Maestro Global Rules (PDF) - MasterCard

The intra-European Maestro Rules, including interchange fees, apply to
intra-European Transactions.
Europe Region
3.1 Standards
The Rules in this Europe chapter allow access to PIN-Based In-Branch Terminals
in bank branches for all Cards. This service is not available for MasterCard cards
that do not display the Marks. Such service involves the manual intervention of
a bank clerk, while ATMs, indoors or outdoors, do not. Issuers must support
the PIN-Based In-Branch service; for Acquirers, it is optional.
3.1.3 Rules Applicable to Intracountry Transactions
The following are additional Rules applicable to intracountry Transactions.
Refer to Rule 10.8 in Part 1 of this rulebook regarding the establishment of
intracountry interchange fees and intracountry service fees.
The following two options apply as regards establishment of the rules to be
applied to Intracountry Transactions. Customers may change from one option
to another upon notice in writing to MasterCard Europe, and fulfillment of any
requirements associated with the new option.
Maestro Global Rules (the Rules)
Customers may apply the Rules (including Europe Region Rules) to Intracountry
Transactions. If one of the other options does not apply, then this option
applies by default.
Intracountry Fallback Rules (75 percent Rule)
If permitted by local law, Customers holding Licenses for the country (including
SEPA Licenses) and representing, during the year preceding the agreement,
at least 75 percent of each of the Maestro issuing and acquiring intracountry
Volumes (excluding on-us Volumes), have the power to agree on fallback
rules applicable to all Intracountry Transactions, including those acquired by
Customers outside the country. Intracountry fallback rules must be agreed by a
least two Issuers and at least two Acquirers Licensed to engage in Activity in
the country.
The percentage is calculated separately for each Card product, as determined
by the Card product identifier, and functionality (POS vs. ATM).
Intracountry fallback rules remain in effect until changed or challenged. If
intracountry fallback rules are challenged because the Customers agreeing to
them no longer meet the 75 percent threshold, the Rules (including the Europe
Region Rules) will apply in their place, as from the date when MasterCard
Europe has determined that the 75 percent threshold is no longer met.
Intracountry fallback rules must be non-discriminatory, justifiable, and not in
conflict with the Rules (including the Europe Region Rules). Intracountry
fallback rules must not discriminate against Cardholders (including international
Cardholders) or jeopardize the integrity and consistency of the payment scheme.
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Maestro Global Rules • 9 November 2012 17-9