{"id":15604,"date":"2026-03-05T08:44:29","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T07:44:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/paynopain.com\/?post_type=glosario&p=15604"},"modified":"2026-03-16T09:49:30","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T08:49:30","slug":"interchange-fee","status":"publish","type":"glosario","link":"https:\/\/paynopain.com\/en\/glossary\/interchange-fee\/","title":{"rendered":"Interchange Fee"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/span>What is the interchange fee?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

The <\/span>interchange fee<\/b> is a per-<\/span>transaction<\/span><\/a> 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 <\/span>card networks<\/b> such as Visa or Mastercard, which define the factors influencing its calculation.<\/span><\/p>\n

This fee is paid between the <\/span>acquiring bank<\/b><\/a> and the <\/span>issuing bank<\/b><\/a>, and does not directly depend on the payment processor.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>Factors affecting the interchange fee<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Interchange fee are not fixed and can vary depending on several elements:<\/span><\/p>\n

Card type<\/b><\/h3>\n

Credit cards usually have higher rates than debit cards. Additionally, premium, prepaid, or rewards cards typically involve higher fees.<\/span><\/p>\n

Payment method<\/b><\/h3>\n

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

Merchant category<\/b><\/h3>\n

The sector or activity of the merchant influences the applied rate, as some businesses are considered higher risk.<\/span><\/p>\n

Transaction amount<\/b><\/h3>\n

When the rate is calculated as a percentage, higher-value transactions generate a higher absolute fee.<\/span><\/p>\n

Region and local regulations<\/b><\/h3>\n

Some countries or regions set regulatory limits that establish maximum percentages for interchange rates.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>Interchange fee models<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Payment processors use different models to pass interchange fees to merchants. The main ones are:<\/span><\/p>\n

Cost-plus fees<\/b><\/h3>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tiered fees<\/b><\/h3>\n

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

Flat fees<\/b><\/h3>\n

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

Subscription fees<\/b><\/h3>\n

A model where a monthly fee is paid, and lower per-transaction commissions apply. The interchange rate still applies, but the processor\u2019s margin is generally fixed.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>Who regulates interchange fee?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

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

<\/span>Where to consult official fee?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

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:<\/span><\/p>\n