Discount based on method of payment
An enterprise can generally grant a discount to a consumer on the basis of the method of payment. A discount can be granted for paying in a single instalment or for electronic billing.
However, granting a discount is not always appropriate. A discount must not be offered for paying on credit, compared with the price of cash payment, because granting a discount is an inappropriate way to influence a consumer's decision to take credit.
Surcharge based on method of payment
A company may not charge a fee from a consumer:
- for the use of the most common payment cards, such as Visa and MasterCard. This is due to the fact that a fee may not be charged for the use of such payment cards the transmission prices of which are provided for in the decree on transmission price. A fee may not be charged when the payment service providers of both the payer and payee are located within the EU.
- when a customer pays using a SEPA credit transfer or direct debiting. The SEPA credit transfer refers to euro-denominated credit transfers and direct debiting transactions in which the payment service providers of both the payer and payee are located within the EU.
A company may charge a separate payment method surcharge for using a method or means of payment other than the ones mentioned above if at least one commonly used method of payment is offered without a surcharge.
However, the fee charged for the use of other payment methods than those mentioned above must be appropriate and it may not exceed the payee’s actual costs.
The imposition of a surcharge must be stated clearly in advance in the same connection that the acceptability of the method or means of payment is stated.
A surcharge can be billed in cases such as when a consumer asks that instead of paying in cash, a bill should be sent to the consumer's home.