Italy
 
16.9 %
France
 
12.3 %

Source: Eurostat (via Trading Economics) 

Why are local payment methods the key to trust and conversion?

Local payment methods build instant trust during the checkout phase and prevent foreign customers from abandoning their shopping carts. When customers see payment solutions they know from their home country, friction in international e-commerce is significantly reduced.

Customers don't just buy products – they buy peace of mind. When a customer from Germany, Sweden, or the Netherlands visits your webshop, they might not know your brand. But they know their preferred payment solution.

If you offer Klarna in Sweden, iDEAL in the Netherlands, or Vipps in Norway, you send a clear message: "We understand you and you can shop here safely." The absence of local payment methods is one of the primary reasons foreign customers abandon checkout without completing their purchase.

Which payment methods are most popular in Europe?

The most popular payment methods in Europe are spread across credit cards, digital wallets, Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), and strong national alternatives. The exact mix depends directly on the specific market and target group.

  • Credit and debit cards: Still the most widespread form of payment across the EU, with high penetration in both physical and online stores.
  • Mobile Wallets: Solutions like Apple Pay and Google Pay are experiencing strong growth, particularly among users who prefer mobile payments.
  • Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL): Services like Klarna and Anyday are gaining market share, especially within fashion and lifestyle, where flexible payment options are in demand.
  • National payment solutions: Local payment methods such as Swish (Sweden), Vipps (Norway), MobilePay (Denmark/Finland), and iDEAL (Netherlands) enjoy high consumer trust and hold dominant market shares.

What must an international payment solution be able to do?

An international payment solution must handle multi-currency transactions, offer a dynamic checkout, comply with local regulations, and ensure stable processing. These four pillars minimize friction and ensure high conversion rates across borders.

When choosing a payment gateway for international sales, there are four key requirements the solution must meet:

Multi-Currency Handling

Customers want to shop and see prices in their local currency (DKK, SEK, NOK, EUR, GBP, etc.). Your payment gateway must be able to settle and pay out in multiple currencies to avoid expensive exchange fees.

Dynamic Checkout

The checkout window should automatically adapt to the customer's language, country, and most relevant payment methods based on their IP address and location.

Local Compliance and Security

Support for Strong Customer Authentication (SCA / 3D Secure) as well as compliance with GDPR and EU financial directives (including PSD3 readiness).

High Uptime and Low Friction (Reliable Processing)

A fast and simple checkout flow that minimizes abandoned carts and ensures foreign card payments are processed smoothly during peak traffic.


Which future payment trends should your webshop prepare for?

The future of digital payments is driven by mobile wallets, open banking (PSD3), and AI-based checkout personalization. Webshops must be agile to quickly adopt new payment technologies and maintain high conversion rates.

The digital payments market is evolving rapidly. The key trends include:

  • Increasing consumer trust in digital wallets: Driven by mobile-first generations who expect one-click payments.
  • EU focus on open banking and PSD3: Paving the way for direct account-to-account payments and potentially lower fees for webshop owners.
  • Personalized and AI-driven checkout: Checkout modules automatically adapt to the individual visitor's location and display the exact payment methods the customer prefers.

3 things you need to know as a webshop owner

Local payment methods increase conversion

Trust in checkout is the single most important factor for international e-commerce.

Operational reliability and card stability are critical

Foreign card payments require a gateway with high stability and strong performance during peak traffic.

The more local your checkout feels

The higher your success rate will be in export markets.


Do you want to optimize your payment solution for international markets?

If you want to succeed in new markets, your payment strategy must be just as localized as your marketing. It’s all about eliminating friction at checkout – while signaling maximum trust and operational stability.

At pensopay, we help webshops make the most of their payment strategy – both on the sales and cost side. We offer fast payouts, robust integrations, and transparent pricing.

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