The verdict in three sentences
The real budget of a B2B payment setup in Dubai is not just the PSP rate: it adds integration (4,000-12,000 EUR), transaction fees (1.4-1.9%), bank transfers (0.20-0.50 EUR), chargebacks (15-25 EUR) and maintenance (400-900 EUR/month). At a day rate of 500-700 EUR, integration takes 4 to 8 weeks. The most powerful lever to cut the bill: shift large baskets to bank transfer rather than card.
Total cost over 12 months by volume
Assumption: average basket 1,500 EUR, 50% card / 50% transfer, Stripe (1.4% + 0.25 EUR card, 0.30 EUR transfer). Integration 8,000 EUR + 600 EUR/month maintenance.
| Monthly volume | Transactions/month | PSP fees/month | Maintenance/month | Year 1 cost (integration incl.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30,000 EUR | 20 | ~ 165 EUR | 600 EUR | ~ 17,180 EUR |
| 75,000 EUR | 50 | ~ 410 EUR | 600 EUR | ~ 20,120 EUR |
| 150,000 EUR | 100 | ~ 820 EUR | 600 EUR | ~ 25,040 EUR |
| 300,000 EUR | 200 | ~ 1,640 EUR | 600 EUR | ~ 34,880 EUR |
| 600,000 EUR | 400 | ~ 3,280 EUR | 600 EUR | ~ 54,560 EUR |
Reading: at 30,000 EUR/month, integration and maintenance weigh more than PSP fees; at 600,000 EUR/month, transaction fees dominate — hence the value of bank transfers at high volume.
Levers to cut fees
| Lever | Potential gain | Effort |
|---|---|---|
| Bank transfer on baskets > 2,000 EUR | -1.4% on those baskets | Low (config) |
| Direct debit for recurring | ~0.30 EUR instead of % | Medium |
| Move to interchange++ (high volume) | -0.3 to -0.5% effective | Adyen contract |
| Reduce chargebacks (3-D Secure) | -15 to -25 EUR/dispute avoided | Low |
| Optimize currency mix | Avoid conversion fees | Medium |
| Bundle maintenance (annual plan) | -10 to -20% on retainer | Low |
In B2B, the winning duo is simple: 3-D Secure to cut chargebacks + bank transfer on large baskets. Together they often reduce the PSP bill by 20 to 40%.
Mini case study
Aisha, manager of a services SME in Dubai, processes 150,000 EUR/month (100 transactions, 1,500 EUR basket), currently 100% card: Stripe fees = 100 x (1.4% x 1,500 + 0.25) = 2,125 EUR/month (25,500 EUR/year). By shifting the 40% of baskets above 2,000 EUR to bank transfer: 40 transfers at 0.30 EUR (12 EUR) + 60 cards (1,275 EUR) = 1,287 EUR/month. Saving: 838 EUR/month or ~10,000 EUR/year — enough to fund the integration (8,000 EUR) in the first year, maintenance included.
FAQ
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What is the real total cost of B2B payments in Dubai in 2026?
Integration 4,000-12,000 EUR + PSP fees 1.4-1.9% + maintenance 400-900 EUR/month + chargebacks 15-25 EUR. Over a year, budget 17,000 to 55,000 EUR by volume.
Does bank transfer really cut the bill?
Yes: 0.20-0.50 EUR per transfer versus 1.4-1.9% per card. On a 2,000 EUR basket, the saving exceeds 27 EUR per transaction.
What does a chargeback cost?
Between 15 and 25 EUR of PSP fees per dispute, plus the risk of losing the goods. 3-D Secure shifts liability to the buyer's bank.
What day rate for integration?
Between 500 and 700 EUR/day for an experienced payment integrator, i.e. 4 to 8 weeks depending on complexity.
Can PSP fees be negotiated?
At high volume (> 50,000 EUR/month), yes: move to interchange++ (Adyen) or a negotiated Stripe rate. Below that, standard rates apply.
Let's scope your project. Send us your monthly volume, average basket and card/transfer mix: we price the 12-month total cost and the saving levers. 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.
