Frequently Asked Questions
What is 3D Secure?
This is a widely adopted security measure for online card payments. Along with entering the card details, customers are required to complete a second authentication, usually through a code from an SMS, token or mobile banking app. The transaction data is securely transmitted to the bank via the HTTPS protocol, with the customer’s information encrypted for optimal protection.
How is the payment gateway activated?
The Comgate payment gateway can be activated free of charge, following three steps:
The contract is concluded exclusively online, with clients not having to go to a branch to sign it, and an electronic copy of the documents is sufficient.
The e-shop is interconnected using a ready-made plug-in developed with over 100 e-shop platforms and web developers. E-commerce operators, with their solutions, connect the gateway using the instructions in the API documentation.
Card associations must approve the gateway before it can be launched. This approval is granted once the final validation has been completed.
What is the AML Act?
AML Act is the acronym for the Anti Money Laundering Act, a piece of legislation that obliges financial institutions to participate in the fight against money laundering. The entities concerned must, among other things, identify clients and their transactions, refuse to carry out suspicious transactions and report them to the relevant institution, maintain confidentiality of the measures taken, etc.
What is an API?
Application Programming Interface (API) is an interface for programming applications. Using the API protocols available on the support portal, it is possible to establish a connection between the payment gateway and the e-shop interface. This is useful for merchants who do not use a commercial platform but run their store using their solution.
What is Apple Pay?
This innovative payment method enables customers to seamlessly pay using a card stored in their Apple Wallet, facilitating convenience on Apple devices equipped with Touch ID or Face ID. Comprehensive details are available on the support portal.
How exactly do bank transfers function in a payment gateway?
Transferring funds between bank accounts can be facilitated through a bank button, PSD2 payment, QR payment, or by copying relevant data into an online banking environment. Online bank transfers are typically confirmed within a turnaround time, while standard bank transfers can take several days.
What is Comgate consulting?
It’s a Facebook group that connects traders, customers, programmers, accountants, or people interested in what’s happening in fintech. It is used to discuss and share tips and ideas about Comgate products, services, and other related topics.
What is a CVV/CVC code?
It is a three-digit numeric code used to authorise online credit card payments. Mastercard and Maestro cards use CVC (Card Verification Code, while Visa uses CVV (Card Verification Value). The three-digit code is not embossed on the card and, thus, cannot be printed on receipts.
What is the “Czech Republic pays by card” project?
It is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the card companies Visa and Mastercard. The project offers particular conditions for payment gateway and payment terminal services to small and start-up companies, non-profit organisations, and public authorities. Entities that qualify for the promotion will receive a free payment gateway or payment terminal service for six months.
What is the E-shop platform?
It is a technical platform used to construct an e-shop. There are commercial, open-source, and individual solutions that a payment gateway interface can connect to if it is to be used in an e-shop environment. The Comgate payment gateway supports more than a hundred platforms. Commercial platforms can use tutorials on the support site; open-source platforms may benefit from a list of plug-ins, and we offer an API protocol for custom solutions.
What is Edenred?
It is a company that focuses on employee benefits such as coupons and meal vouchers. Comgate payment terminal supports several meal voucher schemes, and this is one of them. To activate it, you must negotiate terms and conditions and conclude a contract directly with the meal voucher company.
What is the payment expiration?
The payment gateway’s default expiry time is seven days. In other words, the payment link will remain active for seven days. During this time, customers can complete the payment, possibly by changing the payment method. The standard payment expiry time can be changed via the client portal. The minimum time is 30 minutes, and the maximum is seven days. It is recommended to allow at least three days for standard bank transfers.
Dynamic payment expiry, selectable in the client portal, adjusts the expiry time according to the payment method, e.g., 30 minutes for card payments and two hours for bank transfers.
A longer expiry time allows more time for the client to complete the payment, for example, if they do not have their card. Shorter expiry times are helpful for faster turnaround of goods in the e-shop, as an order that the client may have changed their mind does not remain booked unnecessarily long.
What does the GDPR mean?
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a legal framework that protects EU citizens from the unauthorised handling of their data, including personal data. Comgate’s information on personal data processing can be found here.
What is Google Pay?
Google Pay is an electronic payment system from Google that makes it easy to pay with a stored-value card. Your details are stored in the Google Wallet app on Android phones or tablets or on a computer in the Chrome browser you used. Google Pay can then be used for contactless (NFC) payments at terminals and online at the payment gateway.
What is chargeback?
Chargeback refers to the refund of funds to the payer during a card transaction, which occurs when the payer denies that they provided instruction to pay by credit card or in the event of them claiming that goods or services were not received. The payer, not the merchant, initiates the chargeback.
What is an inline gateway?
iFrame facilitates the display of a payment gateway within a pop-up window positioned above the e-shop page, ensuring the customer remains within the e-shop environment throughout the payment process. This functionality is exclusively available for card payments; the customer is redirected to a separate page with the payment gateway for alternative payment methods. Comprehensive details regarding the technical implementation of this solution can be found in the API documentation.
How is the terminal installed?
Touchscreen payment terminals require no technical intervention. A courier delivers the terminal to the merchant, and then you connect it to the internet via Wi-Fi or by inserting a data SIM card, similar to an Android phone or tablet.
What is Interchange++?
A scheme for payment gateway tariffs under EU Regulation 2015/751 of the European Parliament and of the Council, sometimes referred to as MIF++ or IF++. It calculates transaction fees in three parts. The first is the interchange fee for the bank that issued the card. For cards issued to consumers in the EU, this is regulated at 0.2% for debit cards and 0.3% for credit cards. There is no uniform amount for other types of cards. The second part is the scheme fee charged to the card companies for Mastercard and VISA. The third part of the fee belongs to the payment gateway provider; the so-called acquirer fee covers the costs of operating the gateway and third-party services.
What is a client portal?
A client web portalwhere merchants can view all transactions that have taken place on a payment gateway or payment terminal in a given period, check payment status, view billing, analyse data and export it to CSV format, manage users who can see different types of information about your store, or perform technical settings. Instructions on how to use the client portal are available in the support portal.
How much does a payment gateway for an e-shop cost?
Payment gateway fees vary between providers not only in their amount but also in the principle of calculation. A fundamental difference exists between fixed price lists and MIF++ or Interchange++ price lists. MIF++ price lists are indicative by nature, and this information is usually included in the price list or contract. When comparing fixed prices and MIF++ price lists, a figure equal to 0.1 % of the cost should be added to MIF++ price lists—the standard difference between list prices and the actual cost.
Other items to evaluate in payment gateway price lists are:
Activation fee,
Payment fee (fixed and variable percentage),
When it comes to payment fees, you should consider everything, including fees for client cards issued in the EU and other cards with significantly higher fees,
Monthly fee,
Some operators apply special fees, such as the minimum transaction fee.
If unsure, ask your payment gateway provider for an indicative calculation based on your current payment history.
How much is it going to cost me to rent a terminal?
Are you interested in the monthly cost of renting a payment terminal? The monthly fee ranges from CZK 200 to 500, depending on the provider. Most providers calculate the fee based on a particular monthly payment volume. For example, if your monthly turnover exceeds CZK 100,000, there is no charge for renting a payment terminal.
Is it possible to obtain a payment terminal free of charge?
Yes, you can get a payment terminal for free. You have to fulfil a straightforward condition: this must be your first-ever contract on a payment terminal (based on your Company Reg. No., IČO in Czech). In this case, most providers grant a free six-month lease of the terminal. Moreover, all card payments up to CZK 50.000 per month are free for six months. Card payments exceeding CZK 50,000 per month are charged according to the provider’s standard price list.
Which is the most affordable payment gateway?
When looking for the most cost-effective payment gateway, you need to consider the differences between the marketing communication of the price and the actual costs charged. Some of the most common misleading practices of some payment gateway providers include the following:
Only the low processing fee for EU consumer payment cards is communicated well. The much higher processing fee for other types of payment cards is presented in documents that are difficult to understand or not presented at all.
Only a quarter of the fee is communicated in marketing, usually the processing or processor fees. The other parts of the fee are often hidden in the contract text.
The price in the offer is indicative only and is marked as the price in Interchange++ or MIF++ mode. The price quoted in such an offer is usually the cheapest possible price. The actual cost will usually be at least 0.1% higher.
The Comgate payment gateway offers fixed prices. Full pricing and contract documents are available on the website. We offer fair terms to both new and existing customers.
What is the best payment gateway?
The best payment gateway is the one that
1. Has the best conversion rate between initiated and completed payments,
2. Offers the lowest fees,
3. Provides high-quality customer service,
4. Supports the growth of the merchant, whether overseas or in the world of bricks and mortar (it also offers payment terminals).
Comgate’s payment gateway focuses on payment conversion rates. Features such as payment restart, alternative payment methods, payment deferral and intelligent expiry management increase the number of completed payments.
Which payment gateways operate in the Czech Republic?
We have compiled a list of the largest providers to compare payment gateways. Most of them do not publish their price lists or contract documents. The list is, therefore, not exhaustive and may not always reflect the current situation due to changes and promotions.
Adyen. Adyen’s payment gateway rates include a fixed processing fee and an additional variable fee that varies depending on the payment method. This second part applies to card payments in MIF++ mode, so it is an indicative amount. The company does not provide telephone support in Czech.
Comgate. Comgate provides payment gateway fixed-price services. Price lists and contract documents are publicly available on the web. Customers with higher payment volumes can choose from several price lists, such as the maximum Easy or the Profi price list. Comgate offers the same prices to new and existing clients.
GoPay. GoPay fees are MIF++, i.e., they are indicative prices. As part of promotional offers, this payment gateway provider approaches merchants with a fixed price designed for new, not existing, clients. The total calculation should also consider the settlement fee paid by the merchant for each transfer to their bank account.
Global Payments (GPwebpay). Global Payments publicly reports a fixed fee of 1% for client cards issued in the EU and 2% for other cards. The company has historically offered its services primarily in MIF++ mode.
PayU. The PayU payment gateway provider publicly quotes a fixed fee consisting of a percentage and a fixed amount. As part of the promotion, it offers a reduced rate for new clients. There is also a one-off fee for registering with PayU.
Shoptet Pay. The Shoptet Pay payment gateway runs on the Adyen platform and is specially integrated for Shoptet e-commerce users. Prices are quoted in MIF++ form. When comparing, please note that they are indicative fees. Most schedules include a merchant account transfer fee.
Stripe. Stripe advertises its fees publicly and in a fixed form and offers customised pricing for merchants with high monthly payment volumes or a unique business model. For additional fees, it offers services such as suspicious transaction analysis or accounting features. The company does not offer telephone support in Czech.
The Pay. The Pay has a fee structure based on the shop’s monthly turnover. The complete price list clarifies that the rate quoted by the marketing department only applies to regulated credit cards; other cards are charged at a much higher rate. When calculating the total cost, the minimum fee of CZK 5 per transaction must also be considered.
For a comparison of payment gateway offers, we also recommend sections How much does a payment gateway for an e-shop cost?, Which is the most affordable payment gateway?
How much does it cost to pay by card?
How much do they charge for a payment terminal? The fee consists of two parts. The first is a monthly fee for renting the terminal. The price can range from CZK 200 to 500 per month, depending on the provider.
The second part involves a fee for each transaction, which can vary considerably. Some providers offer a single fee for all types of credit cards. An example is the Easy price list for the Comgate payment terminal.
However, most providers offer fees based on the type of credit card used. A distinction is made between cards issued to individuals and businesses and cards issued to EU and non-EU nationals. The fee is usually a percentage plus a fixed amount. An example of such a fee is the professional price list for Comgate payment terminals.
What is a Mastercard?
A company that facilitates card payments between issuing banks and merchant banks. Its cards are accepted by Comgate’s payment gateways and payment terminals.
What does the currency of a payment gateway mean?
It determines the value of money in different markets. The Comgate payment gateway supports nine distinct currencies: CZK, EUR, PLN, HUF, USD, GBP, RON, NOK, and SEK, and it is available in 24 languages. The Comgate payment terminal accepts payments in CZK and EUR.
What is NFC payment?
Paying at a payment terminal using NFC (Near Field Communication) technology is also known as contactless payment. It lets you pay with a credit card, mobile phone or smartwatch by bringing it close to the terminal’s reader. It generates an electromagnetic field that allows the devices to transmit data to each other. Payment is made on mobile phones and smartwatches using cards loaded into apps such as Google Pay or Apple Pay.
What are deferred payments?
Deferred payment is a method known as BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later). It allows buyers to pay for goods up to several (e.g. 30) days later without incurring interest. Deferred payment is integrated directly into Comgate’s payment gateway with the providers Twisto, Skip Pay and Raiffeisenbank.
What does a recurring payment mean?
Recurring payments allow money to be automatically debited from a customer’s account after authorising the first payment through the payment gateway and agreeing to future transactions. They are charged to the payment card, and the merchant can choose the amount and interval. They are used, for example, to pay for subscriptions, web hosting, etc. Before making a payment, the customer learns about the terms and conditions, and if they accept them, they are redirected to the card payment gateway. The first time the customer fills in the required details, further payments are made within the agreed time without any other actions. From the merchant’s perspective, the feature is available on demand, subject to risk management approval, and requires minor integration changes and compliance with VISA and Mastercard card association requirements. Please visit the support page for detailed instructions.
What is PCI DSS certification?
It is a set of security requirements and rules that limit the risk of cardholder data loss and card fraud. The card associations VISA and Mastercard require it, and it applies internationally to organisations that transmit or store cardholder and card transaction data. Comgate is CI DSS Level I certified as of 2020.
How do I pay in three instalments?
It is a payment method that allows e-shop customers to pay only one-third of the price of the goods at the time of purchase and the remaining two-thirds in two monthly instalments without any increase. The method is integrated directly into the Comgate payment gateway interface in collaboration with Twisto and Skip Pay providers.
What is a payment gateway?
This solution allows online merchants to accept payments using various payment methods. It offers a high level of convenience and payment security to customers and e-shop operators. For more information on the features, integration, administration and use of the Comgate payment gateway, please visit the support page.
What is a payment institution?
It is the CNB licence under which Comgate provides its services. The licence is valid throughout the EU and does not limit payment volumes. The CNB supervises Comgate and meets strict criteria for handling payment data.
What is a credit card?
It is a card for cashless payments issued by banks to individuals and legal entities. The payment gateway and the Comgate payment terminal accept consumer and corporate VISA, VISA Electron, Mastercard and Maestro cards. Card payments are the most common payment method in e-shops, and transaction fees vary depending on whether the card is a consumer or business card and whether it was issued in or outside the EU. The payment gateway and payment terminal tariffs determine the fee amount.
What are payment methods?
The customer can make a payment on the payment gateway in several ways. The Comgate payment gateway offers various payment methods, including card payments, bank transfers, Apple Pay, Google Pay, deferred payments, and payments in three instalments with no surcharges.
What is a payment link?
A payment link that a merchant can generate and send to a customer who has placed an order, for example, by email, phone, chat or other means outside the e-shop environment. It can also be used to change an already placed order. The payment link can be generated in the client portal.
What is a payment terminal?
Sometimes referred to as a POS (Point Of Sale), a payment terminal is an electronic device that accepts card payments in brick-and-mortar businesses. Comgate payment terminals support contactless and traditional VISA and Mastercard payments via Apple Pay and Google Pay and accept electronic meal vouchers. The terminals have a touch screen and run on the Android operating system. They are portable and connect to the internet via mobile data or Wi-Fi.
What is the Comgate Support Portal?
It is a portal portal where merchants and customers can find detailed information and guides on all Comgate products and services.
What is a POS system?
It is a set of hardware and software used to record sales of goods and services in brick-and-mortar establishments. The Comgate payment terminal can be connected to the most common POS systems.
What does pre-authorisation mean?
Funds on the cardholder’s account can be temporarily blocked, e.g., for booking goods and services or when the final amount of the transaction is not known in advance. The freeze can last seven days and can be extended or lifted at the e-shop’s discretion.
What is PSD2?
Directive (EU) 2015/2366 of the European Parliament and of the Council (Payment Services Directive) builds on the previous Directive from 2007. It aims to improve payment services, encourage payment sector innovation, and help banking institutions adopt new technologies. The Directive creates a new standard for online payments by transferring funds between bank accounts, which has come to be known as PSD2 payments for short.
What is QR payment?
It is a payment method where the buyer scans a QR code in the mobile banking interface and uses it to pre-populate the details for a bank transfer. It is useful, for example, if the customer has a payment gateway open on a computer screen and wants to use a mobile phone to make a payment.
How does a payment refund work?
Refunding all or part of the amount paid to the customer. It is used, for example, when a customer returns the goods or services within a fortnight, as compensation for undelivered goods, or as a refund of an advance payment. The Comgate payment gateway allows you to refund payments made using all payment methods and in all currencies.
What is a payment restart?
Repeating a payment that the customer did not complete the first time helps to increase completion rates. In this case, the payment gateway automatically prompts the shopper to try again and offers a choice of payment card or payment method.
What are the risk areas concerning payment transactions?
A risk area includes such spheres of business where card payment is not prohibited but requires special treatment and terms that differ from standard terms. Payment services are regulated by the CNB, the Ministry of Finance, and the rules of the Visa and Mastercard card associations.
How does tipping work at a payment terminal?
A payment terminal feature allows the customer to tip the merchant by increasing the purchase amount. Comgate support will activate this feature upon request.
What does a payment reversal mean in connection with a payment gateway or terminal?
Cancellation is a function of the payment gateway and payment terminal. It is used when, for example, a customer cancels an order in an e-shop, a customer who paid by card at the terminal changes their mind, or the terminal operator enters an incorrect payment amount. For a payment to be successfully cancelled at the gateway, its status must be ‘pending’. A payment already made can only be reversed by a refund. It is possible to cancel the last successful transaction at the terminal.
Comparison of payment gateways. Where can I find independent comparisons?
For payment gateway comparisons, we recommend independent comparison sources. Here are some examples:
Arecenze.cz Comparison of the best payment gateways 2025 – winner: Comgate
5Nej.cz Comparison of payment gateways – winner: Comgate
Another comparison of payment gateways without identifying a winner:
UpGates Comparison of the Best Payment Gateways 2025
FAPI Comprehensive payment gateway comparison: How do you choose a payment gateway for your online business?
IPMnet Nine best payment gateways for e-shop owners
eBrána Payment methods and payment gateway selection
světWP.cz What is a payment gateway, and how does it work? Which are the best?
Mioweb How to choose the best payment gateway for a website/e-shop and what to look for?
NástrojeProWeb Best Payment Gateways 2025
What are meal voucher cards?
The Comgate payment terminal can also accept electronic vouchers. To activate the vouchers, you need to contact the relevant issuer, negotiate the conditions and conclude a contract. The terminal supports Benefit Plus, Chèque Déjeuner (UP), Edenred – Ticket Restaurant, Naše stravenka Lidl and Pluxee.
What is a transaction fee on a payment gateway or terminal?
This fee is charged for each transaction at the payment gateway and payment terminal. It covers the cost of operating the gateway or terminal and includes fees to the VISA and Mastercard card associations and fees to the issuing bank. It can be made up of a fixed part and a percentage, the amount of which varies according to the payment method and the shop’s turnover and is based on the payment gateway tariff and the payment terminal tariff.
What is an accounting system?
An accounting system is a program that helps merchants keep their books. Comgate’s payment gateway and terminals are linked to all standard accounting systems; transactions are imported at the click of a button or via ABO formatted statements.
What is a payment reminder?
A payment link generated in the client portal can remind the merchant of the customer’s outstanding order.
What is a balancing statement/subtotal on a payment terminal?
At the end of the business day, the payment terminal performs a balancing statement (balance) to check the actual status of the transactions made. After the transaction, it is reset, and any subsequent transaction is reflected in a new balance. A subtotal is also used to check the transaction totals. It summarises transactions since the last balancing. The difference between a subtotal and a balance is that a subtotal does not reset so you can run any number of subtotals between two balancing statements.
What is a variable symbol (payment reference number)?
It is a unique number used to identify individual payments in the accounting system. It can be manually entered on the payment terminal for each payment. The variable symbol is part of the data sent by the e-shop when the payment is created in the payment gateway.
What is VISA?
It is a company that facilitates card payments between issuing banks and merchant banks. Their cards are accepted by Comgate’s payment gateways and payment terminals.
How does the payment gateway process payment?
Customer payments are transferred to the e-shop account in one lump sum every working day after deducting transaction fees. The daily statement includes a breakdown of transactions in three formats (CSV, ABO and PDF). All daily statements are available for download in the customer portal and can be downloaded using the API.
A monthly statement for the previous month is generated on the sixth day of each month. It is available in the client portal and contains an overview of all daily transfers to the merchant’s bank account and the daily statements for that month.
In which sectors is the provision of payment services prohibited?
List of business areas where card payments are prohibited. The list is based on the rules of the VISA and Mastercard card associations.
How does saving card information work for future payments?
A payment gateway feature that saves the customer from having to re-enter their card details each time they purchase from the same e-shop. From the merchant’s point of view, it is advisable to offer this option if the customer is a regular shopper. The “saving card information” function is available on request, and card data storage is subject to the VISA and Mastercard card association requirements.
How can I get a payment terminal?
It’s quick and easy. You have to follow three simple steps:
1. Send an enquiry
Fill in the form on our website. We will contact you and review everything you need to sign the contract electronically. Click here for a link to the form.
2. Conclude the contract
The contract is signed online in an email. There is no need to visit a branch or meet in person, print or scan anything complicated, or change your bank account either; we will send payments to any local bank account. Click here for sample contract documents.
3. Activate the terminal
Once the contract has been signed, the terminal will be sent to you by courier. You can easily install it by following the instructions. All you need is an Internet connection via Wi-Fi or mobile data. If necessary, we will advise you by phone.