EAPS IMPLEMENTATIONS

A number of independent European card schemes are already enabling cardholders to use their cards for cross-border transactions under the EAPS framework.  As a result, these card schemes are enjoying the many benefits associated with EAPS participation:

LINK (UK) and Zentraler Kreditausschuss (Germany)

From July 2010, holders of German debit cards – known as ‘girocard’ – have been able to withdraw cash from 63,000 LINK ATMS across the UK.  This was made possible thanks to an agreement between EAPS participants LINK and Zentraler Kreditausschuss, which allows both card schemes to benefit from increased transaction flows. 

Consorzio BANCOMAT (Italy) and Zentraler Kreditausschuss (Germany)

In August 2009, a reciprocal arrangement between two EAPS participants led to ATM networks in Germany and Italy being opened up to debit cardholders from each country.  Consorzio Bancomat and Zentraler Kreditausschuss allow each other’s cardholders to withdraw cash from ATMs networks in Italy (BANCOMAT) and Germany (girocard) respectively.  To date, 44,000 German ATMS and 8,500 Italian ATMS have been opened under this agreement.  Cross border POS acceptance has also started between the two card schemes with 3,600 Italian POS terminals already opened up to German cardholders.