Why is my Canadian virtual Visa debit card not working for Apple Pay transactions in Spain?

Question

Level 1

4 points

Why is my Canadian virtual Visa debit card not working for Apple Pay transactions in Spain?

Issue with Canada Virtual Visa Debit Card Transactions in Spain via Apple Pay

Hello apple community,

I am a customer with a Canadian Virtual Visa Debit Card linked to my checking account.

Previously, this card worked perfectly for both online purchases and in-store payments (including contactless via Apple Pay) in Spain and Canada.

The issue started after I temporarily changed the region on my iPhone to Spain to download some apps. When I changed it back to Canada, updated the iPhone, and re-added the card to Apple Wallet (receiving confirmation that it is active), it still fails to work in most grocery stores, like Lidl.

I called my bank and they checked my account and my card from their side was no issue.

Who can help me with that problem?!

Online payments using the card details are working fine.
The card successfully processed a payment at Starbucks in the airport.
It consistently fails at all local grocery retailers like Lidl.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Canadian Virtual Visa

Posted on Nov 16, 2025 6:57 AM

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Answer 1

Jeff Donald

Level 8

44,250 points

Nov 16, 2025 10:42 AM in response to OleksP

When a transaction is initiated, a dynamic, one time use only token is created and transmitted via NFC to terminal. The merchants POS system sends transaction information along with the token to the Payment Network Operator (Visa, Mastercard etc.). The PNO decrypts the data, verifies merchant, card details, fraud potential etc. and re-encrypts the data and sends the information to the bank. Bank reviews information and approves or declines the transaction and sends data back through the network to the merchant’s POS.

At no point in time is Apple made aware of the transaction, reasons for decline or approval or any information about the transaction.

Does the bank even see the initial payment attempt using Apple Pay? Does the decline show in the transaction history in the Wallet app? If the bank doesn’t even see the attempt, either the merchant or PNO is preventing transaction.

Some countries have limits on the amount of a transaction involving an electronic wallets. It’s possible the transaction amount exceeded the limit.

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Answer 2

Jeff Donald

Level 8

44,250 points

Nov 16, 2025 8:49 AM in response to OleksP

What does the transaction terminal display when a payment fails?

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Answer 3

OleksP Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 16, 2025 9:06 AM in response to Jeff Donald

It just says payment canceled, in Spanish and that's it. In Apple Pay, it tells me the payment was declined, even though I paid with the same card at the same store.

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