2022-01-27
Added · Updated
The Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo issued this regulation to establish comprehensive conditions, definitions, and procedures for issuing and utilizing electronic payment instruments across authorized financial institutions. It mandates written contracts detailing rights, obligations, fees, and security protocols while imposing strict transparency, record-keeping, and anti-money laundering duties on issuers. The framework also defines holder responsibilities, limits financial liability for unauthorized or fraudulent transactions upon timely notification, and guarantees prompt compensation for issuer errors.
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Pursuant to Article 35, paragraph 1, subparagraph 1.1, Article 22, paragraph 2, subparagraph 2.3, of Law No. 03/L-209 on the Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo, and in accordance with Article 1, paragraph 1, and Article 8, paragraph 1 and paragraph 2, subparagraph 2.3, of Law No. 04/L-155 on Payment System, and with Article 44, Article 85, Article 94 and Article 114 of Law No. 04/L-093 on Banks, Microfinance Institutions and Non-Bank Financial Institutions, the Board of the Central Bank, in its meeting held on 27 January 2022, approved the following:
REGULATION ON ELECTRONIC PAYMENT INSTRUMENTS
CHAPTER I
General provisions
Article 1
Purpose and scope
specific goods or services from suppliers having a commercial agreement with the issuer.
Article 2
Definitions
1.10. Debit card – shall mean a category of payment instrument that enables the payer to initiate
a debit card transaction excluding those with prepaid cards;
1.11. Credit card - shall mean a category of payment instrument that enables the payer to initiate
a credit card transaction;
1.12. Prepaid card - shall mean a category of payment instrument in which electronic money is
stored.
1.13. Debit card transaction - shall mean a card-based payment transaction, including those
with prepaid cards that is not credit card transaction;
1.14. Credit card transaction - shall mean a card-based payment transaction where the amount
of the transaction is debited in full or in part at a pre agreed specific calendar month date to the payer, in line with a prearranged credit facility, with or without interest;
1.15. Card-based payment transaction - shall mean a service based on on a payment card
scheme's infrastructure and business rules to make a payment transaction by means of any card, telecommunication, digital or IT device or software if this results in a debit or a credit card transaction. Card-based payment transactions exclude transactions based on other kinds of payment services;
1.16. Card scheme - shall mean a single set of implementation guidelines, rules, practices,
and/or standards for the execution of card-based transactions and which is separated from any infrastructure or payment system that supports its operation, and includes any specific decision-making body, company or entity responsible for the operation of the scheme;
1.17. Four party card scheme - shall mean a card scheme in which card-based payment
transactions are made from a payer's payment account to a payee's payment account through the scheme, an issuer (on the payer’s side) and an recipient (on the payee’s side);
1.18. Three party card scheme - shall mean a card scheme, in which the scheme itself provides
acquiring and issuing services and card-based payment transactions are made from the payment account of a payer to the payment account of a payee within the scheme. When a three party payment card scheme licenses other payment service providers for the issuance of card-based payment instruments or the acquiring of card-based payment transactions, or both, or issues card-based payment instruments with a co-branding partner or through an agent, it is considered to be a four party payment card scheme;
1.19. Payment account – is an account opened with a bank or NBFI registered for conducting
payment activities and/or electronic money, on behalf of one or more payment service users, which is used to perform payment transactions.
1.20. IPS - Interbank Payment System at CBK;
1.21. Electronic bank services – shall mean the banking services provided online, such as:
mobile banking, e-banking, etc., which are carried out via electronic means of communication. These services may be accessed by clients of entities envisaged in this Regulation, through the use of various means of telecommunications, such as telephone, cellular phone, terminals or personal computers, etc.;
1.22. Mobile Banking - shall mean a service that allows the holder to use the mobile or cell
phone to carry out various banking transactions, including the ability to make payment orders from a payment account;
1.23. E-banking – shall mean a service that allows the holder to carry out various banking
transactions, including payment orders, using the internet;
1.24. Immediate payment - shall mean an electronic payment with small monetary value
available 24/7/365 which results in immediate interbank clearing, which implies crediting of the payer's account and confirmation for the payer, within seconds after the initiation of the payment. Immediate payment is made regardless of the basic payment instrument used and the clearing and settlement agreement;
1.25. PIN (Personal Identification Number) - shall mean the numeric code, used to verify the
holder’s identity.
1.26. Issuer – shall mean the bank or the institution licensed or authorized by the CBK, which,
according to the contract, issues the holder for use, the electronic payment instrument;
1.27. Recipient – shall mean the bank or the institution licensed by the CBK which based on a
contract with the merchant, accepts electronic payments initiated by the holders via electronic payment instrument and carried out at the merchant via POS/EFTPOS or virtual POS. The recipient can be simultaneously an issuer and vice-versa;
1.28. Holder - shall mean the natural or legal person, who holds the EPI, based on the respective
contract with the issuer;
1.29. Merchant - implies the natural or legal person, that based on the contract signed with the
recipient, accepts the electronic payments via EPI, carried out using POS/EFTPOS/virtual POS devices;
1.30. ATM (Automated Teller Machine) - shall mean the electromechanical device that permits
to withdraw or to deposit cash, to carry out payments of services, to transfer funds among the accounts, to create account statements, etc.;
1.31. Terminal POS/EFTPOS – shall mean the device that permits the use of the banking cards
at a point of sale;
1.32. Terminal virtual POS (virtual POS) - shall mean the device or similar application in
services to the POS terminal, which permits the performance of transactions via internet or phone lines, using banking cards operating in real-time;
1.33. Online operation - shall mean the method in which transactions are carried via EPI
through electronic means of communication between the system where this transaction takes place and the authorization system of the card issuer or its service operator, are immediately approved by the latter, by freezing the funds in the account of the EPI holder;
1.34. Offline operation – shall mean the method in which the processing and approval of a EPI
transaction, in a terminal, is performed without contacting the issuer;
1.35. Agent/clearing house – shall mean an entity that calculates the net positions of the system
participants, a potential central party and/or a possible settlement agent.
1.36. International card companies - shall mean international financial services companies that
enable electronic fund transfers worldwide and facilitate the processing of payments between banks and merchants;
1.37. Consumer - shall mean any natural person who buys and uses goods or services to meet his
needs, for purposes not related to commercial activity;
1.38. Interchange fee - shall mean a fee paid for each transaction directly or indirectly (i.e.
through a third party) between the issuer and the recipient involved in a card-based payment transaction. The net compensation or other agreed remuneration is considered to be part of the interchange fee;
1.39. Merchant Service Charge – shall mean a fee paid by the payee to the recipient in relation
to card-based payment transactions;
1.40. Net Compensation - shall mean the total net amount of payments, discounts, or incentives
received by an issuer from the payment card scheme, the recipient, or any other intermediary in relation to card-based payment transactions or related activities;
1.41. Payee - shall mean a natural or legal person who is the intended recipient of funds that have
been the subject of a payment transaction;
1.42. Payer - shall mean a natural or legal person who holds a payment account and allows a
payment order from that account or when there is no payment account, a natural or legal person who issues a payment order;
1.43. Payment application - shall mean computer software or equivalent installed on a device
enabling card-based payment transactions to be initiated and allowing the payer to issue payment orders;
1.44. Payment service providers – shall mean a bank, MFI, NBFI, licensed/registered by the
CBK to carry out the activity of payment service and/or issuance of electronic money;
1.45. Payment service user - shall mean a natural or legal person making use of a payment
service in the capacity of either payer or payee, or both.
Article 3
Types of Electronic Payment Instruments
Electronic payment instruments, through which it is possible to access funds in the payment
account or in the money registered electronically to carry out operations such as: cash depositing/withdrawal, payments and/or transfers of funds, reloading with monetary value, etc. are classified as follows:
1.1. Remote access payment instruments, providing to the holder the possibility to access funds
in his payment account, by using electronic and/or technical means, such as:
1.1.1. payment cards;
1.1.2. immediate payments.
1.2. Other electronic services, such as: mobile banking, e-banking, etc.; and
1.3. Electronic money instruments.
The definition of EPI types under paragraph 1 of this Article has no limiting/exhaustive character
and depends on further technology developments.
CHAPTER II
Transparency and consumer protection standards
Article 4
Establishing relationships for the issuance and use of Electronic Payment Instruments
Relationship for the issuance, holding and use of EPIs shall be established through a written
contract between the issuer and the holder.
The contract under paragraph 1 of this Article shall contain at least the following conditions:
2.1. The contract for holding and using the EPI shall be drafted in Albanian language and may be
drafted in other languages, in compliance with the applicable laws in Kosovo;
2.2. The issuer shall, prior to the signing of the contract, communicate to the holder of the EPI
the contractual terms, by carefully clarifying mutual rights and obligations;
2.3. The contract for holding and using EPI shall contain at least the following information:
2.3.1. parties to the contract;
2.3.2. the type of the EPI issued, type of equipment/device where the holder can use this
instrument to carry out transactions;
2.3.3. types of payment transactions that can be carried out via EPI;
2.3.4. the duration/limit of usage or the validity period of EPI;
2.3.5. obstacles that may occur when carrying out transactions;
2.3.6. the applicable security procedures and parties’ liabilities under the contract;
2.3.7. the normal period within which the holder shall settle all liabilities arising from
transactions executed through EPI;
2.3.8. types and value of charges and commission fees relevant to the use of EPI and the
conditions for their change;
2.3.9. rules on carrying out transactions in foreign currency and the conditions for their
change;
2.3.10. rules on the calculation of interest rate and effective interest rate, if applicable on the
EPI issued;
2.3.11. the right and procedure for filing a complaint related to EPI, and procedures for
addressing it;
2.3.12. the terms and conditions for contract renewal;
2.3.13. the method, period of notice, conditions for terminating the contract; and
2.3.14. procedures and consequences in cases of loss, destruction, misuse, theft, falsification
or copying of EPI.
2.4. The following documents shall be attached to the contract:
2.4.1. the list of allowed limits for transactions, charges, fees, and interest rates, when
applicable, as well as the reference to the quotation date of applicable exchange rate for use of EPI-s, domestically and abroad;
2.4.2. a description of how EPI is used and the devices where it is used.
3. The issuer shall issue EPI to the holder only after being assured that the client was informed and
cleared on terms, mutual rights and obligations stipulated in the contract, and after the signature of the contract compiled in accordance with this Article.
4. The issuer shall notify the holder in writing on the proposed amendments to the provisions of the
contract.
Article 5
Issue and use of Electronic Payment Instruments
1.6. Not issue payment instruments unless requested by the holder, except when he/she replaces
an existing electronic payment instrument used by the holder;
1.7. Save the records for a period of time defined by applicable laws so as to enable the
identification of performed transactions and correction of errors in the cases defined in the contract;
1.8. Inform the holder in writing and/or electronically regarding the publication of the change
occurring in the interest rates when they are applicable;
1.9. Provide to the holder any information relevant to his transactions, upon the request by the
latter;
1.10. Provide the holder with the possibility of notification in cases of loss, theft, misuse and/or
destruction of EPI-s, 24/7 via the available means of communication;
1.11. Identify the person performing the notification referred to in subparagraph “1.10” of this
paragraph, in order to ensure that he/she is the EPI’s holder;
1.12. Record in full the receipt of notification for cases provided under subparagraph “1.10” of
this paragraph, including the receipt of data related to the identification number of EPI, the person making the notification, the correct date and time of receiving information and the other additional circumstances;
1.13. Following the receipt of notification under subparagraph “1.10” and identification of the
person under subparagraph “1.11” of this paragraph, the issuer shall immediately take necessary measures to stop further use of the EPI, even when the holder may have acted in complete negligence or fraud; and;
2. The issuer of EPI, during the process of issuing and monitoring the use of EPI, shall implement
the requirements of applicable legislation on prevention of money laundering and financing of terrorism.
Article 7
Publication of information
2.3. the interest rates, the potential commission fees and/or charges for each transaction, if
applicable; and
2.4. The new services that it can provide with regard to EPI.
Article 8
Obligations of the holder of Electronic Payment Instrument
1.1. The transaction was not executed or was executed incorrectly by the issuer, including cases
where the transaction was performed at terminals authorized for use by the holder, but which are not under the direct control of the issuer;
1.2. The transactions were not authorised by the holder, as well as for any error or any other
irregularity attributable to the issuer, in maintaining the holder’s account.
1.3. Transaction executed by the holder, at the time determined in or through the
devices/applications of the issuer, has been delayed during the transfer which causes financial damages to the holder.
2. Compensation/indemnification of financial damages under paragraph 1 of this Article, shall
include:
2.1. The amount of the unexecuted or erroneously executed transaction, if any, and relevant
interest thereon; and
2.2. The amount required to restore the holder's remaining account to the previous state, before
the unauthorised transaction took place.
Article 10
Establishment of relationships for receipt of payments via electronic payment instrument
The relationship for the receipt of payments via EPI shall be established and defined through a
written contract between the recipient and merchant.
The contract under paragraph 1 of this Article should contain at least the following conditions:
2.1. Contract on receipt of payments via EPI is drafted in Albanian and other languages in
accordance with the applicable legislation;
2.2. Prior to signing the contract, the recipient shall present to the merchant all contract
conditions, by clarifying the reciprocal rights and obligations. The contract should contain at least the following information:
2.2.1. Parties to the contract;
2.2.2. Type of EPI to be used for performing transactions with the merchant;
2.2.3. Applicable procedures, including security procedures and merchant’s obligations
during the performance of transactions;
2.2.4. Period and manner of payment to the merchant by the recipient;
2.2.5. Cases of refusal to accept payment by EPI;
2.2.6. Cases of holding the EPI;
2.2.7. Procedures regarding the right to file complaints;
2.2.8. Terms and conditions related to contract renewal;
2.2.9. Manner, notification deadline and conditions for termination of the contract.
The contract shall not contain any prohibiting clause for the merchant to use only one recipient’s
system.
The contract may contain compulsory clauses only with regard to technical aspects of payment
processing by EPI.
Article 11
Obligations of the recipient of payments via Electronic Payment Instruments
In order to receive payments via EPI, the recipient should fulfil the following conditions:
1.1. Open a payment account in the name of the business or the merchant;
1.2. Enable the acceptance and performance of transactions via EPI;
1.3. Record each transaction and save the records for a sufficient period of time, so as to enable
the identification of performed transactions and correction of errors in the cases defined in the contract;
1.4. Apply safety procedures for ensuring the performance of EPI transactions;
1.5. Implement legal acts for maintaining data and bank secrecy; and
1.6. Notify the merchant in writing with regard to proposals for changing the contract provisions.
Article 12
Standards on the protection of the electronic payment instrument holder
The recipient shall include in the contents of the contract pursuant to Article 10 of this
Regulation, certain conditions to ensure the protection of EPI holder, whereby the merchant:
1.1. May request the holder to present an identification document, in case of doubts about his
identity, prior to accepting a payment via the EPI;
1.2. Should reject a payment via the EPI, under Article 10, subparagraph 2.2.5, of this
Regulation, in the following cases:
1.2.1. EPI invalidity;
1.2.2. Notice on EPI’s theft or loss;
1.2.3. Inconsistency between the authorized signature in the EPI and the signature of the
transaction document or identity card;
1.2.4. Refusal by the holder to provide an identification document or if the merchant
identifies that an unauthorised person is using EPI;
1.2.5. Inability to receive a confirmation on the performance of transaction;
1.2.6. Absence or incorrectness of at least one EPI safety element;
1.2.7. Suspicions of an EPI forgery/copying;
1.2.8. Absence of authorized signature in EPI, if this is essential for validity effect;
1.3. May hold EPI, in accordance with Article 10, subparagraph 2.2.6, of this Regulation, in the
following cases:
1.3.1. Notice on EPI theft or loss;
1.3.2. Inconsistency of signature in EPI with the signature in purchase receipt;
1.3.3. Use of EPI by an unauthorised person;
1.3.4. Receiving an order from the recipient to keep the EPI; and
1.3.5. Concluding that at least one of the safety elements is not correct.
1.4. Should ensure the safety procedures according to Article 10, subparagraph 2.2.3, of this
Regulation and shall not make public personal data and/or cardholder number, to unauthorised persons, as well as shall not allow wrong/incorrect use or forgery/copying of EPI;
1.5. Should accept payments performed via EPI, under the same conditions and terms as with
cash payments and should not apply commission or additional charges towards the holder, above the price of payments performed through them.
Article 13
Transparency standards of the issuer of other electronic services
The order given by the holder of the EPI for the authorisation of a transaction may be revoked only prior to the authorisation. After the authorisation of the transaction by the holder, the order is irrevocable, except if the contractual terms on the use of EPI provide differently.
CHAPTER III
Remote access payment instruments
Article 15
Types of payment cards
1.3. Payment of goods and services, as well as transfer of funds between accounts from a virtual
POS/EFTPOS terminal;
1.4. Payment of services from ATM terminals;
1.5. Transfer of funds between accounts through an ATM terminal;
1.6. Transfer of the current account balance to a deposit account through an ATM terminal;
1.7. Online payments; and
1.8. Printing of account statement or issuance of an overview of last actions in the account, as
well as performance of other non-payment transactions, such as:
1.8.1. Changing the PIN at an ATM etc.;
1.8.2. Setting the PIN at the POS.
2. The recipient makes possible that the transactions specified in paragraph 1 of this Article, be
carried out in all POS/EFTPOS and ATM supplied and financed by them, which offer those functions, by using the payment cards issued within the territory of Kosovo or abroad, in compliance with the agreements with the international card associations.
3. Issuer and recipient operating in Kosovo, should not apply fees to the holder for transactions
carried out with cards for payment of goods or services.
4. Notwithstanding paragraph 3 of this Article, an exception may be made only in cases of
payments to public institutions when the institution does not undertake to cover the cost of payment service through the card.
Article 18
Exchange fees for debit and credit card transactions by the customer
For the purpose of applying the limitations set forth in Article 18 of this Regulation, any agreed payment, including net compensation, with an effect on the exchange fee, received by an issuer from a card scheme, recipient or any other intermediary in connection with payment transactions or related activities should be treated as part of the exchange fee.
Article 20
The ‘Honour all cards’ rule
Personal identification number (PIN)
1.3. Number of merchants with whom the recipient has concluded a contract on the acceptance of
payments with electronic payment instruments;
1.4. Number of ATM and POS/EFTPOS terminals they possess;
1.5. Recorded efforts on evading or violation of rules; and
1.6. Any other data required by the payment instruments reporting methodology.
Article 27
Reporting methodology
The CBK shall draft the payment instruments reporting methodology, aiming to collect information from the issuer, in the function of assessing and controlling the payment system, as well as for statistical purposes. Nevertheless, the CBK may still request, as needed, additional information as it deems necessary, in order to fulfil its monitoring responsibilities.
Article 28
Personal data protection
Article 30
Repeal
With the entry into force of this regulation, the Regulation on Electronic Payment Instruments approved by the CBK Board on 26 December 2019 and any other provision that conflicts with this Regulation shall be repealed.
Article 31
Remedial measures and civil penalties
Any violation of the provisions of this Regulation shall be subject to remedial and punitive measures, as defined by the Law on the Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo, the Law on Payment System and the Law on Banks, Microfinance Institutions, and Non-Bank Financial Institutions.
Article 32
Entry into force
This Regulation shall enter into force fifteen (15) days from the date of approval, with the exception of Articles 18, 19, 20 and 21 which enter into force on 1 January 2023, for the purpose of harmonizing the internal acts of financial institutions with the provisions of the mentioned Articles of this Regulation. Flamur Mrasori Chairman of the Board of the Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo
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Source: Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo — original document · Summary generated with machine assistance and reviewed before publication; the authoritative text is the regulator's original document. How RegAlert works