The verdict in three sentences
Accepting payments online for a London SMB in 2026 means a one-off integration of 3,000 to 10,000 EUR and card fees of 1.2 to 1.8 % + 0.25 EUR per transaction. The PSP (Stripe, PayPlug, Mollie) handles PCI-DSS certification and data security, sparing you an internal compliance project. The real lever is not the headline rate but total cost: payout delays, refund fees, disputes and B2B features.
What you actually pay for
The budget splits into three blocks: technical integration (one-off), transaction fees (recurring) and an optional monthly tool subscription. Integration depends on scope: a simple payment link is wired in a few days, a full e-commerce checkout with subscriptions takes 2 to 4 weeks.
| Scope | Integration (EUR) | Timeline | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payment link / Pay by link | 800 - 2,000 | 2-5 days | Quotes, deposits, services |
| Checkout on brochure site | 3,000 - 5,000 | 1-2 weeks | Services, bookings |
| Full e-commerce (catalogue) | 5,000 - 8,000 | 2-4 weeks | Stores with 50+ products |
| Subscriptions + recurring billing | 6,000 - 10,000 | 3-5 weeks | SaaS, boxes, services |
| Multi-vendor marketplace | 12,000+ | 6-10 weeks | B2B platforms |
On variable fees, the 2026 grid (2026 order of magnitude, EU/UK) stays tight between providers, but the ancillary items widen the real gap.
| Fee item | 2026 range | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EU/UK card fee | 1.2 - 1.8 % + 0.25 EUR | Premium/non-EU cards cost more |
| SEPA / Direct Debit | 0.25 - 0.35 EUR flat | Ideal for recurring B2B invoices |
| Refund | 0 - 0.25 EUR | Flat fee rarely returned |
| Dispute / chargeback | 15 - 20 EUR | Per contested case |
| Payout | T+2 to T+7 | Impacts your cash flow |
Compliance, security and timelines
In 2026, strong customer authentication (SCA / 3-D Secure) applies to nearly all consumer card payments. The PSP runs the 3-D Secure flow, holds PCI-DSS certification and keeps payment data GDPR-compliant: you never store a card number. That transfer of liability is what justifies the fees and sharply cuts your legal exposure. Still budget work on terms, refund policy and clear tax-inclusive pricing.
Mini case study
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Mark runs a bespoke joinery SMB in London, 1.4 M EUR turnover, still collecting by bank transfer and cheque. He wants a payment link for 30 % deposits and a checkout for his standardised doors.
- Payment link + checkout integration: 4,500 EUR (one-off).
- Target online volume: 18,000 EUR/month, average ticket 900 EUR (20 transactions).
- Card fees at 1.5 % + 0.25 EUR: 18,000 x 1.5 % = 270 EUR + (20 x 0.25) = 275 EUR/month.
- Cash-flow gain: deposits collected at T+2 instead of T+21 on cheques.
Over 12 months: 4,500 + (275 x 12) = 7,800 EUR in year one, then ~3,300 EUR/year. Against a receivables line tying up 40,000 EUR of average cash, the payback lands in the first quarter.
FAQ
What is the minimum integration cost to accept payments online? A simple payment link (pay by link) costs 800 to 2,000 EUR and goes live in 2 to 5 days. It is the ideal entry point to invoice deposits or services without a full store.
What are the per-transaction fees in 2026? Expect 1.2 to 1.8 % + 0.25 EUR for an EU/UK card, less for SEPA/Direct Debit (0.25 to 0.35 EUR flat), more for premium or non-EU cards. A contested chargeback costs 15 to 20 EUR.
Who handles PCI-DSS and GDPR compliance? The PSP. With Stripe, PayPlug or Mollie you store no card number: PCI-DSS certification and SCA (3-D Secure) are covered, cutting your compliance budget to almost zero.
How long until I am live? From 2 to 4 weeks for a standard checkout, just days for a payment link. A full e-commerce build with catalogue and subscriptions can take up to 5 weeks.
Is a payment link worth it for a services SMB? Yes: with no store, you collect via email or SMS, with payout at T+2. For a B2B SMB this speeds up collection and removes bounced-cheque fees (up to 30 EUR per rejection).
Let's scope your project. Share your monthly volume, average ticket and collection type (link, checkout, subscription) for a framing budget. 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.
