6 Payment Gateways to Accept International Payments in Europe

Accepting international payments is critical for any business wanting to scale across borders in 2025. Customers expect smooth, secure, and fast transactions in their preferred currency, no matter where they are located. The right international payment gateway helps you reach more clients, avoid high fees, and stay fully compliant with EU rules.

I’m Riten, founder of Fueler, a platform where people get hired for their real work, not just their resumes. In this article, I’ll show you the top gateways for taking global payments in Europe. A strong international payment system is to your business what a sharp portfolio is to your career: your proof of credibility, global reach, and trust with clients and partners.

Why Accepting International Payments Is a Gamechanger

To serve global customers, you need more than just local payment options. Modern European businesses must accept cards, wallets, and bank transfers from every region. To do this seamlessly, you need security, transparent pricing, multi-currency support, and simple integration with your systems.

• Lets you accept payments in multiple currencies and from various countries
• Offers automated currency conversion, saving time and reducing mistakes
• Provides fast settlements to keep your cash flow healthy
• Ensures full compliance with PCI DSS and EU regulatory standards

Why it matters: With the right international gateway, you break down barriers to global sales, build trust with buyers everywhere, and keep growing beyond borders.

1. Stripe

Stripe is a global favorite because it accepts payments from 135+ currencies, links to every major card network, and plugs into e-commerce stores with ease. It offers transparent fees and a powerful dashboard for reporting.

• Multi-currency support and real-time currency conversion
• Wide range of integrations with e-commerce and SaaS platforms
• Advanced fraud protection and recurring billing support
• Seamless onboarding and no monthly fees

Pricing: 1.4% + €0.25 (European cards), 2.9% + €0.25 (non-EU cards), no monthly charge

Why it matters: Stripe’s broad currency range, easy integration, and clear pricing make taking international payments easy for any European business.

2. Adyen

Adyen’s platform is trusted by global brands and local businesses. It supports over 30 currencies and enables you to accept credit cards, PayPal, wallet payments, and even local EU options from a single dashboard.

• Accepts a vast selection of payment types worldwide
• Real-time data insights and robust security features
• Extensive plugins for shopping carts and marketplaces
• Advanced compliance and PCI DSS security

Pricing: Processing fee (typically around 1.4%–2.9%) + fixed fee, varies by method/country

Why it matters: Adyen’s country and currency flexibility let you serve diverse markets, keeping your checkout smooth whether customers are near or far.

3. PayPal

PayPal is a household name and widely recognized by customers everywhere. It lets you take payments in more than 25 currencies and is trusted for both speed and buyer protection.

• Accepts cards, PayPal wallets, and local payment methods globally
• Fast payment acceptance and simple merchant dashboard
• Instant payouts and strong anti-fraud measures
• Integrates with all leading e-commerce platforms

Pricing: 2.9% + €0.35 within EU, up to 4% for currency conversion/FX

Why it matters: PayPal’s reach and recognition boost trust and conversions for international buyers—especially when competing on the global stage.

4. Worldpay

Worldpay stands out for wide coverage, bank connections, and flexible payment types. With multi-currency acceptance and strong security, it helps companies of all sizes transact globally.

• Accepts cards, bank transfers, e-wallets, and alternative methods
• In-depth analytics to track cross-border transactions
• Customizable checkout tools support every device
• Compliant with major EU and international standards

Pricing: Custom, generally starting around 1.5% + per transaction

Why it matters: Businesses benefit from Worldpay’s vast reach and reliability, making it easy to handle large or complex international sales.

5. 2Checkout (Verifone)

2Checkout supports over 200 markets and is built for European merchants looking to go global. It simplifies payments for digital goods, subscriptions, and traditional e-commerce.

• No monthly fees and wide currency acceptance
• Flexible integration for websites and marketplaces
• Strong global tax and compliance support
• Covers payment needs for every major European market

Pricing: Usually 3.5% + €0.25 per transaction

Why it matters: 2Checkout’s reach and affordable pricing empower European businesses to sell worldwide without barriers or ongoing fixed costs.

6. Airwallex

Airwallex is designed for modern European businesses that want the lowest possible FX fees and local settlement. It lets you open multi-currency business accounts and connect with customers, clients, and suppliers across 180+ countries.

• Market-leading currency conversion and interbank FX rates
• Accepts over 160 payment methods globally
• Instant local payouts and easy integration with e-commerce tools
• Advanced security and FCA-regulated

Pricing: 1.3% + fee for local cards, currency conversion at interbank rate + 0.5%–1%

Why it matters: With Airwallex, you turn international payments into local transfers, reducing costs and settlement delays as you expand overseas.

Strategic Note: Proving Global Skills

At Fueler, I see companies trust professionals who have completed real-world projects like “Set up Stripe and Airwallex for global SaaS” quickly. Build your credibility by documenting these assignments, proving you don’t just talk global payments, you deliver results.

Final Thought

With these gateways, European businesses can easily accept international payments, fuel cross-border growth, and keep global customers happy. Always ensure your gateway matches your needs for integration, compliance, and clear fees—then focus on building the business you want, anywhere in the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which payment gateway is best for taking international payments in Europe?

Stripe and Adyen are highly recommended for their multi-currency support and integration with global payment methods.

2. What fees should I expect with international payment gateways?

Expect per-transaction fees (from 1.4% to 3.5%), currency conversion markups, and sometimes additional fees for certain payment types.

3. Can I accept payments from outside the EU with these gateways?

Yes, all listed gateways support non-EU payments and popular cards and wallets from key overseas markets.

4. Is PayPal or Stripe better for global e-commerce in Europe?

Both are strong, but Stripe offers more local EU integrations and developer options, while PayPal provides broad consumer trust.

5. Do these gateways support recurring payments and subscriptions?

Yes, Stripe, 2Checkout, and Adyen all enable easy automated billing for subscription businesses and SaaS models.

What is Fueler Portfolio?

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You can create your portfolio on Fueler, thousands of freelancers around the world use Fueler to create their professional-looking portfolios and become financially independent. Discover inspiration for your portfolio

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