France Mobile Payment Users 2019

Executive Summary

People in France were early adopters of smart payment cards, including chip-and-PIN and contactless technology. That has stifled proximity mobile payment adoption, with just 15.6% of France’s smartphone users expected to pay with their phone in-store in 2019.

How many people in France use proximity mobile payments?

We expect 6.6 million people in France, or 15.6% of smartphone users, to make an in-store mobile payment at least once every six months in 2019. By 2023, more than one-fifth of smartphone users will use proximity mobile payments, but that’s still the second-lowest penetration rate in Europe and one of the lowest worldwide.

What are the leading proximity mobile payment service providers?

Samsung is the most popular smartphone brand in France, so it makes sense that Samsung Pay is one of the top proximity mobile payment apps. Apple Pay and Google Pay are also available, but there are some prominent local payment services as well. They include Paylib, Lyf Pay and Orange Cash, though the latter will shut down in November 2019.

Why has usage lagged in France?

France was a pioneer in smart card technology and the first country worldwide to introduce chip-and-PIN payment cards. Contactless cards are now also widely available, and that has held back adoption of mobile payment alternatives. Few consumers feel they need a second contactless payment option, particularly when there is a cap on spending and a limit on the number of daily transactions.

What opportunities are there for proximity mobile payments in France?

The transit systems in France have so far been an untapped (pun intended) opportunity for proximity payments, but the launch of a new digital payment system in Paris may change that. It’s also possible that the growing levels of mobile buyers and bankers could lead to further adoption as consumers become more comfortable conducting financial transactions on their phones.

WHAT’S IN THIS REPORT? This report provides an overview of the proximity mobile payment landscape in France, including adoption trends and key players. It also includes our forecast for proximity mobile payment users in France through 2023.

KEY STAT: Only 15.6% of smartphone users in France will make a proximity mobile payment in 2019, and that figure will rise to just 20.7% in 2023, according to our latest forecast.