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Setting interchange at the right level is important. Too high, retailers may choose not to accept cards. Too low, issuing banks have no incentive to cover the risks of issuing payment cards. The optimum level also helps ensure issuers and acquirers deliver effective services, and spur innovations in payment solutions.

Interchange rates let electronic payments deliver maximum value at the lowest cost for retailers and consumers, and promotes credit availability for small businesses – driving financial inclusion.

Mastercard intra-EEA fallback POS interchange fees

The Mastercard EEA subregion for purposes of the application of intra-EEA interchange fees includes the following:

  • the Member States of the European Union: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland (including Aland Islands), France (including French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion, Saint Martin [French Part], and Mayotte), Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal (including Azores and Madeira), Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain (including Canary Islands, Ceuta, Melilla), and Sweden
  • Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway (including Svalbard and Jan Mayen); and
  • Andorra (for transactions with above mentioned countries).

 Any changes will be published promptly on this website.