Ordinance No 3 of the BNB on the Terms and Procedure for Opening Payment Accounts, Executing Payment Transactions and Using Payment Instruments

Ordinance No 3 of the BNB 1
Ordinance No 3* of the BNB of 18 April 2018 on the Terms and Procedure for Opening Payment Accounts, Executing Payment Transactions and Using Payment Instruments (published in the Darjaven Vestnik, issue 37 of 4 May 2018; amended, Darjaven Vestnik, issue 50 of 2019; amended, Darjaven Vestnik, issue 38 of 2020 ; amended, issue 23 of 2021; amended, issue 83 of 2022; amended, Darjaven Vestnik, issue 49 of 2024; amended, issue 88 of 2025)
Chapter One
SUBJECT
Article 1. This Ordinance shall govern:

opening and keeping payment accounts;
requirements to the execution of payment transactions and corrective transfers;
requirements to the execution of payment transactions through payment and
prepaid cards;
calculation and application of reasonable fees charged for services on payment
accounts with basic features;
the list of the most representative services linked to a payment account, the
operation of the fee comparison websites, the form and content of the fee information document and the statement of fees;
requirements to managing operational and security risks in providing payment
services;
reporting requirements to payment service providers and electronic money
issuers;
(new; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 50 of 2019) the procedure for exemption of an
account servicing payment service provider from the obligations to maintain a contingency mechanism and implement a strong customer authentication.

Unofficial translation provided for information purposes only. The Bulgarian National Bank bears no
responsibility whatsoever as to the accuracy of the translation and is not bound by its contents.

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Chapter Two
PAYMENT ACCOUNTS
General Provisions
Article 2. (1) A payment account shall mean an account held in the name of one or
more payment service users, which is used for the execution of payment transactions. (2) Payments from payment accounts may be made only by order of, or with the prior consent of the holder, up to the amount and under the terms and conditions specified by the account holder. (3) Paragraph 2 shall not apply in cases of forced collection under the procedure set by law. (4) Payment accounts shall be opened after signing a framework contract for providing payment services between the payment service provider and the payment service user in compliance with the requirements of Chapter Four, Section III of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems. (5) (new; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 50 of 2019) Upon conclusion of a framework contract for providing payment services or execution of a single payment transaction, which is not subject to a framework contract, at the place of the payment service provider or through an electronic statement, electronic document or electronic signature, or another form without the presence of the payment service user, the payment service provider shall implement due diligence measures to the payment service user in compliance with the requirements of Chapter Two of the Law on Measures Against Money Laundering and its implementing rules. (6) (previous paragraph 5; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 50 of 2019) The payment service provider may refuse to conclude the contract under paragraph 4 without stating the reasons for the refusal, except for the cases under Article 119, paragraph 5 of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems. Providing Information before Signing a Contract
Article 3. (1) Before signing the contract under Article 2, paragraph 4, the payment
service provider shall provide the payment service user with preliminary information under Article 60 of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems. (2) The preliminary information under paragraph 1 shall be provided in the form of general terms and conditions or a draft framework contract. (3) Providing preliminary information shall not give rise to an obligation to conclude a contract between the payment service provider and the person to whom the information has been provided. Unique Identifier of a Payment Account
Article 4. (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 50 of 2019, effective as of 1 January 2020) (1) Payment service providers shall assign an International Bank Account

Ordinance No 3 of the BNB 3
Number (IBAN) to payment accounts held by them in accordance with the requirements laid down by an ordinance of the BNB, where these accounts may be used for the execution of credit transfer transactions or direct debit transactions to and from a payment account with another payment service provider. (2) Payment accounts held by a payment service provider shall not be assigned an International Bank Account Number (IBAN) containing a BAE code of another payment service provider. Opening of a Payment Account
Article 5. (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 50 of 2019) (1) A legal entity willing
to open a payment account shall provide the payment service provider with the following documents and information:

a unique identification code or a BULSTAT code;
a statement of the Articles of Association of the person opening the account
which shall establish the powers to dispose with his property;
(amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 50 of 2019) a current certificate of registration of the person who opens the account, which certifies the persons managing
and representing the holder, and their personal data according to the official identity documents;
(amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 50 of 2019) a letter of attorney, if any, by
which the person/persons managing and representing the holder authorize another person/persons to dispose of the funds on the account on behalf of the holder; the signature of the authorizer shall be affixed in the presence of a person authorized by the payment service provider or shall be notary legalized;
(amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 50 of 2019) personal data according to an
official identity document and specimens of the signatures of the persons authorized to dispose of the money on the account; the signatures shall be affixed in the presence of a person authorized by the payment service provider or shall be notary legalized. (2) A natural person willing to open a payment account shall provide the payment service provider with the following documents and information:
(amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 50 of 2019) personal data of the account
holder according to an official identity document;
a letter of attorney, if any, by which the holder authorizes another person/persons
to dispose of the money available on the account on behalf of the holder; the signature of the authorizer shall be affixed in the presence of the person authorized by the payment service provider or shall be notary legalized;
(amended, Darjaven Vestnik, issue 50 of 2019) personal data according to an
official identity document and specimens of the signatures of the persons authorized to dispose of the money on the account; the signatures shall be affixed in the presence of a person authorized by the payment service provider or shall be notary legalized.

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(3) Changes in the documents under paragraphs 1 and 2 shall have effect in relation to the payment service provider holding the account only from the moment he was notified thereof in writing by the authorized person. (4) The documents under paragraph 1, items 2 and 3 and the documents of any changes thereto may not be provided by the persons who are registered in the commercial register, unless otherwise agreed with the payment service provider in the framework contract. (5) The payment service provider may also require other documents for opening and keeping the payment account, of which it shall notify in advance the person who opens the account. (6) The payment service provider with which the account is opened shall negotiate with the person to whom an account is opened the manner in which the account balance information will be provided. (7) (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 83 of 2022) Upon conclusion of a framework contract using a means of distance communication for executing payment transactions and drawing up a remote power of attorney under paragraph 1, item 4 and paragraph 2, item 2, a specimen of the signature of the account holder and of the persons entitled to dispose of the money on the account may not be required where the payment account is accessible only for electronic payment transactions. In drawing up a remote power of attorney under paragraph 1, item 4 and paragraph 2, item 2, a qualified electronic signature may be used in line with the Law on Electronic Document and Electronic Certification Services and Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market and repealing Directive 1999/93/EC. If the title holder chooses his account to be administered at the place by initiating payment transactions on paper, he shall submit the documents and information under paragraph 1 or paragraph 2, respectively. Accounts Held by Banks
Article 6. (1) Payment accounts held by banks shall be used for the execution of
payment transactions and money storage.
(2) Banks may maintain other types of money storage accounts which are serviced under the terms and conditions set forth by contract. (3) A requirement for maintaining minimum availability on the accounts under paragraphs 1 and 2 may be negotiated. (4) (repealed; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 83 of 2022). (5) Payment accounts held by banks may be:

current accounts: for keeping money payable on sight, without any notice from
the account holder to the bank and for executing payment transactions related to placing, transferring or withdrawing funds;

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2. (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025, effective as of 1 January 2026)
payment accounts with basic features: for keeping money in euro and providing services under Article 118 of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems;
3. electronic money accounts: for keeping electronic money, to which remote access
is provided by the issuer for executing payment transactions;
4. other types of payment accounts which are serviced under the terms and conditions set forth by contract and the effective legislation.
(6) The procedure and manner for opening, keeping and closing accounts of budget organisations, including the limits and conditions under which budget organisations may hold payment accounts, as well as the cases of ex officio opening and closing of budget organisations’ accounts shall be determined by the relevant instructions under
Article 151, paragraphs 1 and 4 and Article 154, paragraph 20 of the Law on Public
Finance.
Closing of a Payment Account
Article 7. (1) A payment account shall be closed in case of termination of the
framework contract on the grounds of which it was opened, while complying with the requirements of Article 63 of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems. A payment account with basic features shall be closed in compliance with the requirements of Article 121 of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems. (2) Upon closing of a payment account, the payment service provider shall reimburse to the holder the remaining funds in the account or those not used for payment transactions.
Chapter Three
PAYMENT TRANSACTIONS REQUIREMENTS
Section I
General Provisions
Payment Order
Article 8. (1) A payment order shall mean any instruction by a payer or payee to
the payment service provider requesting the execution of a payment transaction. (2) The payment order may be given in writing on a hard copy or electronically if agreed between the parties. (3) (effective as of 14 September 2019) In authenticating the payer under Article 100 of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems, the payment service providers shall meet the requirements of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/389 of 27 November 2017 supplementing Directive (EU)2015/2366 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to regulatory technical standards for strong customer authentication and common and secure open standards of communication.

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(4) Payment orders shall be executed in their entirety and in chronological order of their receipt at the payment service provider in accordance with the requirements of
Chapter Five of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems.
(5) (repealed; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025, effective as of 1 January 2026) Execution of Payment Orders
Article 9. (1) In executing a payment order, payment service providers shall use
technical means to ensure compliance with the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems. (2) When submitting a message to a payment system for executing a payment order, the payment service provider shall enter all details of the payment order in accordance with the rules of the relevant payment system. (3) When the payer and the payee have opened payment accounts with one and the same payment service provider, the value date of crediting the payee’s payment account shall be the same business day. (4) A currency of a payment transaction shall be the currency in which a payer has ordered or has given consent for executing this payment transaction. (5) All payment transactions and notifications under Article 75, item 2 of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems shall be registered in a chronological order by the payment service provider in a manner that ensures safe storage and accurate reproduction of information and precludes any subsequent changes and shall be stored for a term provided for in Article 24, paragraph 3 of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems. (6) (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025, effective as of 1 January 2026) Where the payee’s payment account as specified in the order of payment is closed or non-existent, payee’s payment service provider shall refund in full the amount of the non-executed payment transaction until the end of the business day following the day on which the amount was received. (7) The payment service provider may refuse to execute a payment transaction in case of restrictions under the effective legislation, applicable rules for execution of the relevant payment transaction and contractual terms under which the account is held. (8) (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025) Payment service users, electronic money holders and other interested parties may file complaints and alerts with the BNB concerning alleged violations by payment service providers or electronic money issuers, as referred to in Article 167, paragraph 2 of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems. The Deputy Governor heading the BNB Banking Department shall determine in instructions the procedure for filing and handling of complaints. Availability on the Account
Article 10. (1) (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 83 of 2022) The payment order
may be executed only up to the amount of the availability on the bank account, up to the amount of the funds provided by the user for executing the payment transaction

Ordinance No 3 of the BNB 7 or up to the amount of the contracted loan, if any, or under the conditions referred to in Article 13 of the Law on Consumer Credit. No partial transfers shall be allowed on individual payment orders. (2) If the conditions under paragraph 1 are not met, the payment service provider shall refuse to execute the payment order, and Article 84 of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems shall apply.
Section II
Corrective Transfers
General Provisions
Article 11. (1) Within the time limits under Article 96 of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems, the payer’s payment service provider may request from
the payee’s payment service provider, or the payee’s payment service provider may, on its own initiative, make an ex officio corrective transfer in case of a defectively executed payment transaction where the payee’s payment service provider has credited an account with a unique identifier other than that specified by the payer in the payment order, or has credited the payee’s account with an amount other than that specified by the payer in the payment order, or where the payer’s payment service provider has debited the payer’s account with an amount other than that specified by the payer in the payment order, or in case of a duplicate execution of an authorized payment transaction. (2) The ex-officio corrective transfer shall be in an amount by which the payment account restores its state in which it would be without the defectively executed transaction, but no more than the funds that are available or will be credited to the account within the term set out in Article 96, paragraph 3 of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems. (3) The ex-officio corrective transfer may be executed irrespective of the restrictions in the effective legislation or in the payment service contract as far as funds received as a result of the defectively executed payment order do not belong to the account holder. (4) In executing an ex-officio corrective transfer, no fees and commissions shall be collected from the customers. Liability of the Payer’s Payment Service Provider for a Non-executed or Defectively Executed Payment Transaction
Article 12. (1) Where the payer’s payment service provider has not executed or
has defectively executed a payment transaction, he shall without undue delay refund to the payer the amount of the non-executed or defectively executed payment transaction and, where applicable, restore the payer’s payment account to the state in which it would have been without the defectively executed transaction.

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(2) Where the payer’s payment service provider has defectively executed a payment transaction with the funds incorrectly credited to an account with a unique identifier other than that specified in the payment order or where the payee’s account is credited with an amount other than that specified in the payment order or in case of duplicate execution of an authorized payment transaction, the payer’s payment service provider shall have the right to require the payee’s payment service provider to make an exofficio corrective transfer within five business days from the date on which the amount under paragraph 1 was refunded, but not later than one month after he has been notified by the payer or in any other manner about the defectively executed transaction. (3) Where the payment initiation service provider is liable in the cases under paragraph 2, he may make a request for an ex-officio corrective transfer to the payee’s payment service provider directly or through the account servicing payment service provider within the term specified in paragraph 1. (4) In case the payee’s payment service provider refuses to make an ex-officio corrective transfer, he shall notify the payer’s payment service provider thereof stating the reasons for the refusal. Where the payee’s payment service provider doubts the lawfulness of the request for an ex-officio corrective transfer, he may require a copy of the payment order, that is the basis of the payment transaction, and in case of a direct debit a copy of the direct debit authorization. (5)The payee’s payment service provider who has approved the request referred to in paragraph 2, shall make an ex-officio corrective transfer within five days from receipt of the request. (6) In case the funds in payee’s account are insufficient to be debited with the amount of the defectively executed payment transaction or the said account has been closed, the payee’s account servicing payment service provider shall notify the payer’s payment service provider. The payee’s payment service provider may debit payee’s account, if there are funds, up to the amount to be corrected but not later than the time limit specified in paragraph 5. If the funds available in payee’s account are not sufficient to refund the amount to be corrected by the last day of the time limit under paragraph 5, the payee’s account servicing payment service provider shall make an ex-officio corrective transfer in an amount equal to the account balance at that time. Liability of the Payee’s Payment Service Provider for a Non-executed or Defectively Executed Payment Transaction
Article 13. (1) Where the payee’s payment service provider has not executed or
has defectively executed a payment transaction, he shall without undue delay credit the payee’s account as specified in the payment order with the amount of the nonexecuted or defectively executed payment transaction or, in case of duplicate execution of an authorized payment transaction, restore the payee’s payment account to the state in which it would have been without the defectively executed transaction. (2) Where the payee’s payment service provider has defectively executed a payment transaction by crediting an account with a unique identifier other than that

Ordinance No 3 of the BNB 9 specified in the payment order or has credited an account with an amount other than that specified in the payment order or in case of duplicate execution of an authorized payment transaction, the payer’s payment service provider shall have the right to make an ex-officio corrective transfer within five days from the date on which the account was credited or the amount was refunded under paragraph 1. (3)The payee’s payment service provider may debit the payee’s account, if there are funds in that account, up to the amount to be corrected but not later than the time limit specified in paragraph 2. If the funds available in the payee’s account are not sufficient to refund the amount to be corrected by the last day of the time limit under paragraph 2, the payee’s account servicing payment service provider shall make an ex-officio corrective transfer in an amount equal to the account balance at that time.
Section III
Credit Transfer Transactions
Execution of a Credit Transfer in Levs
Article 14. (repealed; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025, effective as of 1 January
2026)
Content of the Payment Order for a Credit Transfer in Levs
Article 15. (repealed; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025, effective as of 1 January
2026)
Execution of a Credit Transfer in a Currency Other Than Levs
Article 16. (repealed; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025, effective as of 1 January
2026)
Section IV
Direct Debit Transactions
Execution of a Direct Debit in Levs
Article 17. (repealed; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025, effective as of 1 January
2026)
Content of the Consent to a Direct Debit in Levs
Article 18. (repealed; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025, effective as of 1 January
2026)
Content of the Payment Order for a Direct Debit in Levs
Article 19. (repealed; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025, effective as of 1 January
2026)

10 Ordinance No 3 of the BNB
Execution of a Direct Debit in a Currency Other Than Levs
Article 20. (repealed; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025, effective as of 1 January
2026)
Executing Payments with Preliminary Consent of the Account Holder
Article 21. In case the payment service provider and the payee are one and the same
person, the payment service provider may collect on a payment account opened with it funds owed by the account holder based on his preliminary written consent. The payment service provider shall notify the account holder of the grounds, size and value date of the amount collected on its payment account.
Section V
Money Remittance Transactions
Money Remittance
Article 22. Money remittance shall be a payment service where funds are provided
by a payer, without any payment accounts being opened in the name of the payer or the payee, for the sole purpose of transferring the corresponding amount to the payee or to another payment service provider acting on behalf of the payee, and/or where such funds are received on behalf of and made available to the payee. Content of the Payment Order for Money Remittance
Article 23. (1) (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025, effective as of 1
January 2026) The payment order for money remittance shall contain information specified by the relevant payment service provider, which must be provided by the payment service user to ensure the accurate execution of the payment order pursuant to Article 54, paragraph 1, item 1 and Article 60, item 2(b) of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems.

(repealed; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025, effective as of 1 January 2026)
(repealed; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025, effective as of 1 January 2026)
(repealed; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025, effective as of 1 January 2026)
(repealed; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025, effective as of 1 January 2026)
(repealed; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025, effective as of 1 January 2026)
(repealed; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025, effective as of 1 January 2026)
(repealed; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025, effective as of 1 January 2026)
(repealed; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025, effective as of 1 January 2026)
(repealed; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025, effective as of 1 January 2026)
(repealed; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025, effective as of 1 January 2026)
(repealed; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025, effective as of 1 January 2026)
(2) (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025, effective as of 1 January 2026) The payment order for money remittance may also contain information other than that specified in paragraph 1, which is necessary to meet the requirements under other legislative acts.

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(3) For the purpose of executing a money remittance provided for in Article 69, paragraph 3 of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems, the payer may provide only information that allows the payment service provider to unambiguously identify the payee and the relevant obligation of the payee’s customer based on an agreement between the payment service provider and the payee. (4) (new; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025, effective as of 1 January 2026) A payment service provider may offer services enabling the automatic payment of recurring utility bills to legal entities through a money remittance, provided that the payer has given explicit consent for the execution of such payments up to a limit predetermined by the payer or has been given the option to additionally confirm the amount of each individual payment. Payment service providers shall provide the payer with the option to change that limit.
Section VI
Other Applicable Requirements
(title amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 83 of 2022) Compliance with the Legal Acts of the European Union
Article 24. (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 83 of 2022) In providing payment
services and executing payment transactions, the payment service providers shall respectively comply with the requirements of:

(amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025) Regulation (EU) 2023/1113 of
the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 May 2023 on information accompanying transfers of funds and certain crypto-assets and amending Directive (EU) 2015/849;
(amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 83 of 2022) Regulation (EU) 2021/1230 of
the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 July 2021 on cross-border payments in the Union;
Regulation (EU) No 260/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council
of 14 March 2012 establishing technical and business requirements for credit transfers and direct debits in euro and amending Regulation (EC) No 924/2009;
Regulation (EU) No 2015/751 of the European Parliament and of the Council of
29 April 2015 on interchange fees for card-based payment transactions;
the delegated regulations and the regulations for implementation of Directive
(EU) 2015/2366 and Directive 2014/92/ЕU;
(amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 50 of 2019; repealed; Darjaven Vestnik,
issue 23 of 2021);
(repealed; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 83 of 2022);
(repealed; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 83 of 2022);
(repealed; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 83 of 2022);
(repealed; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 83 of 2022);

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11. (new; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 83 of 2022; amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue
88 of 2025) the guidelines, recommendations and other measures issued by the EBA, of which the BNB has announced it complies with under Article 16(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1093/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 establishing a European Supervisory Authority (European Banking Authority).
Chapter Four
PAYMENT TRANSACTIONS WITH PAYMENT AND
PREPAID CARDS
Section I
General Provisions
Payment Cards
Article 25. (1) (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 50 of 2019) A payment card
is a type of a personalized payment instrument (debit or credit card), which is used repeatedly for identification of the authorized user of payment services and for remote access to a payment account and/or to a preliminary set credit limit, to be used for executing payment transactions and performing reference services. (2) The payment card shall be owned by the payment service provider, issuer of the card. (3) The payment card shall be used only by the authorized payment service user himself. (4) The payment service provider, issuer of the payment card shall ensure that any card issued by him, has an embedded integrated circuit (chip) used for the authentication of the card when performing payment transactions on ATM and POS terminals. (5) (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 50 of 2019; amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025) The payment card shall be issued for a fixed term. The name of the authorized holder shall be printed on the card. The card’s number and the expiry date may be printed on the card or provided in any other manner by the issuer to the authorized user of payments services. The payment service provider that is the card issuer shall bear the responsibility for personalization of the card. (6) The payment service provider that is the payment card issuer shall ensure that any card issued by him meets the requirements of Article 10, paragraph 5 of Regulation (ЕU) 2015/751 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2015 on the interchange fees for card-based payment transactions. (7) The payment service provider that is the payment card issuer shall provide it to the authorized user of payment services within a period not exceeding ten days from the conclusion of the payment card framework contract. (8) A payment card shall be issued after the conclusion of a payment service framework contract between the payment service provider and the payment service

Ordinance No 3 of the BNB 13 user, subject to the requirements of Chapter Four, Section III of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems. Personalized Security Credentials
Article 26. (1) (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 23 of 2021) The Personal Identification Number (hereinafter referred to as ‘PIN’) of each authorized payment service
user, related to his card, shall be provided by the card issuer. The issuer shall assign a PIN to every authorized payment service user and ensure that it is kept in secrecy. (2) The personal identification number is a personalized security credential and is at least a four-digit number. (3) If the authorized payment service user forgets his PIN, the issuer shall issue a new payment card with a new PIN within the term under Article 25, paragraph 7 or he shall generate a new PIN within the same term. (4) (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 23 of 2021) The card issuer shall provide an opportunity for every authorized payment service user to change his PIN to a new digital combination, of which only he is aware. (5) (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 23 of 2021) For the purpose of executing remote payment transactions through payment cards, the payment service provider that is the payment card issuer may provide to the authorized payment service user personalized security credentials other than PIN to meet the requirements of Article 100 of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems. Transactions through a Payment Card
Article 27. (1) (new; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 50 of 2019) A card-based payment
transaction shall mean a service based on the infrastructure and business rules of a payment card scheme for executing payment transactions by means of any card, terminal, telecommunication, digital or IT devices or software. (2) (previous paragraph 1, amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 50 of 2019) Reference and non-payment operations may also be executed through a payment card. (3) (previous paragraph 2; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 50 of 2019) Payments may be accepted and payment transactions through a payment card may be executed also by a payment service provider other than the payment card issuer. Registration and Safekeeping
Article 28. All transactions executed through a payment card, as well as notifications under Article 75, item 2 of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems
shall be registered and kept by the issuers in accordance with Article 9, paragraph 5.

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Section II
Card-based Transactions through ATM and POS Terminals at Merchant Locations Contractual Relations between the Payment Service Provider and the Merchant
Article 29. (1) Where the POS terminal is located at the merchant other than a
payment service provider, relations between them concerning the service of accepting card-based payments shall be governed by a contract that provides for compliance with the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems and its statutory instruments. (2) The contract under paragraph 1 shall contain at least the following:

types of payment cards through which payment transactions may be executed
with the merchant in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2015/751 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2015 on interchange fees for card-based payment transactions;
applicable procedures and obligations of the merchant in executing card-based
payment transactions, including security procedures;
the term and manner of payments to the merchant by the payment service
provider.
(3) The requirements of paragraphs 1 and 2 shall also apply to virtual Point of Sale (POS) terminals. Refusal to Execute a Card-based Transaction
Article 30. (1) The merchant whose POS terminal is used to execute the payment
may refuse a payment card to be used in case of:
invalidity of the payment card;
a discrepancy between the signature on the payment card and the signature on
the receiving document or the identity document or a lack of signature on the payment card if such is required for its validity;
a refusal on the part of the holder to submit a document confirming his identity
or if the merchant finds that an un authorized person uses the payment card;
inability to obtain confirmation for executing the transaction;
a suspicion of a false or fraudulent payment card;
information provided by the merchant in advance that he does not accept the
relevant payment card in accordance with Article 10, paragraph 4 of Regulation (ЕU) 2015/751 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2015 on interchange fees for card-based payment transactions;
other grounds which do not contradict the effective legislation.
(2) The merchant may retain a payment card on behalf of the issuer in the cases referred to in paragraph 1, items 1, 2, 3 and 5 under the procedure specified in the contract under Article 29.

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Section III
Requirements for Processing of Card-based Transactions Acceptance of Payment Cards and Authorization of Card-based Transactions
Article 31. (1) (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025) Payment service providers licensed in the Republic of Bulgaria and branches of payment service providers
operating on the territory of Bulgaria shall ensure that each ATM and POS financially serviced by them is technically equipped to execute transactions with all payment cards issued by payment service providers and branches of payment service providers operating on the territory of Bulgaria. (2) (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 50 of 2019) Card-based transactions shall be authorized (approved) or refused after a check of the data, parameters and characteristics related to the card, the authorized payment service user and the transaction, as the card expiry date and status, PIN or other personalized security credentials (if required), available balance, limits, etc. (3) (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 23 of 2021) In the event of on-line authorization, the verification referred to in paragraph 2 shall be performed immediately by the card issuer’s authorization system or the servicing processing entity upon receipt of an application for authorisation through the ATM where the payment transaction is executed. (4) In the event of off-line authorization, the verification referred to in paragraph 2 shall be immediately made by the ATM without a check by the card issuer’s authorization system or the servicing processing entity. (5) (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 23 of 2021; amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025, effective as of 1 January 2026) The authorization systems maintained by payment service providers licensed in the Republic of Bulgaria and branches of payment service providers operating on the territory of Bulgaria shall be provided with a direct on-line connection with a system operator of a BNB-licensed settlement finality system processing card-based payment transactions. (6) (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 23 of 2021; amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025, effective as of 1 January 2026; amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025) The system operator referred to in paragraph 5 shall reroute authorization messages of payment card-based transactions between the relevant payment service providers licensed in the Republic of Bulgaria and branches of payment service providers operating on the territory of Bulgaria. (7) (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 23 of 2021; amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025; amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025, effective as of 1 January 2026) ATMs and POS terminals on the territory of Bulgaria financially serviced by payment service providers licensed in the Republic of Bulgaria and branches of payment service providers operating on the territory of Bulgaria shall be provided with a direct or indirect on-line connection with a system operator under paragraph 5.

16 Ordinance No 3 of the BNB
(8) (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025) Payment service providers licensed in the Republic of Bulgaria and branches of payment service providers operating on the territory of Bulgaria shall ensure that each ATM and POS financially serviced by them is technically equipped to execute card-based transactions by means of an integrated circuit (chip). Value Date of Card-based Payment Transactions in Euro (title amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 23 of 2021; amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025, effective as of 1 January 2026)
Article 32. (1) (repealed; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 23 of 2021)
(2) (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 23 of 2021; amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025, effective as of 1 January 2026) The value date of debiting the payer’s payment account or preliminary set credit limit on payment transactions under Article 141a, paragraph 1 of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems shall be the business day on which the issuing payment service provider’s account has been debited by the amount of the payment transaction. (3) (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 23 of 2021; amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025, effective as of 1 January 2026) The value date of crediting the payee’s payment account in payment transactions under Article 141a, paragraph 1 of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems shall be not later than the business day on which the account of a payment service provider accepting card-based payments has been credited by the amount of the payment transaction.
Section IV
Execution of Prepaid Card Transactions
Prepaid Cards
Article 33. (1) A prepaid card shall be a category of personalized payment instrument on which electronic money is stored or which provides remote access to electronic money accounts, and by which payment transactions are executed.
(2) (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025) A prepaid card shall be issued, including in the cases where the name of the authorized user is not printed on the card, after signing a contract provided for in Article 35, paragraph 3 of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems and in accordance with the requirements of the Law on the Measures against Money Laundering. (3) (repealed; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 23 of 2021) (4) (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 50 of 2019; repealed; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 23 of 2021) (5) (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 23 of 2021; amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025) Article 25, paragraphs 2–7, Articles 26–29, Article 30, paragraph 1, items 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7 and paragraph 2, Articles 31 and 32 shall apply to prepaid cards

Ordinance No 3 of the BNB 17 accordingly. Article 30, paragraph 1, items 2 and 3 shall also apply to transactions with a prepaid card on which the name of the authorized user is printed accordingly.
Chapter Five
PAYMENT ACCOUNT WITH BASIC FEATURES
General Provisions
Article 34. (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025, effective as of 1 January
2026) A payment account with basic features shall be a payment account held in euro
through which the services under Article 118 of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems are provided to consumers. Services on a payment account with basic features listed in Appendix No 1 shall be offered to consumers free of charge or for a reasonable fee irrespective of the number of payment transactions on the account. Calculation of an Average Amount of Fees
Article 35. (1) (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025) Banks licensed in the
Republic of Bulgaria and bank branches conducting operations on the territory of Bulgaria that offer payment services to consumers shall submit to the BNB by 31 January of the current year information on the amount of fees charged to consumers as of 31 December of the previous calendar year, for each of the services on current accounts listed in Appendix No 1. Where a bank charges different fees for a service included in
Appendix No 1, it shall submit to the BNB the average amount of these fees.
(2) On the basis of submitted information, the Bulgarian National Bank shall, by the end of February each year, calculate and publish on its website the average amount of fees charged by banks to consumers for the services provided on current accounts listed in Appendix No 1. (3) The average amount of fees under paragraph 2 shall be calculated as an average amount of the fees under paragraph 1 for each of the services listed in Appendix No 1. Where ten or more banks offer any of the services listed in Appendix No 1 on consumer payment accounts with no fee, this service shall be set as free of charge in the average amount of fees published by the BNB. Where any of the services listed in
Appendix No 1 is offered by ten or more banks on consumer payment accounts with
no fee up to a fixed threshold, this service shall be set as free of charge in the average amount of fees published by the BNB up to the calculated average amount of this threshold. Fees on Payment Accounts with Basic Features
Article 36. (1) Banks shall offer the services listed in Appendix No 1 free of charge
or for a reasonable fee no later than 1 June of the current year.
(2) The reasonable fee amount shall be lower than both the average amount published by the BNB under Article 35, paragraph 2 for any of the services listed in

18 Ordinance No 3 of the BNB
Appendix No 1 and the lowest amount of fees charged under a tariff for the relevant
services on payment accounts.
(3) In case of a change in the amount of fees for services on payment accounts with basic features, as listed in Appendix No 1, banks shall notify consumers under the procedure and time limits provided for in Article 62 of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems. (4) Banks shall offer the services on a payment account with basic features listed in
Appendix No 1, where they offer them to consumers on payment accounts other than
accounts with basic features.
(5) Services other than those listed in Appendix No 1 may also be provided on a payment account with basic features, and this Article shall not apply to them. Information on a Payment Account with Basic Features
Article 37. (1) Banks providing payment accounts with basic features shall take
adequate measures to raise awareness among the public about the availability of payment accounts with basic features. (2) Measures under paragraph 1 shall include at least provision of an information leaflet on payment account with basic features and applicable fees for services thereon available at all times, the content of which is in compliance with Appendix No 2. (3) The information leaflet shall be provided on paper at banks’ premises accessible to consumers, and in electronic form via banks’ websites. (4) Banks may also include in the information leaflet information on services on payment accounts with basic features other than those listed in Appendix No 1, if this does not affect the clear and accurate presentation of the information.
Chapter Six
FEE COMPARISON WEBSITES, FEE INFORMATION
DOCUMENT AND STATEMENT OF FEES
List of the most Representative Services Linked to a Payment Account
Article 38. (1) The Bulgarian National Bank shall adopt and publish a national list
of the most representative services linked to a payment account, according to Appendix No 3, which shall contain national and, where applicable, standardised Union-level terms pursuant to Commission Delegated Regulation (ЕU) 2018/32 of 28 September 2017 supplementing Directive 2014/92/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to regulatory technical standards for the Union standardised terminology for most representative services linked to a payment account. (2) The list referred to in paragraph 1 shall be reviewed and, where necessary, updated not earlier than four years after its publication.

Ordinance No 3 of the BNB 19
Fee Information Document and Glossary
Article 39. (1) In good time before the consumer is bound by a contract for a
payment account, payment service providers shall provide the consumer with a fee information document on paper or another durable medium in accordance with Article 103 of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems. (2) The fee information document referred to in paragraph 1 shall contain the fees for the services provided according to the list under Article 38, paragraph 1, meet the requirements of Article 103, paragraphs 2 and 3 of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems and shall be compiled in accordance with Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/34 of 28 September 2017 laying down implementing technical standards with regard to the standardised presentation format of the fee information document and its common symbol according to Directive 2014/92/ЕU of the European Parliament and of the Council. (3) Where a payment service provider charges different fees for a service depending on the channel through which the service is requested, used or provided, and in different fee-charging instances of the provision of the service or depending on whether a specific condition for the same service is met, the payment service provider shall provide information on each fee-charging instance, channel or condition in accordance with Article 7, paragraphs 4 and 5 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/34 of 28 September 2017 laying down implementing technical standards with regard to the standardised presentation format of the fee information document and its common symbol according to Directive 2014/92/ЕU of the European Parliament and of the Council. (4) Within the term set out in paragraph 1 and on request, payment service providers shall provide the consumers with a glossary, which shall contain at least the standardised terms from the list referred to in Article 38, paragraph 1 and their definitions. (5) The BNB Deputy Governor heading the Banking Department shall issue an instruction on the compilation of the fee information document referred to in paragraph 1 in connection with the application of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/34 of 28 September 2017 laying down implementing technical standards with regard to the standardised presentation format of the fee information document and its common symbol according to Directive 2014/92/ЕU of the European Parliament and of the Council. Statement of Fees
Article 40. (1)Payment service providers shall provide the consumer on request,
at least once a year and free of charge, with a statement of fees as provided for in Article 106 of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems. (2) The statement of fees shall contain the information and meet the requirements of Article 107, paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems and shall be compiled in accordance with Commission Implementing Regulation

20 Ordinance No 3 of the BNB
(EU) 2018/33 of 28 September 2017 laying down implementing technical standards with regard to the standardised presentation format of the statement of fees and its common symbol according to Directive 2014/92/ЕU of the European Parliament and of the Council. Where applicable, the payment service providers shall use in the statement of fees the standardised terms set out in the list under Article 38, paragraph 1. The Fee Comparison Website Maintained by the BNB
Article 41. (1) (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025) The Bulgarian
National Bank shall maintain a website comparing the fees charged by the payment service providers for the provision of the services included in the list under Article 38, paragraph 1, of all payment service providers licensed in the Republic of Bulgaria, and branches of payment service providers operating on the territory of Bulgaria and offering payment services to consumers. (2) The access to the website under paragraph 1 shall be free of charge. (3) The website under paragraph 1 shall display information on service fees (offers) included in the list provided for in Article 38, paragraph 1, in accordance with the payment service providers’ applicable tariffs on fees and commissions. Content of the Fee Comparison Website Maintained by the BNB
Article 42. The website under Article 41, paragraph 1 shall meet the requirements
of Article 109, paragraph 2 of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems and make available to the consumers at least the following information:

the name of the payment service provider;
information on the price of each of the services included in the list under Article 38, paragraph 1, offered by the payment service provider, including by using brand
names, provided such brand names are used in addition to the services included in the list under Article 38, paragraph 1 as a secondary designation of these services;
the currency for each of the services included in the list under Article 38, paragraph 1, offered by the payment service provider;
the date of the last update of the website under Article 41, paragraph 1.
Submission of Information by Payment Service Providers
Article 43. (1) For the purposes of the website under Article 41, paragraph 1, the
payment service providers shall submit to the BNB the information on the price of each of the services included in the list referred to in Article 38, paragraph 1, which they offer to the consumers. (2) The information under paragraph 1 shall be provided upon any change in the fees, commissions and interest rates for the services referred to in Article 38, paragraph 1 not earlier than seven business days and not later than two business days before the change becomes effective.

Ordinance No 3 of the BNB 21
(3) The Bulgarian National Bank shall update the information on the website under Article 41, paragraph 1 on the day of entry into force of the relevant change with the payment service provider indicating the time of the last update. (4) Payment service providers shall ensure that the information under paragraph 1 is consistent with the information in the payment service providers’ tariffs on fees and commissions for the same services. (5) Payment service providers shall be liable for the accurate, complete and duly submitted information under paragraph 1 and correct any identified inaccuracies. (6) In case of inaccurate information published on the website under Article 41, paragraph 1, the relevant payment service provider shall, within two days, submit to the BNB the corrected information. (7) Consumers may notify the BNB of any inaccurate information published on the website under Article 41, paragraph 1. (8) The BNB Deputy Governor heading the Banking Department shall issue an instruction to determine the content of the information submitted by the payment service providers for the purposes of the website under Article 41, paragraph 1. Other Fee Comparison Websites
Article 44. (1) The Bulgarian National Bank shall provide information on its website on the availability of other fee comparison websites that comply with the requirements set out in Article 109, paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Law on Payment Services and
Payment Systems.
(2) A person willing to maintain the website under paragraph 1 shall notify in writing the BNB thereof, by providing information on the person’s name, registered office and head office addresses and documents and information certifying the compliance with Article 109, paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems. (3) (new; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 50 of 2019) The persons under paragraph 2 shall provide for self-collection of information about the fees charged by payment service providers for providing the services included in the list under Article 38, paragraph 1, as well as any other applicable information. (4) (previous paragraph 3; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 50 of 2019) The Bulgarian National Bank shall conduct a study of compliance of the information and documents provided under paragraph 2 with the requirements set out in Article 109, paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems. (5) (previous paragraph 4; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 50 of 2019) The BNB may, for the purpose of ascertaining compliance with the requirements set out in Article 109, paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems, require the person to provide additional information and documents.

22 Ordinance No 3 of the BNB
Chapter Seven
REQUIREMENTS TO PAYMENT SERVICE PROVIDERS
CONCERNING MANAGEMENT OF OPERATIONAL AND
SECURITY RISKS
Section I
Management of Operational and Security Risks
Security Measures for Operational and Security Risks
Article 45. (1) (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025) Payment service providers shall establish and implement appropriate measures and control mechanisms in
accordance with Article 98, paragraph 1 of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems, related to security, that are proportionate to the nature, scale and complexity of the payment services they provide or intend to provide. (2) (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 23 of 2021; amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025) With regard to security risks, payment service providers shall apply in their relations with payment service users EBA Guidelines EBA/GL/2025/02 amending Guidelines EBA/2019/04 on ICT and security risk management. Assessment of Operational and Security Risks
Article 46. (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 23 of 2021) Payment service providers shall conduct and provide electronically through an information system to the
BNB on an annual basis and by 31 March an updated and comprehensive assessment of the operational and security risks relating to the payment services they provide and on the adequacy of the limiting measures and control mechanisms implemented by them in response to these risks.
Section II
Notification of Major Operational or Security Incidents (repealed; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025) Classification of Incidents
Article 47. (1) (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 83 of 2022; repealed; Darjaven
Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025)
Notification Process
Article 48. (repealed; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025)
Delegated and Consolidated Reporting
Article 49. (repealed; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025)

Ordinance No 3 of the BNB 23
Operational and Security Policy
Article 50. (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 83 of 2022; repealed; Darjaven
Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025)
Chapter Eight
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS TO PAYMENT SERVICE
PROVIDERS AND ELECTRONIC MONEY ISSUERS
Reporting of Payment Service Providers and Electronic Money Issuers
Article 51. (1) Payment service providers shall, for the purposes of the payment
supervision, submit a report to the BNB on the payment services provided by them for each quarter of the calendar year. This report shall be submitted to the BNB Banking Department by the end of the month following the reporting quarterly period. (2) Electronic money issuers shall, for the purposes of the payment supervision, submit a report to the BNB on the electronic money issued, distributed and redeemed by them for each quarter of the calendar year. This report shall be submitted to the BNB Banking Department by the end of the month following the reporting quarterly period. Electronic money issuers who provide also payment services shall submit to the BNB the report under paragraph 1 concerning these services. (3) (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 23 of 2021; amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025) Payment service providers licensed in the Republic of Bulgaria and payment service providers licensed in other EU Member States and operating on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria through a branch shall, on a quarterly and semi-annual basis, submit to the BNB a report on the payment services provided by them in line with the requirements of Regulation (EU) No 1409/2013 of the European Central Bank of 28 November 2013 on payments statistics. The quarterly report shall be submitted to the BNB Banking Department by the end of the month following the reporting quarterly period and the semi-annual report shall be submitted by the end of the second month following the reporting six-month period. (4) The BNB Deputy Governor heading the Banking Department shall issue an instruction to determine the form and content of the reports referred to in paragraphs 1–3. Provision of Statistical Data on Fraud Relating to Payments (new; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 50 of 2019)
Article 52. (new; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 50 of 2019) (1) (amended; Darjaven
Vestnik, issue 38 of 2020; amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 49 of 2024; amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025) Payment service providers licensed in the Republic of Bulgaria and payment service providers licensed in other EU Member States and operating on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria through a branch shall provide the BNB with statistical data on payment fraud in line with the requirements of Regu-

24 Ordinance No 3 of the BNB lation (EU) No 1409/2013 of the European Central Bank of 28 November 2013 on payments statistics. (2) (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 49 of 2024) The data referred to in paragraph 1 shall be submitted to the Banking Department of the BNB together with the semi-annual report referred to in Article 51, paragraph 3. Reporting Procedure (new; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 23 of 2021)
Article 52a. (new; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 23 of 2021) (1) The reports under Articles 51 and 52 shall be submitted electronically through an information system.
(2) The Bulgarian National Bank shall exercise control over the reporting provided, as follows:

formal control: automated control of the mandatory completion of the fields as
required in reporting forms, compliance with formats and compliance with a predetermined relationship between various fields in the reporting forms;
logical control: control of the meaning of provided reporting which consists of
data assessments and analyses and a comparison with other data available at the BNB. (3) The reports under Articles 51 and 52 shall be deemed to be submitted to the BNB after a successful completion of the control under paragraph 2. (4) Payment service providers and electronic money issuers shall correct the reports already submitted within 14 days of the notification of the need for correction. (5) The BNB Deputy Governor heading the Banking Department shall issue an instruction to determine the procedure for submitting and correcting the reports under Articles 51 and 52.
Chapter Nine
COMMON AND SECURE OPEN STANDARDS OF
COMMUNICATION. STRONG PAYER AUTHENTICATION
(new; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 50 of 2019)
General Obligations to Access Interfaces
Article 53. (new; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 50 of 2019) (1) Each account servicing
payment service provider with payment accounts that are accessible online shall offer at least one access interface which complies with the requirements of Article 30 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/389 of 27 November 2017 supplementing Directive (EU) 2015/2366 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to regulatory technical standards for strong customer authentication and common and secure open standards of communication (Regulation (EU) 2018/389). (2) Account servicing payment service providers shall meet the requirement under paragraph 1 by offering a dedicated interface or enabling payment service providers referred to in Article 30(1) of Regulation (EU) 2018/389 to use the interfaces intended

Ordinance No 3 of the BNB 25 to establish customer authentication and for communication with payment service users, which are provided by the account servicing payment service provider. Requirements to the Dedicated Interface
Article 54. (new; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 50 of 2019) (1) The dedicated interface
launched by account servicing payment service providers shall meet the requirements under Article 30 and Article 32 of Regulation (EU) 2018/389. (2) Account servicing payment service providers that have launched a dedicated interface shall also develop and implement a strategy and plans for contingency measures, including maintenance of a contingency mechanism, for the event that the interface does not perform in compliance with Article 32 of Regulation (EU) 2018/389. (3) Account servicing payment service providers that have launched a dedicated interface shall ensure that the contingency mechanism under paragraph 2 allows the payment service providers referred to in Article 30(1) of Regulation (EU) 2018/389 to use the interfaces available to payment service users for establishing customer authentication and communication with their account servicing payment service provider until the dedicated interface is restored to the level of availability and performance provided for in Article 32 of Regulation (EU) 2018/389. (4) (new; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 23 of 2021) Account servicing payment service providers that have launched a dedicated interface shall publish on their websites statistical data in line with Article 32(4) of Regulation (EU) 2018/389 and guidelines 2.2 and 2.3 of EBA/GL/2018/07 on the conditions to benefit from an exemption from the contingency mechanism under Article 33(6) of Regulation (EU) 2018/389 (EBA/ GL/2018/07) by the 15th day of the month, following the quarterly period to which data relate. Exemption from the Obligation to Set Up the Contingency Mechanism
Article 55. (new; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 50 of 2019) (1) (amended; Darjaven
Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025) The Bulgarian National Bank, after consulting the EBA, may exempt an account servicing payment service provider, licensed in the Republic of Bulgaria, that have opted for a dedicated interface from the obligation to set up the contingency mechanism described under Article 54 where the dedicated interface meets the requirements under Article 33(6) of Regulation (EU) 2018/389. (2) (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 23 of 2021) For the exemption under paragraph 1, the account servicing payment service provider shall file a written application to the BNB, enclosing documents and information pursuant to guidelines 2–8 of EBA/ GL/2018/07. (3) If the payment service provider under paragraph 2 belongs to a group of subsidiaries in different Member States and intends to use a common group interface, it shall explicitly states these circumstances in the application along with the remaining members of the group that intend to use the same interface.

26 Ordinance No 3 of the BNB
(4) Within two months of receipt of an application under paragraph 2, the BNB shall carry out a study to assess compliance of all submitted documents and information with exemption requirements. (5) Where during the study under paragraph 4 the BNB establishes that the application is incomplete, the BNB shall require the applicant to provide all necessary documents and information within a term not longer than a month. (6) Within two months of receipt of all necessary documents and information, the BNB shall initiate a consultation with EBA under the procedure of guideline 9.1 of EBA/ GL/2018/07 in the cases where the BNB intends to exempt the applicant from or refuses to exempt the applicant from the obligation to set up a contingency mechanism. (7) The Bulgarian National Bank shall exempt the applicant from the obligation to set up a contingency mechanism within a month of receipt of EBA comments but no later than two months of the date on which the consultation with EBA under paragraph 6 is initiated. (8) The Bulgarian National Bank shall exempt a BNB-licensed account servicing payment service provider that have opted for a dedicated interface from the obligation to set up a contingency mechanism where the applicant has submitted all required information and documents in line with EBA/GL/2018/07 and if, at the BNB discretion, the dedicated interface set up by the applicant meets the requirements of Article 33(6) of Regulation (EU) 2018/389. (9) The Bulgarian National Bank shall refuse to exempt a BNB-licensed account servicing payment service provider that have opted for a dedicated interface from the obligation to set up a contingency mechanism where:

the applicant has not submitted all required information and documents in
compliance with EBA/GL/2018/07;
presented documents contain incomplete, confusing or false information, or
at the BNB discretion, the applicant does not meet the conditions under Article 33(6) of Regulation (EU) No 2018/389.
(10) The Bulgarian National Bank shall notify EBA of any refusal to exempt a BNBlicensed account servicing payment service provider that have opted for a dedicated interface from the obligation to set up a contingency mechanism under the procedure of guideline 9.3 of EBA/GL/2018/07. (11) The Bulgarian National Bank shall revoke the exemption in the cases under
Article 33(7) of Regulation (EU) No 2018/389.
Strong Customer Authentication
Article 56. (new; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 50 of 2019) (1) Payment service providers
shall apply the strong payer authentication in the cases under Article 100 of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems (LPSPS) while complying with the requirements of Chapter Two of Regulation (EU) 2018/389. (2) Payment service providers may not apply the strong payer authentication in the cases and under the conditions set out in Articles 10–20 of Regulation (EU) 2018/389.

Ordinance No 3 of the BNB 27
(3) Payment service providers under paragraph 2 shall notify in writing the BNB before starting implementation of any of the exemptions under Articles 10–20 of Regulation (EU) 2018/389, specifying to which payment services the exemption relates. Payment service providers shall notify the BNB in writing of any change in applying the exemptions under Articles 10–20 of Regulation (EU) 2018/389. (4) In the cases under Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2018/389, payment service providers shall submit to the BNB a report of an audit carried out by auditors qualified in the area of information technology and payments security to verify that special processes or payment protocols ensure such levels of security that are at least equivalent to those in applying strong customer authentication under Article 100 of the LPSPS. (5) The Bulgarian National Bank shall require the payment service providers to carry out monitoring and present its results in accordance with Article 21 of Regulation (EU) 2018/389. (6) The Bulgarian National Bank may oblige a payment service provider to cease an exemption used by it under paragraph 2 if the payment service provider does not comply with the requirements under Regulation (EU) 2018/389. ADDITIONAL PROVISION § 1. Within the meaning of this Ordinance:

‘budget organizations’ shall be legal entities under § 1, item 5 of the Additional
Provisions of the Law on Public Finance;
‘virtual POS terminal’ shall be a logically defined POS terminal used to execute
transfers of funds on payment accounts, payment for goods and services, receipt of statements and execution of other payment and non-payment transactions via Internet, ATM terminals or digital telephones by using payment or prepaid cards operating in on-line regime;
‘ATM (Automated Teller Machine) terminal’ shall be a machine which allows
cash withdrawal and/or deposit of cash, payment for services, transfers of funds between payment accounts, receipt of statements and execution of other payment and non-payment operations;
‘POS terminal’ shall mean a device allowing for the use of payment cards or
prepaid cards to pay for the purchase of goods and services or receive statements and execute other payment or non-payment operations;
‘processing entity’ shall mean any person providing services and actions required
for the execution of payments by means of payment and prepaid cards between the acquiring institution and the issuer;
‘payment card scheme’ shall mean a single set of rules, practices, standards
and/or implementation guidelines for the execution of card-based payment transactions and which is separated from any infrastructure or payment system that supports its operation, and includes any specific decision-making body, organisation or entity accountable for the functioning of the scheme. § 1а. (new; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 50 of 2019; repealed; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 23 of 2021)

28 Ordinance No 3 of the BNB
TRANSITIONAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS
§ 2. This Ordinance is issued on the grounds of Article 67, paragraph 5, Article 96, paragraph 5, Article 99, paragraph 6, Article 102, paragraph 1, Article 109, paragraph 7, Article 121, paragraph 6 and Article 155 of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems (published in the Darjaven Vestnik, issue 20 of 2018, effective as of 6 March 2018), adopted by Resolution No 105 of 18 April 2018 of the Governing Council of the Bulgarian National Bank and shall enter into force three days after its publication in the Darjaven Vestnik, except for:
1, Article 25, paragraph 4 which shall enter into force on 1 October 2018;
2. Articles 39–42 and Article 44 which shall enter into force on 31 October 2018;
3, Article 8, paragraph 3 which shall enter into force on 14 September 2019. § 3. This Ordinance repeals Ordinance No 3 of the BNB of 2009 on the Terms and Procedure for the Execution of Payment Transactions and Use of Payment Instruments (published in the Darjaven Vestnik, issue 62 of 2009; amended; issue 48 of 2011; issue 57 of 2012; issue 69 of 2016; issue 30 of 2017 and issue 32 of 2018). § 4. The instructions issued by the BNB Deputy Governor heading the Banking Department on the enactment of BNB Ordinance No 3 of 16 July 2009 on the Terms and Procedure for the Execution of Payment Transactions and Use of Payment Instruments shall remain in force insofar they do not contradict this Ordinance and the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems. § 5. Upon the entry into force of this Ordinance, the Bulgarian National Bank shall publish on its website the average amount of fees referred to in Article 35, paragraph 2 based on the information collected by the banks as of 31 December 2017. Banks shall implement Article 36, paragraph 1 by 1 August 2018 at the latest. § 6. Payment service providers shall submit the initial information referred to in
Article 43, paragraph 1 by 15 October 2018.
§ 7. Reports referred to in Article 51, paragraphs 1 and 2 for 2018 and 2019 shall be submitted to the BNB Banking Department semi-annually by the end of the month following the reporting six-month period. Reports referred to in Article 51, paragraphs 1 and 2 for the first six months of 2018 shall be submitted by 31 July 2018 at the latest. § 8. Reports referred to in Article 51, paragraph 3 for 2018 shall be submitted to the BNB Banking Department by 28 February 2019. § 9. Payment service providers shall conduct the first comprehensive assessment of the operational and security risks relating to the payment services they provide, and on the adequacy of the limiting measures and control mechanisms implemented in response to these risks, and submit it to the BNB by 31 July 2018. § 10. (new; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 38 of 2020) The reports under Article 51, paragraphs 1 and 2 for the first half of 2020 shall be submitted to the BNB Banking Department on a semi-annual basis by 31 August 2020.

Ordinance No 3 of the BNB 29
Appendix No 1
to Article 34
(amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 23 of 2021; amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025, effective as of 1 January 2026) Services Linked to a Payment Account with Basic Features, Which Are Provided to Consumers Free of Charge or for a Reasonable Fee
Article of the LPSPS* Service in euro provided on the territory of Bulgaria Fee
Article 118, paragraph 1, item 1
Opening of an account

Opening of an account at a bank office
Opening of an account at a bank office and issuance of a
debit card to the account
Article 118, paragraph 1, item 1
Servicing of an account
Servicing of an account at a bank office
Servicing of an account at a bank office with an issued debit
card to the account
Article 118, paragraph 1, item 1
Closing of an account
Closing of an account at a bank office, opened within six
months prior to the date of closing
Article 118, paragraph 1, item 2
Placing of funds into an account
Placing of funds into an account at a bank office
Article 118, paragraph 1, item 3
Withdrawing of cash from an account
At a teller desk in a bank office: up to EUR 511
With a debit card at an ATM serviced by the same bank
With a debit card at an ATM serviced by another bank
Article 118, paragraph 1, item 4,
letter ‘a’
Payment by direct debit
To an account with the same bank
To an account with another bank
Article 118, paragraph 1, item 4,
letter ‘b’
Payment transactions with a payment card, including via Internet
Payment with a debit card at a POS terminal serviced by
the same bank
Payment with a debit card at a POS terminal serviced by
another bank

30 Ordinance No 3 of the BNB
Article 118, paragraph 1, item 4,
letter ‘c’;
Credit transfer

Paper-based transfer to a payment account with the same
bank
By on-line banking to a payment account with the same
bank
Paper-based transfer through BISERA to a payment account with another bank
By on-line banking through BISERA to a payment account
with another bank
Paper-based transfer to a payment account of the state
budget with the same bank
By on-line banking to a payment account of the state budget
with the same bank
Paper-based transfer through BISERA to a payment account of the state budget with another bank
By on-line banking through BISERA to a payment account
of the state budget with another bank
Standing order
Execution of a paper-based standing order to a payment
account with the same bank
Execution of an on-line banking standing order to a payment account with the same bank
Execution of a paper-based standing order via BISERA to a
payment account with another bank
Execution of an on-line banking standing order via BISERA
to a payment account with another bank

Ordinance No 3 of the BNB 31
Appendix No 2
to Article 37, paragraph 2 (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025, effective as of 1 January 2026) Template of an Information Leaflet on a Payment Account with Basic Features [Name of the payment service provider] [Presentation format to be chosen by the payment service provider] Payment Account with Basic Features Intended use Fees The payment account with basic features is offered in euro and intended to resident and non-resident natural persons residing legally in the European Union for execution of payment transactions on the territory of Bulgaria free of charge or for reasonable fees. An unlimited number of payment transactions may be executed on a payment account with basic features. The access to a payment account with basic features is not bound by the purchase of additional services. The bank may refuse to open a bank account with basic features where the customer already holds another payment account with basic features or holds more than one payment account allowing the execution of payment transactions with the same or another bank on the territory of Bulgaria. The payment account with basic features is opened within ten days of receipt of all documents required by the bank for its opening and the conclusion of the contract. [Name of the payment service provider] charges fees for the services on a payment account with basic features, as follows:
[The services on a payment account with basic features and the applicable fees to any of them are listed.] [Additional services provided on a payment account with basic features, if any, and applicable fees to any of them are listed]

32 Ordinance No 3 of the BNB
Appendix No 3
to Article 38, paragraph 1 (amended; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025, effective as of 1 January 2026) List of the Most Representative Services Linked to a Payment Account Service Definition Opening of a current account The payment service provider opens a payment account to a customer for execution of payment transactions without any notice from the account holder for using the funds. Maintaining the account

current account
The payment service provider operates a payment account which is used by the customer for execution of payment transactions without any notice from the account holder for using the funds. Closing of a current account Closing of a payment account which is used by the customer for execution of payment transactions without any notice from the account holder for using the funds. Debit card servicing in national currency The payment service provider operates a debit card linked to the customer’s account in euro. The amount of each transaction made using the card is taken directly and in full from the customer’s account. Credit card servicing in national currency The payment service provider operates a credit card linked to the customer’s account in euro. The total amount of the transactions made using the card during an agreed period is taken either in full or in part from the customer’s payment account on an agreed date. A credit agreement between the provider and the customer determines whether interest will be charged to the customer for the borrowing. Cash withdrawal
on the territory of
Bulgaria
The customer takes cash out of the customer’s account on the territory of Bulgaria either at a teller desk, or via POS or ATM terminals. Cash withdrawal
with a debit card at an
ATM terminal abroad
The customer takes cash out of the customer’s account using his debit card at an ATM terminal abroad. Payment with a debit card The customer pays for the purchase of goods and services at the point of sale or via Internet with a debit card. Payment with a credit card The customer pays for the purchase of goods and services at the point of sale or via Internet with a credit card. Statement of a payment account balance via an ATM terminal The customer receives a statement from an ATM terminal in Bulgaria on the payment account balance to which his debit card is linked.

Ordinance No 3 of the BNB 33
Credit transfer

in national currency to
a payment account with another payment service provider The payment service provider transfers money, on the instruction of the customer, from the customer’s account to another account with another payment service provider in euro. Credit transfer
in national currency
to a payment account with the same payment service provider The payment service provider transfers money, on the instruction of the customer, from the customer’s account to another account with the same payment service provider in euro. Credit transfer
in national currency
to a payment account of the state budget with another payment service provider The payment service provider transfers money, on the instruction of the customer, from the customer’s account to a payment account of the state budget with another payment service provider, initiated by a payment order to the budget in euro. Utilities payment The payment service provider transfers money, on the instruction of the customer, from the customer’s account to a payment account with the same or another payment service provider, allowing payment of utility bills (electricity, water, gas, telephone, etc.). Credit transfer
in foreign currency to
a payment account with another payment service provider The payment service provider transfers money, on the instruction of the customer, from the customer’s account to another account with another payment service provider in foreign currency. Credit transfer
in foreign currency to
a payment account with the same payment service provider The payment service provider transfers money, on the instruction of the customer, from the customer’s account to another account with the same payment service provider in foreign currency. Incoming credit transfer
in foreign currency
The customer’s account with a payment service provider is credited with amounts from money transfers in foreign currency. Overdraft The payment service provider and the customer agree in advance that the customer may borrow money when there is no money left in his account. The agreement determines a maximum amount that can be borrowed, and whether fees and interest will be charged to the customer.
Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems.

34 Ordinance No 3 of the BNB
Ordinance on Amendment of Ordinance No 3 of 2018 on the Terms and Procedure for Opening Payment Accounts, Executing Payment Transactions and Using Payment Instruments (published in the Darjaven Vestnik, issue 50 of 25 June 2019) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Transitional and Final Provisions § 17. By 31 December 2019 the BNB may exempt payment service providers from the obligation to set up a contingency mechanism under the procedure of guideline 9.2 of EBA/GL/2018/07. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . § 19. This Ordinance is issued on the grounds of Article 67, paragraph 5, Article 96, paragraph 5, Article 99, paragraph 6, Article 102, paragraph 1, Article 109, paragraph 7, Article 121, paragraph 6 and Article 155 of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems and adopted by Resolution No 209 of 13 June 2019 of the BNB Governing Council. Ordinance on Amendment of Ordinance No 3 of 2018 on the Terms and Procedure for Opening Payment Accounts, Executing Payment Transactions and Using Payment Instruments (Published in the Darjaven Vestnik, issue 38 of 24 April 2020) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Final Provision § 3. This Ordinance is issued on the grounds of Article 99, paragraph 6 and Article 155 of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems and adopted by Resolution No 130 of the Governing Council of the Bulgarian National Bank of 7 April 2020.

Ordinance No 3 of the BNB 35
Ordinance on Amendment of Ordinance No 3 of 2018 on the Terms and Procedure for Opening Payment Accounts, Executing Payment Transactions and Using Payment Instruments (Published in the Darjaven Vestnik, issue 23 of 19 March 2021) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Transitional and Final Provisions § 15. The reports under Article 51, paragraph 3 for the accounting year 2020 with data on an annual basis shall be submitted to the BNB Banking Department by 28 February 2021. § 16. The reports under Article 51, paragraph 3 for the accounting year 2021 with data only on a semi-annual basis shall be submitted to the BNB Banking Department by 31 July 2021 for the first half of 2021 and by 31 January 2022 for the second half of 2021. § 17. The first submission of the reports under Article 51, paragraph 3 on a quarterly and semi-annual basis starts with data for the first quarter of 2022 by 30 April 2022 and for the first half of 2022 by 31 August 2022. The reports shall be submitted to the Banking Department of the BNB. § 18. This Ordinance is issued on the grounds of Article 67, paragraph 5, Article 99, paragraph 6 and Article 155 of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems and adopted by Resolution No 39 of 25 February 2021 of the Governing Council of the Bulgarian National Bank of 25 February 2021. Ordinance on Amendment of BNB Ordinance No 3 of 18 April 2018 on the Terms and Procedure for Opening Payment Accounts, Executing Payment Transactions and Using Payment Instruments (published; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 83 of 2022) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Final Provisions § 10. This Ordinance is issued on the grounds of Article 67, paragraph 5, Article 99, paragraph 6 and Article 155 of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems and is adopted by Resolution No 355 of 12 October 2022 of the BNB Governing Council.

36 Ordinance No 3 of the BNB
Ordinance on Amendment of Ordinance No 3 of the BNB of 18 April 2018 on the Terms and Procedure for Opening Payment Accounts, Executing Payment Transactions and Using Payment Instruments (published; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 49 of 2024). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Final Provision § 2. This Ordinance is issued on the grounds of Article 99, paragraph 6 and Article 155 of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems and is adopted by Resolution No 263 of the Governing Council of the Bulgarian National Bank of 30 May 2024. Ordinance on Amendment of Ordinance No 3 of 2018 on the Terms and Procedure for Opening Payment Accounts, Executing Payment Transactions and Using Payment Instruments (published; Darjaven Vestnik, issue 88 of 2025) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Transitional and Final Provisions § 22. (effective as of 1 January 2026) (1) Direct debit authorisations given by a payer before 1 January 2026, for the automatic payment of recurring utility bills to legal entities shall retain their validity as authorisations under Article 23, paragraph 4. (2) Payment service providers shall ensure that the payer has the option to change the limit under Article 23, paragraph 4 by 1 July 2026. § 23. This Ordinance is issued on the grounds of Article 67, paragraph 5, Article 99, paragraph 6, Article 102, paragraph 1, Article 109, paragraph 7, Article 121, paragraph 6 and Article 155 of the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems adopted by Resolution No 473 of 6 October 2025 of the Governing Council of the Bulgarian National Bank and shall enter into force three days after its publication in the Darjaven Vestnik, with the exception of paragraphs 1, 2, § 3, items 1, § 4, 5, § 8, items 2–4, § 9, 11, 19–22, which shall enter into force on 1 January 2026.

Ordinance No 3 of the BNB on the Terms and Procedure for Opening Payment Accounts, Executing Payment Transactions and Using Payment Instruments

Lineage: In force

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