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Since July 1, 2022, companies are obliged to offer at least one form of digital payment, in addition to the option to pay with cash. The company or merchant chooses which digital payment option is offered. This could be a classic payment card terminal, but also mobile applications (such as services such as Payconiq), or the option to pay by transfer may be offered as an alternative to cash.
Cash payments therefore remain possible, but consumers should be able to pay digitally in at least one way in every business since July 2022.
What does this all mean in concrete terms? In these frequently asked questions (FAQ) below, Febelfin answers the most common questions about this obligation for companies.
By company we mean “any natural person or legal entity that pursues an economic goal in a sustainable manner, as well as its associations”. This obligation therefore applies not only to companies in the ordinary sense of the word, such as traders or supermarkets, but also to the liberal professions and all persons, associations, boards, etc., who carry out economic activities in relation to consumers. So pharmacists, doctors, dentists, lawyers, etc. also fall under this heading.
A complete overview of the companies that fall under this obligation can be found on the FPS Economy website.
No. The obligation to provide an electronic means of payment only applies to consumers (in a B2C relationship) and not to payments made between companies (in a B2B relationship). The company must provide the consumer with an electronic means of payment when the payment in euros takes place in the simultaneous physical presence of the consumer and the company.
An electronic payment method is a payment method other than coins and banknotes, provided by a payment provider. Examples of electronic payment methods are: the provision of a payment card terminal, smartphone applications (such as Payconiq), contactless payments, the option to pay by transfer, etc. This concept has been deliberately interpreted broadly in order to respond to technological developments in the field of payments. .
The following means of payment are not considered electronic means of payment within the meaning of the law: meal vouchers, eco-cheques and consumption vouchers, even when payment is made by card. Cryptocurrency and virtual coins are also not considered an electronic payment method. If a company therefore only accepts cash and, for example, meal vouchers, it does not comply with the obligations of the law.
No. The company is free to choose the electronic payment method(s) it makes available and cannot be obliged to offer a specific payment method. It is of course in the interest of both the company and the consumer that the electronic payment methods made available are sufficiently accessible.
It is important that each company individually carefully considers which payment solution to choose, depending on the profile of the consumers (e.g. tourists), the number of transactions, large or small amounts of payments, the preference for a fixed or mobile solution, the rental or purchase of a terminal, one-off and recurring costs, etc.
No. It is not permitted to charge consumers for the use of an electronic payment method.
No. If a consumer wishes to pay electronically, even for a small amount, this must be possible. The law does not provide for exceptions in that regard.
The obligation comes into effect on July 1, 2022.
The law provides for a penalty in case of non-compliance.
Other questions?
Do you have any further questions that are not answered in this FAQ? Then you can always contact (info.eco@economie.fgov.be).