If you are an Irish business owner, you must already know how much card payments matter. More than 80% of people want to pay with a card, as no one likes to handle cash. It is a quick and convenient method for everyone. But there is a catch behind these easy methods. There is a fee on every single card transaction, and if you are not smart about it, it will eat up a big chunk of your annual profits.
But you do not have to sweat too much about it, as we are going to show you some ways that can help you save more than 60% on card terminal fees in Ireland. You just have to know what to look for and who to put your trust in. Business owners in Ireland now have some real options with so many service providers in the market. Let’s learn how to make the most of our situations and start saving.
UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE CARD TERMINAL FEE ACTUALLY IS:
Before you start making a savings plan, you need to know where your money is actually going. Every merchant or card machine provider has some basic charges, such as
- The transaction fee is a small percentage of each payment.
- Monthly rent is what you get charged for the terminal each month
- A service fee is charged for maintenance, quick updates, and support.
- For security and data protection purposes, a PCI compliance fee is charged.
- There might be some hidden charges in the name of statements and cancellation fees.
The majority of Irish business owners accept all these charges without questioning anything. Even if these charges look insignificant, they can make a big impact. So, you need to start negotiating and comparing service providers and packages to come up with the best deal.
COMPARING AND NEGOTIATING PACKAGES:
The payment methods from the last decades have changed a lot. People who have been afraid to use a card that might steal their money are now hesitant about keeping cash in their pockets. Banks were the only reliable payment institutions back then, but card machine providers are now dominating in this regard. They are offering better prices and fairer contracts.
If you have been using the same service providers for years, it’s time to check their updated packages and compare them with other service providers. There is a good chance that you might be overpaying.
You can take quotes and compare contract lengths, maintenance charges, transaction fees, and monthly rates, etc. You might be surprised to know how much you can save by just switching your service provider. Do not be afraid to ask for a better rate you’re your new or even old service providers if you do not want to switch. Negotiations can help you get a way better deal than you expected.
If it feels like a bit of a hassle to you, we at Business Utility Broker are here for you. Just get a free quote from us today!
CHOOSE A PERCENTAGE PLAN:
Instead of paying different amounts for everything, choose a percentage or a flat rate package. It would make a huge difference as you would be paying a simple and easy-to-calculate percentage of each transaction, instead of paying different fees for different cards. It will keep things simple and avoid any unwanted surprises in the bill. Be sure to always check and compare your monthly statements too.
Traditional banks usually charge around 2% of every transaction with some hidden fee, as compared to independent card service merchants with up to 1.2%. Switching to them would simply mean thousands of euros saved yearly.
CONTRACT LENGTHS:
Try to find a shorter contract length or choose a month-to-month payment plan. It is beneficial, as you would be obligated to pay higher prices even if the rates drop if you have a 3–5-year contract.
The flexibility of a short-term contract will allow you to negotiate prices whenever you want.
CHOOSE RENTING OR BUYING CAREFULLY:
Always check out all your options and choose if renting a card terminal is more beneficial to you than buying. Renting might seem like the better and cheaper option, but it is not always the case. If a rental service provider charges 20 euros a month, that is 240 euros a year. As of November 2025, the majority of the credit card machines cost less than 150 euros to buy instantly.
Once you buy your own terminal of your choice, you will only have to pay the transaction fee.
UPGRADE TO THE LATEST MACHINES:
Latest card terminals use Wi-Fi and mobile data to update regularly and keep your accounting software running smoothly. It is smarter and saves so much time and money, and also reduces the maintenance costs.
These machines are faster, safer, and have a lower risk of fraud or malware. Be sure to invest in them rather than the traditional ones.
FAQS:
- How much are the average credit card terminal fees in Ireland?
The average credit card terminal fee for businesses in Ireland is between 1.2% to 2.5%.
- Is it cheaper to buy my credit card terminal than to rent?
In many cases, yes, it is cheaper to buy your own device for around 150 euros than paying 240 euros yearly charges.
- Can I actually save up to 60% on credit card terminal fees by using these methods?
Yes. You absolutely can. Just book your appointment today with us and let us brief you deeply on every way you can save your money.
- How do I find a better credit card terminal service provider?
You can start by comparing the plans and negotiating with service providers for better deals, or come to us to do your work for you.
CONCLUSION:
Running a successful business in Ireland means keeping up with new technology while keeping your expenses in check. Credit card machines, while being the easiest payment method, can slowly eat into your profits. By comparing, negotiating, and switching your packages, you can save up more than 60% on your credit card terminal fee. Just book your appointment today with us and let us do that for you!