Interchange Fee

What is the interchange fee?

The interchange fee is a per-transaction fee applied to each payment made with a credit or debit card. It is part of the costs merchants bear for accepting card payments and is set by card networks such as Visa or Mastercard, which define the factors influencing its calculation.

This fee is paid between the acquiring bank and the issuing bank, and does not directly depend on the payment processor.

Factors affecting the interchange fee

Interchange fee are not fixed and can vary depending on several elements:

Card type

Credit cards usually have higher rates than debit cards. Additionally, premium, prepaid, or rewards cards typically involve higher fees.

Payment method

In-person transactions at a point of sale usually have lower interchange rates than online or card-not-present payments. This is directly related to the level of risk associated with each transaction.

Merchant category

The sector or activity of the merchant influences the applied rate, as some businesses are considered higher risk.

Transaction amount

When the rate is calculated as a percentage, higher-value transactions generate a higher absolute fee.

Region and local regulations

Some countries or regions set regulatory limits that establish maximum percentages for interchange rates.

Interchange fee models

Payment processors use different models to pass interchange fees to merchants. The main ones are:

Cost-plus fees

The merchant pays the interchange rate set by the card networks plus a margin established by the payment processor. This can be a fixed percentage, a per-transaction fee, or both.

Tiered fees

Transactions are grouped into the following tiers: qualified (standard transactions), mid-qualified (medium-risk transactions), and non-qualified (higher-risk transactions). Each tier has a different fee according to the risk, making costs less predictable.

Flat fees

The merchant pays a fixed percentage or transaction fee regardless of the card type or payment method. This is a simple and predictable model, though usually more expensive in the long run.

Subscription fees

A model where a monthly fee is paid, and lower per-transaction commissions apply. The interchange rate still applies, but the processor’s margin is generally fixed.

Who regulates interchange fee?

Interchange rates are governed by European regulations, mainly through Regulation (EU) 2015/751, which sets the applicable limits across the European Economic Area (EEA). In Spain, the Bank of Spain supervises and ensures compliance with this regulation, making sure banks and acquirers respect the established caps and maintain transparency in applied fees.

Where to consult official fee?

Below are direct links to card network websites where you can download PDFs with updated rates by country, card type, and transaction, including Spain 2025:

• Visa Europe interchange rate fees
• Mastercard Europe interchange rate fees