Germany's Volkswagen Bank is conducting an NFC payments pilot using iPhone 4, 4S and 5 smartphones equipped with an iCarte add-on case. Android NFC phones are due to be added in 2014.

The trial, involving 500 Volkswagen Bank clients, is being carried out in cooperation with Visa Europe and first testing of both the software and hardware components has now taken place.

Customers will be able to use an app to choose whether they want to authenticate all payments with their PIN, or only those over €25 (US$34).