The POS (Point of Sale) is the terminal that lets you accept card and electronic payments. In Italy, having one and accepting electronic payments is a legal obligation for anyone selling goods or services, bars and restaurants included: refusing a card exposes you to penalties.
The obligation exists to support traceability and fight tax evasion, and over time it’s been reinforced with penalties for those who don’t accept card payments, even for small amounts.
Beyond the obligation
Beyond the law, a POS is now a commercial necessity: a growing share of customers carry no cash. The latest developments point toward pay-at-table and integration between POS, the electronic receipt and digital tip handling. Here we discuss digital tips and the future of the POS in Italy.
Frequently asked questions
- Is a POS mandatory in Italy?
- Yes. Accepting card payments via POS is a legal obligation for anyone selling goods or services, restaurants included. Refusing electronic payment exposes you to penalties.
- Can you refuse card payment for small amounts?
- No. The obligation to accept electronic payments applies to small amounts too; refusal is punishable.