Accepting card payments: POS and online

More and more customers in Kosovo pay by card, especially young people, tourists and the diaspora. A business that only takes cash loses sales, especially for larger amounts. Accepting cards is simpler than it looks.

Why it's worth it#

• More sales: customers buy more when they aren't limited by the cash in their pocket.
• Less cash in the till: less risk of theft and mistakes.
• Better records: every payment appears on the bank statement, which helps with bookkeeping, loans and an ATK audit.
• Foreign customers: tourists and the diaspora often don't carry euros.

Ways to accept cards#

Method	For whom	Note
POS terminal	Shops, cafés, restaurants, services	The most common option
POS on a phone	Mobile services, small traders	The phone accepts contactless cards, where the bank offers it
Online payment gateway	Online shops, bookings	Integrated into your website
Payment link	Social media orders, invoices	The customer pays through a link

How to get a POS terminal#

1. A business bank account. See The business bank account.
2. An application at the bank, with the registration certificate, the owner's or authorised person's documents and details of the premises.
3. The merchant agreement, setting out fees, how quickly money reaches your account and the rules for refunds.
4. Installation and training.

What to compare between banks#

• The transaction fee (a percentage), sometimes different for domestic and foreign cards.
• The monthly fee or terminal rental.
• Settlement time: how many days after a payment the money arrives.
• Accepted cards (Visa, Mastercard, sometimes others).
• Contactless and phone payments.
• Technical support when the terminal stops working.

Fees are negotiable. When your card turnover grows, ask for a new offer.

The fiscal receipt#

A card payment does not replace the fiscal receipt. Issue a fiscal receipt for every sale, whether the customer pays cash or card. Some fiscal tills connect directly to the POS terminal. See Fiscalisation in Kosovo.

Bank fees and POS commissions are deductible expenses when you're taxed on profit. See Tax-deductible expenses.

Online payments#

For an online shop, card payments are essential. The usual options are:

• a bank payment gateway in Kosovo, integrated into your website;
• licensed payment providers that work with merchants from Kosovo.

Watch out: some well-known international platforms don't fully accept businesses registered in Kosovo. Check before building your shop around them. The other steps are in How to start an online business.

Refunds and disputes#

• A refund for a card purchase is usually made through the terminal, to the same card.
• If a customer disputes a payment with their bank, you'll be asked for proof of sale: the receipt, invoice, proof of delivery. Keep them.

Tell your customers#

Many customers check whether they can pay by card before they come. On Kerko you can add payment methods to your business profile once you verify your business.