Can I pay by bank card at a charger?

At public charge points deployed since April 2024, yes: operators must accept card readers, contactless devices or, below 50 kW, internet payment such as a QR code.

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Payments and billing · Stop 03How does ad hoc payment work?Tap a bank card, charge, pay the final amount: the steps of ad hoc payment, with a terminal in the charger or one for the whole site.

At public charge points deployed since 13 April 2024, operators must accept electronic payments through at least one of: payment card readers, contactless devices that can read payment cards, or, below 50 kW, internet-based secure payment such as a QR code. From 1 January 2027, existing points of 50 kW and more along the TEN-T road network or in safe and secure parking areas must also offer a card reader or contactless device.

From “Which payment instruments”, stop 03

Terms

  1. TEN-TThe trans-European transport network, the EU's main roads and corridors, divided into a core and a comprehensive network; AFIR sets charging targets along it.
  2. Safe and secure parking areaA certified parking area for trucks with security and facilities for drivers; AFIR sets targets for truck charging stations at each one.
  1. How is a charging price made up?From a price per kWh, per minute, per session and any other component. At 50 kW and above, the ad hoc price is based on kWh, with an optional fee per minute.
  2. Is charging abroad more expensive with my card?Providers must show all price components before a session and may not apply extra charges for cross-border e-roaming in the EU.
  3. What must be on a charging invoice?On a full invoice under the EU VAT Directive: date, sequential number, VAT numbers, names and addresses, quantity, unit price, VAT rate and amount; up to 100 EUR, a simplified invoice with fewer details is allowed. Session details such as site, times and kWh make it easy to check.
  4. What does a signed meter value look like?An OCMF dataset: a JSON section with the gateway, the meter, how the user was identified and the readings at start and end, followed by the meter's signature. The meter's public key verifies it. The deep dive reads one line by line.
  1. EUR-Lex: Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 (AFIR), Article 5(1) to (5). https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1804/oj. Checked 13 Oct 2026. © European Union, reused under Commission Decision 2011/833/EU.
  2. EUR-Lex: Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 (AFIR), Article 5(1) to (5). https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1804/oj. Checked 13 Oct 2026. © European Union, reused under Commission Decision 2011/833/EU.