Ireland’s digital payments landscape takes a significant step forward on Tuesday 10 March 2026 with the launch of Zippay, a new in‑app mobile payment service developed by European paytech leader Nexi. The service will be introduced by AIB, Bank of Ireland and PTSB, bringing streamlined peer‑to‑peer payments to an estimated 5 million Irish banking customers through their existing mobile apps.
Zippay enables users to send, request and split payments simply by selecting contacts directly from their phone’s address book, so long as the recipient is also enrolled in the service. There’s no need to top up a digital wallet or download a separate app, meaning transactions are quick, seamless and embedded into everyday banking experiences.
“Partnering with Irish retail banks to bring Zippay to market allows us to further accelerate the evolution of digital payments in Europe. This launch represents an important endorsement of our expertise in developing innovative Account‑to‑Account solutions, leveraging the Group’s capabilities and experience,” said Renato Martini, Digital Banking Solutions Director at Nexi Group.
The roll‑out will occur in phases as banks progressively activate the feature in their mobile banking platforms. Once launched, Zippay will also be open to other Irish financial institutions that offer IBAN‑based accounts and mobile apps, providing broader choice for consumers.
Brian Hayes, Chief Executive of Banking & Payments Federation Ireland, highlighted the service’s simplicity: “Starting on 10 March, customers will gradually see Zippay appear in their Irish mobile banking apps. … Customers will be able to send up to €1,000 per day and request up to €500 per transaction. There is no need to top up a digital wallet or download a separate app: Zippay uses the mobile numbers stored in the users contact list…”
Zippay’s launch comes amid strong growth in mobile banking and digital payments across Ireland. New figures from the Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) reveal that almost 60% of contactless payments in the first half of 2025 were made using mobile wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, marking a significant shift from traditional cards. Over 1.6 billion contactless payments, worth about €28.3 billion, were recorded across shops and outlets in the 12 months to June, with mobile wallet transactions continuing to rise year on year.
This trend reflects Irish consumers’ growing preference for mobile financial tools and digital payments — a market where Zippay is positioned to make an impact by combining convenience, security and broad accessibility. As mobile wallets and in‑app services gain traction, Nexi and its banking partners aim to keep pace with evolving customer expectations and drive further innovation in the payments space.
