Kuwait bans extra charges on electronic payments, Central Bank orders

KUWAIT CITY: Several electronic payment service providers in the country have informed their affiliated commercial entities that they have been banned from charging any additional fees from customers for using electronic payment methods under the Central Bank’s directives.

According to reports, official notices issued by payment companies state that this move is in accordance with a circular issued by the Central Bank of Kuwait on September 30, 2025.

The circular clearly prohibits all merchants within Kuwait from charging any additional amount or fee from customers for using debit or credit cards through electronic payment services.

This ban will apply to all channels, including point-of-sale (POS) machines, payment gateways, electronic wallets and other digital payment methods.

It has been warned that legal action may be taken in case of violation. He also said that contracts between payment service providers, licensed commercial entities and consumers have been updated in accordance with the new guidelines.

The Central Bank of Kuwait has also issued this directive to all local banks, electronic payment service providers and electronic money institutions, clarifying that no fees or commissions can be charged from consumers for payments made using debit or credit cards.

The Central Bank has also instructed the relevant institutions to update their contracts and warned that the services of institutions that violate the regulations may be suspended.