# Can Merchants Charge Extra for Card Payments in Austria? (2026) > Updated June 2026. In Austria, merchants cannot add a surcharge for most card payments. The ZaDiG ban covers consumer debit and credit cards. Learn your rights and what to do if surcharged. Updated: June 6 2026 · By Jules de Bruin · URL: https://www.how-to-austria.com/banking/card-surcharging Updated June 2026. In Austria, **merchants cannot surcharge for most regulated card payments**. The surcharging ban was implemented through the **Zahlungsdienstegesetz (ZaDiG)**, which transposed the EU Payment Services Directive. Card payments also count as **Barumsaetze** for receipt and cash-register rules. If a shop adds an illegal card fee, you can **refuse it, ask for it to be removed**, and report the merchant to the **Arbeiterkammer** or WKO. The ban covers consumer debit and credit cards under EU interchange rules. ## Is Card Surcharging Legal in Austria? No. Since September 2018, the **Zahlungsdienstegesetz (ZaDiG)** prohibits merchants from adding a surcharge when a customer pays with a **consumer debit card or credit card** that is subject to the EU interchange fee regulation. The ban covers cards issued under the **Visa, Mastercard, and Maestro** schemes where the card is a regulated consumer instrument. A merchant who adds a fee is acting contrary to Austrian law. The legal basis is [Section 80 ZaDiG 2018](https://www.ris.bka.gv.at), which implements Article 62 of the EU Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2). The rule applies in shops, restaurants, online checkouts, and any other sales context in Austria. #### Which cards are covered? The ban covers **consumer debit and credit cards** issued under Visa, Mastercard, or Maestro where interchange fees are regulated. It does **not** cover commercial cards, American Express, Diners Club, or non-EU-issued cards, because these are outside the EU interchange regulation. ## Which everyday cards do we recommend? Because Austrian law bans surcharges on consumer cards, choosing a **fee-free debit card** means you pay the sticker price everywhere. **Revolut** gives you interbank FX rates and instant virtual cards at no monthly cost. **N26** offers a free Mastercard debit, a fully **English app**, and **transparent Austrian pricing**, making it ideal for newcomers who want simple daily banking without surprises. Best Everyday ### Revolut 4.5Fee-free everyday spending with interbank FX rates and instant virtual cards. Why we recommend it: Fee-free everyday spending with interbank FX rates and instant virtual cards. Best for: Daily spending and travel Pros - +Interbank FX - +Instant virtual cards - +Fee transparency Cons - −Weekend FX surcharge - −Paid tiers for best limits - Interbank FX - Virtual cards - Spend controls [Get Revolut](https://revolut.com/referral/?referral-code=julesf2not!JUN1-26-AR-RPB-L1&geo-redirect)Best Free ### N26 4.4Free debit card with transparent Austrian pricing and an English app for everyday use. Why we recommend it: Free debit card with transparent Austrian pricing and an English app for everyday use. Best for: Newcomers who want simple, low-fee banking Pros - +Free virtual card - +English app - +Clear pricing Cons - −ATM limits on free tier - −Phone support premium-only - Free virtual debit - English app - Apple/Google Pay [Open N26](https://n26.com/de-at) ## Can a Shop Add a Fee for Credit Card Payment? For most consumer card payments, no. A shop cannot add a **Bearbeitungsgebuehr** (processing fee), a **Kartenzuschlag** (card surcharge), or any other extra charge solely because you pay by card, as long as your card is a **regulated consumer card** under EU law. The merchant may pass costs to you only where the card type falls outside the surcharging ban. What merchants **can** do is set a minimum purchase value for card payments. Austrian law does not prohibit minimum-spend rules, only surcharges. A sign saying **"minimum EUR 10 for card payment"** is legal. A sign saying **"EUR 0.50 card fee applies"** is not, for covered cards. Merchants may also offer a **cash discount**. Reducing the price for cash is distinct from surcharging: it is permitted because the card price remains the headline price and the cash price is the discount, not the other way around. #### Watch for disguised surcharges Some merchants add the card fee as a separate line item labelled "service charge" or "transaction fee". If the charge applies only when you pay by card, it is a surcharge regardless of the label used. You can challenge it on the same legal basis. ## What Counts as a Barumsatz? A **Barumsatz** is any transaction where payment is received immediately at the point of sale, including card payments. Under Austrian tax law and the **Registrierkassenpflicht** (cash-register obligation), merchants whose annual turnover exceeds **EUR 15,000** and whose Barumsaetze exceed **EUR 7,500** per year must record every Barumsatz in a certified cash register and issue a receipt. Card payments are **Barumsaetze** for these purposes. This is confirmed by the [Wirtschaftskammer Oesterreich (WKO)](https://www.wko.at). Whether you pay in cash, by debit card, or by credit card, the merchant must record the transaction and provide a machine-printed or electronic receipt (Beleg) that carries the required mandatory fields. As a customer, you are entitled to request a receipt for any Barumsatz. The merchant is **obliged to issue one** and you are obliged to take it (and carry it until you leave the immediate vicinity of the shop). Failure by the merchant to issue receipts can be reported to the **Finanzamt**. #### What must appear on the receipt? An Austrian **Registrierkassen-Beleg** must show: merchant name and address, date and time, sequential receipt number, item description and price, total amount, tax rate, and the machine-generated QR code (Kassenidentifikationsnummer). Card receipts from the terminal satisfy the receipt obligation when combined with the Registrierkasse print or electronic record. ## What Do You Do If a Merchant Surcharges Illegally? If a merchant adds an illegal card surcharge, you have three practical options. First, **refuse to pay the surcharge** and explain that it is prohibited under ZaDiG. Most merchants are unaware of the ban or are testing whether customers will push back. Second, **ask for the surcharge to be removed** from the invoice before you complete the transaction. Third, if the merchant insists, you can **pay under protest** and then seek reimbursement through the [Arbeiterkammer (AK)](https://www.arbeiterkammer.at). To report a merchant, contact the **Arbeiterkammer** via their consumer-protection hotline or online form. The AK provides free legal advice and can pursue the complaint on your behalf. You can also report the merchant to the [WKO](https://www.wko.at) trade association, which has authority over member businesses. Keep your receipt and a note of the date, time, and exact fee charged as evidence. #### Document the surcharge Take a photo of the price list or receipt showing the card surcharge before you leave the shop. This is your evidence if you pursue a complaint with the **Arbeiterkammer** or a small-claims proceeding. ## Related Guides [### Best Credit Cards in Austria Compare the top credit cards for expats and residents, including free options with travel insurance.](/banking/credit-cards)[### Credit Card Fees in Austria Annual fees, foreign transaction charges, cash withdrawal costs, and what to watch out for.](/banking/credit-card-fees)[### Debit vs Credit Cards in Austria How the Bankomatkarte differs from Visa and Mastercard credit cards in Austria.](/banking/debit-vs-credit-cards)[### Card Disputes in Austria How to dispute an unauthorised charge or billing error on your Austrian card.](/banking/card-disputes) ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Can a cafe in Austria charge extra if I pay by card? No. Austrian law prohibits surcharges on **consumer debit and credit cards** regulated under EU interchange rules. The ban was introduced through the **Zahlungsdienstegesetz (ZaDiG)**. If a cafe adds a card fee, you can **refuse to pay it** and report the merchant to the **Arbeiterkammer**. ### Are there any cards where surcharging is still allowed in Austria? Surcharges remain permitted on payment instruments **not covered by EU interchange regulation**, such as certain **commercial cards**, three-party scheme cards, or non-EU-issued cards. In practice, most **consumer Visa and Mastercard payments**are protected. If you are unsure, check the card's scheme and issuer. ### Does a card payment count as a Barumsatz for tax purposes in Austria? Yes. The **WKO** confirms that card payments count as **Barumsaetze** and must be recorded in the **Registrierkasse**. The merchant must issue a **receipt**. This rule applies to both debit and credit card transactions. ### Where do I report a merchant who added an illegal card fee in Austria? You can report the merchant to the **Arbeiterkammer (AK)** or to the **Wirtschaftskammer Oesterreich (WKO)**. The **AK** offers free consumer advice and can escalate the complaint. You may also contact the **Financial Market Authority (FMA)** if the merchant is a payment service provider itself. ### Does the surcharging ban apply online in Austria? Yes. The **ZaDiG** surcharging ban applies to both **in-store and online transactions**. An e-commerce merchant cannot add a checkout fee for paying with a **consumer Visa or Mastercard**. If a website adds a card surcharge at checkout, you have the same right to refuse and report as you would in a physical shop. --- Source: https://www.how-to-austria.com/banking/card-surcharging Last updated: Updated: June 6 2026 Format: LLM-readable Markdown twin (.md) of the canonical HTML page.