The verdict in three sentences
In 2026, online payment integration for a Berlin SME costs between 2,500 and 22,000 EUR (excl. VAT) in development, depending on whether you plug in a hosted solution or a custom checkout with B2B payment on terms. The real cost hides in the transaction fees (0.9 to 2.9% + fixed commission) which, on 500,000 EUR of revenue, weigh between 5,000 and 15,000 EUR/year. 3-D Secure 2 and automated accounting reconciliation are not optional: they prevent unpaid invoices and dozens of hours of manual matching.
Integration cost by solution type
Three approaches coexist in 2026. The choice depends on your volume, your B2B needs (bank transfer, terms, multi-currency) and your standards for the payment experience.
| Approach | Dev cost EUR (excl. VAT) | Timeline | For whom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hosted redirect | 2,500 - 5,000 | 1-2 wks | Low volume, simple |
| Embedded Elements/SDK | 5,000 - 12,000 | 2-4 wks | Polished experience |
| Custom B2B checkout | 12,000 - 22,000 | 5-8 wks | Terms, transfer, ERP |
| Multi-provider (routing) | +6,000 - 10,000 | +3 wks | Fee optimization |
A hosted redirect (external payment page) sharply reduces PCI-DSS scope and therefore cost. Custom is only justified if B2B payment (30/60 days, matched transfer) is part of your model.
Comparing transaction fees
Recurring fees weigh far more than development over time. Here are the 2026 orders of magnitude for a European SME.
| Provider | Card fee | Fixed commission | SEPA/transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stripe | 1.4% + 0.25 EUR | yes | 0.8% (capped) |
| Mollie | 1.8% + 0.25 EUR | yes | 0.25 EUR |
| Adyen | 0.9% + interchange | negotiable | low volume |
| PayPlug | 2.9% (tiered) | 0.25 EUR | limited |
| Lemonway (B2B) | 1.2% + 0.20 EUR | yes | strong B2B |
Above 1M EUR in annual volume, Adyen or a negotiated Stripe rate become markedly cheaper than PayPlug or Mollie. Below 300,000 EUR, the simplicity of Mollie or Stripe outweighs chasing the rate.
Security, 3DS and reconciliation
A poorly integrated payment costs more in fraud and disputes than in development. Three building blocks are non-negotiable.
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| Block | Stake | Indicative cost EUR (excl. VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| 3-D Secure 2 (SCA) | PSD2 compliance, fewer unpaid | included / 1,000 |
| Reliable webhooks + retry | Trustworthy order status | 1,500 - 3,000 |
| Auto reconciliation (ERP/accounting) | Zero manual matching | 3,000 - 7,000 |
| Dispute/chargeback handling | Proof, refunds | 1,000 - 2,500 |
Automated reconciliation is the most profitable item: it removes hours of data entry and stabilizes cash flow, especially in B2B where amounts and terms vary.
Mini case study
Marc, head of a trading SME in Berlin (900,000 EUR online revenue, average basket 480 EUR), pays 2.9% + 0.25 EUR with his current provider, about 26,550 EUR/year in fees. By migrating to a negotiated rate of 1.3% + 0.20 EUR (integration at 9,000 EUR, delivered in 3 weeks), his fees drop to 12,075 EUR/year. Net saving: 14,475 EUR in the first year after the integration, then 14,475 EUR/year afterwards. Payback in under 8 months, without counting automated reconciliation that frees 6 hours/month of accounting.
FAQ
How much does a simple payment integration cost in 2026? A hosted redirect ships for 2,500 to 5,000 EUR (excl. VAT) in 1 to 2 weeks. That is enough for low volume with no B2B payment-on-terms need.
What transaction fees should I expect? Between 0.9 and 2.9% plus a fixed commission of 0.20 to 0.25 EUR. The rate becomes negotiable once your volume exceeds 500,000 EUR/year.
Is 3-D Secure mandatory? Yes, PSD2/SCA requires strong authentication for most card payments in Europe. Well configured, it also reduces unpaid invoices and chargebacks.
Can we offer 30/60-day B2B payment? Yes, via providers like Lemonway or B2B BNPL solutions. This adds 3,000 to 6,000 EUR of integration but greatly smooths B2B selling.
How long until go-live? From 1 week for a redirect to 8 weeks for a custom checkout with ERP reconciliation. Webhooks and end-to-end testing represent most of the timeline.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your annual volume, average basket and B2B needs (terms, transfer): we will cost the integration and the optimal transaction rate. Detailed quote within 48 h. 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.
