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What is surcharging and how do I explain it to my guests? 

Surcharging Guidelines for Corporate and Non-EEA Credit Cards

1. Short Version for Guests

Card Fees for Corporate and International Credit Cards

Payments with corporate credit cards and credit cards issued outside the EEA incur significantly higher processing costs.
Under EU law (PSD2), part of these costs may be passed on to cardholders.

This fee is not revenue for the restaurant; it is passed on 1:1 to cover actual card processing costs.

For your accounting:
You will receive a restaurant invoice and a terminal receipt. Together, they fully meet German tax requirements and are fully accepted.

2. In-Restaurant Sign / Notice

Information on Credit Card Payments

For payments with corporate credit cards and credit cards issued outside the EEA, an additional fee (surcharge) is charged under the EU Payments Directive (PSD2).
This fee covers higher processing costs only and is passed on without any profit.

For accounting:
Invoice + terminal receipt together serve as a recognized proof of payment.

3. Formal B2B Information (Hotels, Corporate Clients, Business Partners)

Information on Credit Card Fees for Corporate and International Cards

Credit card payments generally incur fees that are borne by the restaurant.
However, for corporate credit cards and cards issued outside the EEA, these fees are significantly higher than for private EU/EEA cards.

According to the European Payments Directive PSD2, in such cases it is permitted to transparently pass a portion of these increased costs on to cardholders. The fee is passed on 1:1, with no markup and no financial benefit for the restaurant.

Invoicing & Accounting

Customers receive:

  1. The restaurant invoice (main service)

  2. The luca terminal receipt (ancillary service “payment processing”)

Together, these documents meet German tax requirements under § 14 UStG and GoBD.
The credit card fee is considered a separate ancillary service and is fully documented by the terminal receipt.

We recommend keeping both documents together to ensure clear traceability.

4. FAQ Text for Website

Why are there additional fees for some credit cards?

All credit card payments incur fees. Private EU/EEA cards may not be additionally charged by law.
However, fees for corporate cards and cards issued outside the EEA are significantly higher. Therefore, the EU Payments Directive (PSD2) allows part of these costs to be passed on.

Does the restaurant profit from this fee?

No. The fee is passed on entirely without markup and solely covers actual processing costs.

Does this apply to all cards?

No.

  • No additional fee: Private EU/EEA cards

  • Fee possible: Corporate credit cards and non-EEA cards

What documents do I receive for accounting?

You will receive two documents:

  1. The restaurant invoice

  2. The terminal payment receipt

Together, they meet German tax requirements (§ 14 UStG, GoBD) and are fully accepted.

How should these documents be stored?

Simply keep both documents together — they belong together and clearly document the main service and the separate ancillary service “payment processing.”