The verdict in three sentences
For a services SME in Dublin (training, consulting, subscriptions) that wants to take card payments from local and overseas clients, the right choice depends first on settlement currency and payout delay, before the headline rate. Card fees range from 1.4% to 3.5% per transaction depending on the gateway and whether the card is issued inside or outside the EEA, and opening a merchant account takes 1 to 6 weeks with a complete KYC file. At Kolonell, gateway integration is included in an e-commerce website at 1,000,000 to 3,000,000 FCFA (EUR 1,520 to 4,570).
The three gateway families available in Dublin
An Irish SME has three realistic options in 2026. A payment platform (Stripe and similar) opens in days, with published rates and no fixed fees. A bank merchant acquiring contract goes through an acquirer with a heavier file and often a negotiable rate above a certain volume. An enterprise processor (Adyen, Worldpay and similar) suits higher volumes with interchange-plus pricing and minimum monthly billing.
| Criterion (2026 order of magnitude) | Payment platform | Bank acquiring contract | Enterprise processor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fee per EEA card transaction | 1.5% to 1.9% + EUR 0.25 | 1.4% to 1.8% (negotiable) | Interchange plus 0.2% to 0.6% |
| Fee per non-EEA card | 2.5% to 3.5% | 2.5% to 3% | 2.5% to 3% |
| Settlement currency | EUR, multi-currency available | EUR | Multi-currency |
| Payout delay | D+2 to D+7 | D+1 to D+3 | D+1 to D+3 |
| Account opening | 1 to 7 days | 3 to 6 weeks | 3 to 6 weeks |
| Fixed fees | Usually none | Set-up fee, sometimes monthly terminal or gateway fee | Monthly minimum billing |
| Foreign cards accepted | Yes, with stronger checks | Yes | Yes |
The KYC file and causes of rejection
Most delays come from an incomplete file or a non-compliant website. The gateway checks that your business is real, that your terms are published and that the checkout is secure.
| Document or requirement | Why it is requested | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| CRO number and company constitution | Legal identification | Registered activity differs from what is sold |
| Director ID and beneficial owners | Identify management and beneficial owners | Beneficial owner not declared |
| Business bank account details | Payout account | Account in the director's personal name |
| Terms of sale, refund policy, legal notice | Buyer protection | Missing or generic pages |
| HTTPS website with clear prices | Compliance check | Site still under construction at review |
| 3-D Secure enabled | Strong customer authentication, liability shift | Disabled to reduce drop-offs |
3-D Secure is mandatory for most EEA card payments under strong customer authentication rules. It reduces fraud risk and shifts chargeback liability to the issuing bank. It adds a step (SMS code or approval in the banking app) that costs a few sales, especially with overseas cards. Bypassing it exposes you to chargebacks and account suspension if the dispute rate exceeds about 1%.
What website integration includes
| Item | Included in a Kolonell e-commerce website (1,000,000 to 3,000,000 FCFA) |
|---|---|
| Connection to the chosen gateway | Yes, in test then live environment |
| Alternative methods (Apple Pay, Google Pay, SEPA) | Yes, where the gateway supports them |
| Confirmation webhooks | Yes, automatic order or subscription update |
| Automatic PDF invoices | Yes |
| Legal pages ready for KYC | Yes, to be validated by your adviser |
| Maintenance after launch | 35,000 to 120,000 FCFA per month depending on plan (EUR 50 to 180) |
Mini case study
Aoife, finance director of a professional training firm in Dublin, sells sessions at EUR 380 (about 250,000 FCFA). Her clients outside Ireland often drop out because they can only pay by bank transfer. She picks a payment platform at an average blended rate of 3.2% including non-EEA cards. If card payment lets her close 4 extra registrations per month, she takes in EUR 1,520 more, minus about EUR 49 in fees. For an e-commerce website at 2,000,000 FCFA (about EUR 3,050), the investment is covered in just over 2 months, according to this estimate.
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FAQ
How much does card payment cost for a Dublin SME in 2026?
Plan 1.4% to 1.9% for EEA cards and 2.5% to 3.5% for non-EEA cards, depending on the gateway. A bank acquiring contract can go lower with volume.
How long does it take to open a merchant account?
From 1 to 7 days on a payment platform and 3 to 6 weeks with a bank acquirer, provided the KYC file is complete and the site is live with its terms of sale.
Can we be paid in other currencies?
Yes, payment platforms and enterprise processors offer multi-currency settlement in EUR, GBP or USD. Bank acquirers usually settle in EUR only, with conversion fees of 1% to 2% on foreign cards.
Should we offer other methods alongside cards?
Yes for B2B clients: SEPA transfers and direct debits cost less than 1% and suit subscriptions. Apple Pay and Google Pay reduce drop-offs on mobile.
What does technical integration cost?
At Kolonell, it is included in an e-commerce website at 1,000,000 to 3,000,000 FCFA (EUR 1,520 to 4,570). Only gateway fees remain at your expense.
Let's scope your project. Tell us about your clients, your average prices and the currency you want to be paid in: we will price an e-commerce website with card payment between 1,000,000 and 3,000,000 FCFA (EUR 1,520 to 4,570). Detailed quote within 48 h via our quote form. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
