European payments company Nexi has announced new partnerships with JCB and UnionPay International to expand contactless payment acceptance across public transportation in Italy’s Campania region, including Naples.
The agreements will allow international travelers using JCB and UnionPay cards or supported devices to pay directly for public transport through contactless tap-to-pay technology, removing the need for separate tickets or local payment methods.
For Nexi, the partnerships further strengthen its position in European payments infrastructure while expanding its relationships with two of the world’s largest international card networks outside Visa and Mastercard.
JCB has a particularly strong presence among Japanese consumers, while UnionPay operates one of the world’s largest card networks and serves a significant customer base in China. Both groups represent important international tourist markets for Italy, particularly for destinations such as Naples and the wider Campania region.
The move also reflects the continued growth of open-loop transit payments, where passengers can use their existing payment cards or mobile wallets directly at transport gates and terminals instead of relying on traditional ticketing systems.
By integrating JCB and UnionPay International into transit infrastructure, Nexi is helping make public transportation more accessible for international visitors while giving both payment networks additional acceptance across a major European travel destination.
For JCB and UnionPay, the partnerships provide an opportunity to expand their European payment acceptance without building independent infrastructure, leveraging Nexi’s existing payments network and relationships with local transport operators.
