Maestro Global Rules (PDF) - MasterCard

Europe Region
2.3 Area of Use
2.3.3.1 Central Acquiring Registration
Customers must have completed the central acquiring registration process
before they centrally acquire. The central acquiring registration letter specifies
the countries in which a Customer may centrally acquire intra-European POS
and electronic commerce Transactions.
In order to be registered for central acquiring, the Customer must meet the
central Acquirer criteria set forth in Rule 2.3.3.2 below.
2.3.3.2 Central Acquirer Service Requirements
The Customer must authorize, clear, and settle centrally acquired Transactions
in a manner that does not disadvantage the Cardholder, the Merchant, or the
Issuer involved in the Transaction in comparison with non-centrally acquired
Transactions. The Customer must also comply with the requirements defined
below.
1. Authorizations
Central Acquirers must provide Issuers with all information required in the
authorization request, as set forth in the Customer Interface Specification
manual.
2. Clearing
Central Acquirers must provide details in the clearing record of the location,
city, and country where the Transaction took place.
For specific Merchant sectors, central Acquirers must provide additional
information in the clearing record if required by the Europe Region, using the
message formats detailed in the IPM Clearing Formats manual.
2.3.3.3 Intracountry Rules
Central Acquirers must comply with the intracountry rules of a country in which
they centrally acquire Transactions.
The Corporation will provide central Acquirers, on request and upon payment
of the corresponding fee, with the intracountry rules of the country or countries
covered by the request.
2.3.3.4 Centrally Acquired Merchants
An Acquirer may centrally acquire Transactions from any Merchant located in
any one of the following Western or Central European countries: Andorra,
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Channel Islands, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark,
Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland,
Isle of Man, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco,
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, Vatican City.
©1993–2012 MasterCard. Proprietary. All rights reserved.
17-6 9 November 2012 • Maestro Global Rules