After the launch of Android Pay for credit transactions in Belgium in May 2017, Mastercard is bringing mobile payment to another level in the country. As of today, and in partnership with Google, cardholders of two of the biggest Belgian banks – BNP Paribas Fortis Hello Bank, Fintro; and KBC/CBC/KBC-Brussels – will be able to run debit transactions with their smartphone thanks to Maestro: a world first. 

To be able to use this new technology, cardholders need to possess a smartphone with the Android operating system and a Maestro debit card from KBC/CBC/KBC-Brussels or BNP Paribas Fortis, Hello Bank and Fintro. In order to use this innovative digital wallet, customers will simply need to download the Android Pay app free of charge from the Google Play store and load their debit card into it. She/he can then go to one of the many sales outlets equipped with a Near Field Communication (NFC) payment terminal to experience this simple and secure contactless payment method. For any amount under 25€,  the payment will be done automatically. For amounts of 25€ and over, cardholders will be required to unlock their smartphone and authenticate themselves.

For Henri Dewaerheijd, Country Manager Benelux Mastercard, the launch of Android Pay with Maestro is a major milestone for mobile payment in Belgium:  “We are very happy to see that Google and two of the biggest banks in Belgium have taken the contactless journey to a whole new level with the launch of Android Pay with Maestro. Thanks to our Maestro debit solution, Belgian customers from BNPFF or KBC/CBC will from now be on able to pay contactless in all the compatible terminals in Belgium, but also abroad at more than 6,5 million contactless acceptance locations in the world. This is a world first and I am very proud that it takes place in Belgium”.