Electronic payments even easier and safer

Some time ago, very important changes to the EU Directives on Payment Services and Payment Accounts and other EU legislation came into force to improve the security and convenience of online payments.

What do these changes in the law mean for you?

They will not only make the electronic payments you make safer and more convenient, but also cheaper. Here are some examples:

• if you pay with a card issued in the EU - you may not be charged additional costs;
• every person legally resident in the EU has the right to have a bank account for making electronic payments - to be provided free of charge or for a reasonable fee;
• One euro account is sufficient to make all payments throughout Europe.

From now on cross-border payments in euro will cost you the same as domestic payments in euro - making it much more efficient and easier, for example, to shop in foreign online shops.

Anyone travelling in EU countries will also be pleased to know that cash withdrawals in euro from ATMs not belonging to the network of the bank where you have an account should cost the same as in your home country.

The changes also impose on payment recipients information obligation, so that you always have the right to know what charges - if any - apply to your payments.

New EU rules ensure that your electronic payments are processed smoothly. In the event of a problem, your bank or other payment service provider must respond to your complaint within 15 working days. If you are not satisfied with the proposed solution, you can seek assistance from your national competent authority.

All the changes and their effects are described in a special brochure that you can download by clicking on the link below - which we encourage you to do.