Barclaycard Card Machine Fees UK 2026: Rates, Contract, Settlement

LAST REVIEWED 2026-09-06

What are Barclaycard card machine fees in 2026?

Barclaycard does not publish a standard in-person card machine rate; instead, pricing is customised based on your business. The monthly fee is £0 for the first 12 months, then £18 plus VAT thereafter. There is a one-off hardware cost of £29 plus VAT, and the contract term is 18 months.

To understand how Barclaycard compares, refer to the table below, which lists published figures from other providers. For example, SumUp charges a flat rate of 1.69% with no monthly fee, while Zettle charges 1.75% with no monthly fee. Barclaycard's customised rate means you must request a quote to see the exact percentage.

When evaluating Barclaycard's fees, consider the total cost over the contract period.

Check your quote for the transaction rate, as it may vary based on turnover, card types, and processing volumes. Also, confirm whether the £18 monthly fee is subject to VAT, as this will affect your total cost.

How does Barclaycard's pricing compare to other providers?

In the table below, Barclaycard's published monthly fee is £0 for 12 months, then £18 plus VAT, with an 18-month contract. In contrast, SumUp and Zettle have no monthly fee and no contract, but their transaction rates are 1.69% and 1.75% respectively. Square also has no monthly fee and no contract, with a rate of 1.75%.

Barclaycard's hardware cost is £29 plus VAT, while Zettle's hardware starts at £29 excluding VAT. Tide charges a monthly fee of £2.99 plus VAT and hardware from £11 plus VAT. Worldpay charges £20.00 per terminal monthly, but its contract and settlement details are not published.

For a business processing low volumes, a flat-rate provider like SumUp may be more cost-effective. For higher volumes, a customised rate from Barclaycard could potentially be lower, but the monthly fee and contract length must be factored in.

Consider the total cost of ownership over 18 months. For SumUp, with no monthly fee and no hardware cost, the total is £0, but the transaction rate is higher.

What hardware options does Barclaycard offer and at what cost?

Barclaycard offers card machines with a one-off hardware cost of £29 plus VAT. This is a single payment for the device, and it is not a monthly rental. The specific models available are not detailed in the published pricing, but typical options include countertop and portable terminals.

Compared to other providers, Zettle's hardware starts at £29 excluding VAT, which is similar. Tide's hardware starts at £11 plus VAT, which is lower, but Tide charges a monthly fee of £2.99 plus VAT. Worldpay charges £20.00 per terminal monthly, which could be higher over time.

When considering hardware, factor in the total cost over the contract period. For Barclaycard, the £29 one-off cost is relatively low, but the monthly fee of £18 after 12 months adds up.

Check whether the hardware is yours to keep after the contract, or if it must be returned. Also, verify if there are any additional costs for installation, maintenance, or connectivity, as these are not published.

How does Barclaycard handle settlement times?

Barclaycard offers next-day settlement for card payments. This means that funds from transactions are typically transferred to your business bank account on the next working day after the transaction is processed. This is a standard settlement time for many providers.

In the table, SumUp also offers next-day settlement, while Zettle offers settlement within minutes to a PayPal Business account. Square's settlement time is not published. Tide offers next business day settlement, and Worldpay offers settlement within 24 hours.

Next-day settlement can help with cash flow, but it is not instant. If you need faster access to funds, consider providers like Zettle that offer instant settlement, though this may involve additional fees or conditions.

Check with Barclaycard whether settlement occurs on weekends and bank holidays, as this can affect the actual timing. Also, confirm if there are any cut-off times for transactions to be included in the next day's settlement.

What are the contract terms and exit fees for Barclaycard?

Barclaycard's contract term is 18 months. This is a fixed-term agreement, and early termination may incur exit fees. The specific exit fee amount is not published, but it is likely to be based on the remaining months of the contract or a fixed charge.

In the UK, there is a cap on exit fees for card machine contracts, as detailed in the Card Machine Contract Length and Exit Fees in 2026: 18-Month Cap. This cap limits exit fees to a reasonable amount, often related to the remaining rental or service charges.

When signing up, review the contract terms carefully. Note the start date and the end date of the 18-month period. If you terminate early, you may be liable for the remaining monthly fees up to the cap.

Ask Barclaycard for a written statement of exit fees before committing. Compare this with other providers: SumUp and Zettle have no contract, so no exit fees. Tide's contract is not published, but it may have similar terms.

What is Barclaycard's regulatory status as a payment provider?

Barclaycard is a trading name of Barclays Bank PLC, which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. This provides a level of regulatory oversight that may be reassuring for businesses.

As a regulated entity, Barclaycard must comply with UK financial regulations, including those related to payment services. This includes safeguarding customer funds and adhering to data protection standards.

In contrast, some smaller providers may not be directly regulated, but they often partner with regulated banks for payment processing. For example, SumUp is authorised as an electronic money institution, and Zettle is part of PayPal, which is also regulated.

When choosing a provider, consider the regulatory status as part of your due diligence. Check the Financial Services Register for the firm's reference number and permissions. Barclaycard's regulatory status is a key factor for businesses that prioritise compliance.

Who is Barclaycard best suited for?

Barclaycard is suited for businesses that prefer a traditional bank-backed provider with a fixed contract and predictable monthly fees. The 18-month contract may appeal to businesses that plan to operate long-term and want to lock in a relationship with a major financial institution.

Businesses with higher transaction volumes may benefit from a customised rate, which could be lower than flat-rate providers. However, the monthly fee of £18 after 12 months means that low-volume businesses might pay more in fees relative to their turnover.

If you value next-day settlement and are comfortable with a contract, Barclaycard could be a fit. If you prefer no contract and no monthly fee, consider SumUp or Zettle, as shown in the table above.

Evaluate your average transaction value and monthly volume.

How do Barclaycard's fees compare to SumUp and Zettle?

In the table below, Barclaycard's monthly fee is £0 for 12 months, then £18 plus VAT, with an 18-month contract. SumUp charges a flat rate of 1.69% with no monthly fee and no contract. Zettle charges 1.75% with no monthly fee and no contract.

This comparison shows that for low volumes, flat-rate providers are cheaper. For high volumes, a customised rate might be lower, but the monthly fee and contract length must be considered.

What are the hidden costs in Barclaycard's pricing?

Barclaycard's published pricing includes a monthly fee of £18 plus VAT after the first 12 months, and a one-off hardware cost of £29 plus VAT. However, there may be hidden costs such as transaction fees, which are customised and not published, and potential exit fees if you terminate the 18-month contract early.

Other potential costs include chargebacks, which are fees incurred when a customer disputes a transaction. These are typically charged per occurrence and are not included in the published pricing. Additionally, there may be fees for additional services like PCI compliance, though these are not specified.

When reviewing your quote, ask for a full breakdown of all fees, including any setup costs, monthly minimums, or service charges. Compare this with other providers: SumUp and Zettle have no monthly fees, but their transaction rates are higher.

Check the contract for any automatic renewal clauses or price increases after the initial term. Barclaycard may adjust its fees after the 18-month period, so it is important to understand the terms.

How does Barclaycard's settlement compare to instant options?

Barclaycard offers next-day settlement, which means funds are typically available the next working day. This is slower than instant settlement options offered by some providers, such as Zettle, which settles within minutes to a PayPal Business account.

Instant settlement can be beneficial for cash flow, but it may come with additional fees. Zettle's instant settlement is available for a fee, while next-day settlement is standard. Barclaycard does not offer instant settlement as a standard feature.

For businesses that need immediate access to funds, consider providers like Zettle or other instant settlement services. However, next-day settlement is often sufficient for most businesses and is a common industry standard.

Check with Barclaycard if there are any options for faster settlement, such as same-day or instant, and what the associated costs would be. The Card Payment Settlement Times in 2026: Next-Day and Instant Payout Options provides a comparison of settlement times across providers.

Glossary: card payment terms explained

Customised rate: A transaction fee percentage that is individually negotiated with the provider, based on business factors like volume and risk, rather than a published standard rate.

Monthly fee: A fixed recurring charge for the card machine service, often covering support and account maintenance. Barclaycard charges £18 plus VAT after the first 12 months.

Contract term: The minimum period you must keep the service. Barclaycard's contract is 18 months, during which early termination may incur exit fees.

Settlement: The process of transferring funds from card transactions to your business bank account. Barclaycard offers next-day settlement.

Hardware cost: The one-off payment for the physical card machine. Barclaycard charges £29 plus VAT for the device.

Exit fee: A charge for terminating a contract before the agreed term ends. Barclaycard's exit fee is not published but is capped by UK regulations.

Checklist: what to check on a fee statement or contract

• Check if the quoted transaction rate is fixed or variable.
• Confirm the monthly fee is £0 for 12 months, then £18 plus VAT.
• Verify the contract length is 18 months and note the end date.
• Ask for a written statement of any exit fees before signing.
• Ensure settlement is next day and clarify cut-off times.
• Review the hardware cost of £29 plus VAT and whether it is one-off.

Each item above maps to a line that must appear in the PSR summary box or the contract schedule, so a missing entry is itself a question for the provider.

Frequently asked questions

Does Barclaycard publish its card machine rates?

No, Barclaycard does not publish a standard in-person card machine rate. Instead, pricing is customised based on your business's specific circumstances, such as transaction volumes and average ticket size. You must request a quote to see the exact rate. This is in contrast to providers like SumUp and Zettle, which publish flat rates of 1.69% and 1.75% respectively. The customised approach can be beneficial for high-volume businesses, but it makes comparison difficult without a direct quote.

What is the contract length for Barclaycard card machines?

Barclaycard's contract length is 18 months. This is a fixed-term agreement, meaning you are committed to the service for that period. Early termination may incur exit fees, which are not published but are capped by UK regulations. In comparison, SumUp and Zettle offer no-contract options, allowing you to cancel at any time without penalty. The 18-month contract may be suitable for businesses that prefer stability and are confident in their long-term plans.

Does Barclaycard offer next-day settlement?

Yes, Barclaycard offers next-day settlement for card payments. This means that funds from transactions are typically transferred to your business bank account on the next working day after the transaction is processed. This is a standard settlement time, similar to SumUp and Tide. However, it is not instant like Zettle's settlement, which occurs within minutes to a PayPal Business account. Next-day settlement is generally sufficient for most businesses, but if you need faster access to funds, you may consider other providers.

Do I need a Barclays bank account to use Barclaycard card machines?

No, you do not need a Barclays bank account to use Barclaycard card machines. Barclaycard is a separate division of Barclays, and its payment services can be used with any business bank account. However, having a Barclays account may simplify the settlement process, as funds can be transferred directly. It is not a requirement, and you can provide details of your existing bank account for settlement. Check with Barclaycard for any specific requirements during the application process.

Are there exit fees with Barclaycard?

Yes, Barclaycard may charge exit fees if you terminate your contract before the 18-month term ends. The exact amount is not published, but it is likely to be based on the remaining months of the contract or a fixed charge. UK regulations cap exit fees to ensure they are reasonable. For example, the cap may limit fees to the remaining monthly fees or a set amount. It is advisable to ask for a written statement of exit fees before signing the contract to avoid surprises.