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Recurring Credit Card Payments (en)

Applying for recurring credit card payments

Would you like to charge your customers periodically by credit card? Recurring credit card payments allow you to process repeat payments with the cardholder's consent, for example for subscriptions, memberships or other recurring services.

Additional requirements apply to recurring credit card payments. Visa and Mastercard have specific rules governing how you inform customers, record their consent, process payments and allow subscriptions to be cancelled.

This page explains what you need to arrange in advance, which card scheme requirements you must meet and how to apply for recurring credit card payments with PAY.


Requirements for recurring credit card payments

To apply for recurring credit card payments with PAY.:

  • you must have at least a Business package;
  • credit card payments must be requested as a payment method for the relevant sales location(s);
  • your website and subscription process must comply with the additional Visa and Mastercard requirements for recurring payments.

These requirements are designed to ensure that cardholders are clearly informed in advance and knowingly consent to future payments.


How do you apply for recurring credit card payments?

1. Apply for credit card payments
First, apply for credit card payments for the sales location(s) where you want to use recurring payments.

2. Apply for recurring payments
Then email boarding@pay.nl and state that you would also like to use recurring credit card payments for the relevant sales location(s).

3. Review of your application
Your application will then be reviewed. As part of this process, we may check whether your subscription and checkout process complies with the applicable requirements for recurring credit card payments.

4. Processing your application
Reviewing and completing your application may take several days. Thank you in advance for your understanding.


Additional Visa and Mastercard requirements

Visa and Mastercard impose additional requirements on merchants offering recurring credit card payments. You should take these requirements into account when designing your checkout and subscription process.


1. Display the subscription terms directly at checkout

When your customer enters their credit card details, the key subscription terms must be clearly and prominently displayed.

At a minimum, you must state:

  • the amount to be charged;
  • how often the customer will be charged, for example monthly;
  • that payments will recur until the subscription is cancelled;
  • the cancellation terms and how to cancel the subscription.

For example:

"You will be charged €9.95 per month until you cancel your subscription."

The terms must be displayed directly on the payment and/or order page. Simply linking to another page or hiding the terms behind an expandable element is not sufficient.


2. Obtain the customer's active consent

Before completing the order, the cardholder must actively agree to the subscription terms.

For Mastercard, you are required to retain time-stamped evidence of both the subscription terms presented and the cardholder's active consent provided by means of a checkbox.

You must therefore be able to demonstrate:

  • which subscription terms were presented to the customer;
  • the agreed amount and billing frequency;
  • which cancellation terms were presented;
  • that the customer actively selected the checkbox;
  • the date and time at which consent was provided.

Keep this evidence carefully. In addition to meeting the scheme requirement, this documentation is important if a cardholder disputes a payment. Properly documented terms and demonstrable consent provide evidence that can be used to challenge a dispute or chargeback.


3. Additional information for trial periods

Do you offer a free or discounted trial period that automatically converts into a paid subscription? If so, additional requirements apply.

Before the customer subscribes, you must clearly disclose:

  • whether any initial charges apply;
  • the length of the trial period;
  • the amount that will be charged after the trial;
  • how often that amount will subsequently be charged;
  • how the customer can cancel the subscription.

For example:

"You will be charged €2.99 today for a 30-day trial. After the trial ends, you will be charged €19.99 per month until you cancel your subscription."

Additional notification requirements may apply to certain trial and negative-option models, such as sending a reminder before a trial converts into a paid subscription.


4. Send a subscription confirmation immediately

Once the customer has subscribed, you must immediately send a confirmation by email or another electronic communication method.

At a minimum, this confirmation must include the agreed subscription terms and clearly explain how the customer can cancel the subscription and thereby withdraw their consent to future recurring payments.


5. Make online cancellation easy

Customers must be able to cancel their subscription easily online or electronically.

For example, you can provide a clearly visible "Manage subscription" or "Cancel subscription" option in the customer's account or on your website. Clear cancellation instructions that are easy to find online are also acceptable.

You should also record the exact date and time of each cancellation request and ensure that no further subscription payments are initiated after a valid cancellation.

This record may also provide important evidence in the event of a dispute or chargeback.


6. Send timely reminders for less frequent payments

If a customer is charged once every six months or less frequently, for example once a year, an electronic reminder must be sent before the next charge.

This reminder must be sent at least 7 and no more than 29 days before the next payment and must include, among other things, the subscription terms and instructions for cancelling the subscription.


7. Inform customers about completed payments

After a successful recurring payment, it is advisable to send an electronic payment confirmation containing, among other things:

  • the amount charged;
  • the reason for the charge;
  • information on how to manage or cancel the subscription.

Depending on your subscription model, additional card scheme requirements may apply.


Checklist before applying for recurring payments

Before submitting your application, check that:

  • you have at least a Business package;
  • credit card payments have been requested for the relevant sales location(s);
  • the amount, billing frequency and subscription terms are directly visible during checkout;
  • the customer actively agrees via a checkbox before completing the subscription;
  • you record and retain time-stamped evidence of the terms presented and the customer's consent;
  • any trial periods and the charges that apply afterwards are clearly explained;
  • the customer receives a subscription confirmation immediately after signing up;
  • the subscription can be cancelled easily online or electronically;
  • the date and time of cancellation are recorded;
  • where applicable, a reminder is sent in good time before the next payment.


Ready to apply for recurring credit card payments?

Have you implemented all of the above? Apply for credit card payments for your sales location(s) and then email boarding@pay.nl to let us know that you would also like to use recurring credit card payments.

Once we receive your request, we will review your application. Correct and complete implementation of these requirements is necessary for recurring credit card payments to be approved. If the requirements have not been properly implemented, your application may be declined. Please also note that reviewing and processing your application may take several days.

Thank you in advance for your understanding.