Content Gen Dashboard

On June 15, 2026, Italy's Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) signed a new protocol agreement designed to reduce, clarify, and standardise electronic payment acceptance costs for merchants. The protocol represents a significant development in the government's ongoing effort to promote electronic payment adoption while simultaneously lowering merchant expenses. The agreement, formalised under the permanent working group on electronic transactions established within the Treasury Department, introduces targeted cost reduction measures for different merchant segments. For merchants with annual turnover up to €400,000, the protocol promotes promotional offers to reduce card transaction costs to a maximum of €30. For merchants with turnover between €400,000 and €750,000, specific commercial offers have been established. To enhance transparency and comparability of costs associated with card-based micropayments, payment service providers and payment scheme operators must present their offerings using standardised, uniform, and comparable formats. These standard models will be published online on the National Council for Economics and Labour (CNEL) website. The protocol was signed by the most representative trade associations of payment service providers, payment scheme operators, and merchants. It remains open for accession by additional trade associations and individual operators not affiliated with trade associations. This agreement continues the government's commitment initiated in July 2023 to streamline electronic payment infrastructure and reduce barriers to adoption among Italian merchants. The standardised cost presentation requirement aims to enable merchants to compare offerings more effectively and make informed decisions regarding payment service providers. REFERENCE: Ministry of Economy and Finance press release, June 15, 2026: https://www.mef.gov.it/

On June 15, 2026, Italy's Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) signed a new protocol agreement designed to reduce, clarify, and standardise electronic payment acceptance costs for merchants. The protocol represents a significant development in the government's ongoing effort to promote electronic payment adoption while simultaneously lowering merchant expenses. The agreement, formalised under the permanent working group on electronic transactions established within the Treasury Department, introduces targeted cost reduction measures for different merchant segments. The Protocol sets out the following: Promotes the adoption of promotional offers for merchants with a turnover of up to €400,000 to reduce the impact of card transaction costs by up to €30, and the adoption of specific commercial offers dedicated to merchants with a turnover of more than €400,000 and up to at least €750,000. To clarify and compare the fees charged to merchants for accepting micro-card payments, under the new Protocol, operators will be required to display the costs of their offers in a uniform, clear, and comparable format. To do so, they will use standard templates that will be published online on the National Council for Economics and Labour (CNEL) website. The protocol was signed by the most representative trade associations of payment service providers, payment scheme operators, and merchants. It remains open for accession by additional trade associations and individual operators not affiliated with trade associations.

meta_id 3241787

Generated

Italy's Ministry of Economy and Finance Establishes Protocol to Reduce Point of Sale Payment Costs

Agent draft

Published

Italy's Ministry of Economy and Finance Signs Memorandum of Understanding to Reduce Electronic Payment Cost and Increase Transparency for Merchants