PCI Non Compliace Fees

30-Second Overview

A PCI non-compliance fee is a charge imposed on businesses that fail to meet the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). These fees are levied by banks and card processors to encourage compliance and protect sensitive cardholder data. Understanding these fees is essential for avoiding unnecessary costs, mitigating security risks, and maintaining a trusted payment environment.

What is PCI Compliance?

PCI Compliance refers to adhering to the PCI DSS, a set of standards designed to protect cardholder data and reduce the risk of fraud. It applies to all businesses that store, process, or transmit credit card information. Compliance ensures that your business implements:

Secure network infrastructure
Strong access control measures
Encryption of sensitive data
Regular monitoring and testing of systems

Failure to meet these standards can result in financial penalties, reputational damage, and increased vulnerability to cyberattacks.

What is PCI Compliance?

PCI compliance fees are regular charges from payment processors to help businesses maintain adherence to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). These fees typically cover annual self-assessments, vulnerability scans, and access to compliance tools, and usually range from €5–€20 per month or €50–€240 annually, depending on your merchant level and provider.

Unlike PCI non-compliance fees, which are penalties for failing to meet standards, compliance fees are a proactive investment in secure card processing and avoiding costly penalties.

What Are PCI Non-Compliance Fees?

A PCI non-compliance fee is a monthly or annual charge applied by your merchant service provider or acquiring bank when your business is not compliant with PCI DSS. It is imposed where the merchant has neglected to do something on their end to keep their account compliant. Failure to complete or maintain the Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) is the most common reason for a PCI non-compliance fee to be charged.

Unfortunately, your provider may impose a PCI non-compliance fee without notice and it will continue to charge this fee every month until you bring your account back into compliance. PCI non-compliance fees vary from one provider to the next, but the industry average is approximately €25 per month. Your provider may charge both a PCI compliance and non-compliance fee at the same time.

Why These Fees Exist

Incentivize compliance – encourage businesses to adhere to security standards.
Offset risk – cover potential costs of data breaches or fraud.
Maintain trust – protect the integrity of the payment ecosystem.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Being non-compliant can have serious consequences, beyond fees:

Financial Penalties – fines imposed by banks or card networks.
Liability for Data Breaches – if a breach occurs, your business may be responsible for fraudulent charges.
Higher Processing Costs – non-compliant businesses may face increased transaction fees.
Reputational Damage – loss of customer trust if data is compromised.
Account Termination – prolonged non-compliance can lead to losing your merchant account.

How to Avoid PCI Non-Compliance Fees

Complete annual PCI DSS self-assessment questionnaires (SAQs)
Use secure payment gateways and card readers
Implement strong security protocols for networks and devices
Train staff to handle cardholder data safely
Regularly monitor and update systems to patch vulnerabilities

Removing PCI Non-Compliance Fees

The legitimate purpose of the PCI non-compliance fee is to encourage businesses to become compliant. If you see a non-compliance fee on your merchant services statement, call your provider and enquire about having it removed. You’ll likely have to become compliant before they will stop charging the non-compliance fee. Fortunately, PCI compliance is often not as painful as it sounds. In the case of retail businesses that swipe the majority of transactions, compliance can be as simple as completing the Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ).