In Italy, point-of-sale (POS) systems are now a standard part of day-to-day operations in retail stores, professional offices, and service businesses. According to estimates by the Italian Confederation of Commercial, Tourist, and Service Business Operators (Confesercenti), the number of active terminals rose to approximately 3.87 million in 2025. This is up from 3.75 million in 2024.

In this expanding market, commission-free POS systems are particularly appealing to those who want to reduce the cost of each card payment. However, "commission-free" can refer to different options. Some replace the percentage-based commission with a flat fee up to a certain transaction threshold. Others eliminate the flat fee but charge a fee for each transaction. And others waive commissions only for small amounts or during promotional periods.

In this article, we explore what it means to choose a commission-free POS system, including the structure of POS system commissions, changes introduced by the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) 2026 protocol, and the integration between POS systems and electronic cash registers (ECRs). We also outline how to compare offers while considering total costs, rather than advertised percentages.

Key takeaways

• A commission-free point-of-sale (POS) system does not necessarily mean a free POS system. The absence of percentage fees on transactions can be offset by monthly fees, maximum transaction amounts, costs of terminals, or limited promotional offers.
  
• The cost of a POS system for a value-added tax (VAT)-registered business depends on the pricing model and nature of the business. A pay-as-you-go plan can be suitable for low or irregular collections, while a flat fee can be more predictable with a stable volume of electronic payments.
  
• The new protocol signed with the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) on 15 June 2026, aims to reduce the costs of electronic payments and make them more comparable. It specifically focuses on transactions of up to €30 and businesses with annual revenue of up to €400,000.
  
• Starting 1 January 2026, affected businesses must link their electronic payment devices to the devices used to record sales. This is a logical link that is managed through the services of the Italian Revenue Agency. It does not necessarily require a physical connection between the POS terminal and the electronic cash register (ECR).
  

What is a commission-free POS system?

The term "commission-free POS system" does not mean that the POS system is free. Instead, it refers to a variety of business options. There are two main options on the market: flat-rate plans and pay-as-you-go plans. Below, we examine their key differences.

Flat-rate POS systems

Under this model, the business pays a fixed monthly fee, which can cover transactions up to a certain collection threshold. Therefore, within that limit, there are no percentage-based fees charged on individual payments.

However, once the threshold specified in the plan is exceeded, additional costs can apply, such as percentage fees on excess transaction amounts. In some cases, it is also important to consider the cost of the terminal or other related services separately.

This option can be beneficial for businesses with fairly consistent electronic payment volumes, as it makes monthly expenses more predictable.

Pay-as-you-go POS systems

The pay-as-you-go model works differently. It generally does not involve a fixed monthly fee. Instead, it charges a commission on each transaction. Therefore, the cost increases based on the actual use of the POS system.

For example, it can be a suitable solution for seasonal businesses or businesses that process few electronic payments. There is no recurring fixed cost during periods of low usage.

When comparing a commission-free POS system with a pay-as-you-go offer, consider the following:

• How much would the business spend on average each month with each model?
  
• How predictable are the business's payment volumes?
  
• How do costs change when transaction amounts increase or decrease?
  
• Which option best suits the seasonal nature of the business?
  

How the costs of POS systems work in Italy

The fee in the contract with the provider does not correspond to a single item. Several parties are involved in card payments, and the final price charged to the business reflects various components. Therefore, understanding how POS system commissions for stores are calculated helps in comparing offers based on different pricing structures.

Interchange fees

The interchange fee is paid to the card issuer. In the EU, Regulation (EU) 2015/751 sets a limit of 0.2% of the transaction value for debit cards and 0.3% for many credit cards. The regulation provides for certain exceptions, so these limits do not automatically represent the final POS system commission paid by the business.

Network commissions

A second component consists of payment network commissions. These are the costs associated with the networks that process transactions, and they can vary depending on the payment network, type of card, and transaction details.

Payment service provider margins

In addition to the interchange commission and network commissions, the payment-service provider typically charges its own markup to cover costs associated with certain activities. These include transaction processing, authorisation, and settlement, as well as the technology and services made available to the business. Therefore, this markup represents the portion that goes to the provider as compensation for the service.

MEF protocol

The framework for electronic payment costs also includes the protocol signed with the MEF by the sector's leading associations. The agreement does not establish a single POS system commission but aims to promote more favourable terms for certain transactions. The measures introduced by the 2026 protocol are discussed in detail in the section on regulatory changes.

Does "zero-commission policy" mean zero costs?

When evaluating a commission-free POS system, always check which costs are actually waived and under what conditions. The charge can reappear at various points in the offer, even when a standard percentage is not applied to each transaction.

Transaction thresholds or offer requirements

The waiver can apply only up to a certain payment volume or for transactions below a certain amount. Certain conditions can also be limited to businesses that fall within specific revenue brackets.

To estimate the cost of a POS system for a value-added tax (VAT)-registered business, check the following:

• Does the zero-commission policy apply to all cards and payment types or only in certain cases?
  
• Must the terminal be purchased or rented separately?
  
• Do certain services associated with the POS system involve additional costs?
  
• What conditions apply once the promotion ends, and are there any term restrictions or cancellation fees?
  

Hardware costs

Even when transaction commissions are waived, the terminal can still have a cost. The device can be sold, rented, or included in the monthly fee. There can also be different costs for portable models, data connections, or other services.

If a business has multiple registers or points of sale, the cost of the hardware can impact the total and make a seemingly inexpensive offer less cost-effective. Therefore, this item needs to be included in the cost of the POS system for a VAT-registered business, especially when the business requires multiple payment terminals.

Contractual restrictions and subsequent costs

Other factors to consider include minimum contract terms, renewal terms, conditions that apply when promotions end, and cancellation fees. A POS system with low commissions in the first year can end up being more expensive later if the preferential terms expire.

Regulatory updates in 2026 on electronic payments for businesses in Italy

In 2026, two distinct developments took effect. Below, we examine the new protocol on electronic payment commissions and the implementation of the connection between POS systems and payment certification tools.

New protocol on electronic payment costs

On 15 June 2026, a new memorandum of understanding on the costs of electronic payments was signed with the MEF. The agreement involves associations representing banks and payment service providers.

This includes the Italian Banking Association (ABI), along with Italy's leading business and trade organisations, such as the Italian Confederation of Craft Trades and Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises (CNA), the General Confederation of Italian Crafts (Confartigianato Imprese), the Italian General Confederation of Enterprises, Professions and Self-Employment (Confcommercio), Confesercenti, and the Federation of Public Establishments (FIPE).

The protocol – which is valid for two years and is voluntary – calls on participating businesses to promote initiatives targeting, at a minimum, businesses with annual revenues of up to €400,000. It is intended to help reduce the impact of costs for low-value transactions, including amounts not exceeding €30 and specifically transactions up to €10.

The protocol also states that bids must be submitted using standard templates to facilitate comparison. It also calls on payment service providers to include at least one offer aimed at businesses with annual revenue of up to at least €750,000.

Connections between POS systems and ECRs

Since 2026, there has also been a requirement to link electronic payment tools to the tools used for certifying payments. The ECR is the device used by eligible businesses to store payment data and transmit it electronically to the Italian Revenue Agency.

This requires a logical link, not necessarily a physical one. The association is registered using the features available in the "Invoices and Receipts" section of the Italian Revenue Agency's website and does not require any hardware modifications to the cash register.

For POS systems already in use as of January 2026, the initial deadline was 20 April 2026. For new activations or subsequent variations, the connection must be established between the sixth and the last day of the second month following the activation or variation.

This change does not directly affect POS system commissions for stores, but it does add a compliance requirement when businesses activate or replace payment devices.

How to compare offers for POS systems

To determine whether a commission-free POS system is truly more cost-effective than a pay-as-you-go plan, compare the offers using actual business data. The starting point can be the average monthly transaction amount, along with the number of payments and their average value.

To compare offers, apply these items to the average payment volume. If the business is seasonal, take into account the months with the highest and lowest collections.

Important points about POS systems beyond advertised fees

When choosing a POS system provider, in addition to commissions, there are other important factors that directly impact the day-to-day management of a business. These include the timing of payment collection, reliability of the service, and support available when problems arise.

These factors can become even more important if a business accepts many electronic payments or relies on a steady cash flow. For example, differences in the time it takes for funds to be credited or service interruptions can have more tangible impacts on operational management than simple comparisons of percentages suggest.

Speed of crediting, reliability, and support

The time it takes for funds to be credited directly affects a business's cash flow. Knowing when the business will actually have access to the amounts collected can help with planning payments and other expenses. Be sure to check the fees charged, standard lead times stated by the provider, and any conditions for receiving the funds more quickly.

Also, consider the reliability of the service and the support options available in case of technical issues. For a business that accepts electronic payments every day, issues with the POS system can have immediate negative implications for sales.

Transparency about costs and processing times

Businesses can also compare providers based on how easy it is to find information about costs and payment processing times. For example, Stripe Payments and Stripe Terminal publish their standard rates online, listing in-person payment commissions and hardware costs separately. Terminal is Stripe's solution for accepting in-person payments using card readers and other compatible devices, integrating them with the same infrastructure used for online payments.

Stripe also publishes settlement timing by country. For accounts in Italy, after the initial period, funds are typically available within a standard time frame of three business days.

Rather than focusing solely on the promise of a "commission-free POS system," businesses can use these same criteria – transparency of costs, processing times, and quality of service – to evaluate any POS system offer.

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FAQs about commission-free POS systems