EU-level push payment fraud reimbursement debate heats up as Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen addresses Member States' ability to act independently. The issue concerns consumers duped into authorizing payments to fraudsters, often losing significant sums. This stance is likely to provoke reactions from consumer protection groups, the banking and payment services sectors, national regulators, and ultimately EU citizens relying on secure payments.
This explanation comes in response to a parliamentary question from Lynn Boylan, MEP for The Left, seeking clarity on whether Member States can impose mandatory reimbursement for authorised push payment (APP) fraud within EU law — inspired by the UK’s national scheme.
Von der Leyen's answer highlights Directive (EU) 2015/2366 (PSD2), which enshrines a maximally harmonized EU-wide liability framework for payment transactions, limiting Member States’ freedom to create divergent national regimes. The Commission points to ongoing legislative reforms under the Payment Services Directive 3 and Payment Services Regulation packages, aiming to beef up APP fraud prevention and reimbursement. A provisional political agreement on this modernization was reached in November 2025, but concrete details on new rules remain under negotiation.
The policy orientation favors strengthening EU-level harmonization and consumer protection while avoiding fragmentation of rules at national levels. It prioritizes enhanced fraud prevention and reimbursement improvements centrally coordinated over freewheeling national mandates.
Consumers stand to gain better protection and reimbursement clarity; banks and payment service providers may face stricter operational standards and compliance costs. National authorities will need to adapt to evolving EU rules limiting their legislative independence on APP reimbursement. Finally, the Commission asserts its role as the arbiter of a unified, streamlined payments regulatory environment. The forthcoming finalized EU regulations should signal the definitive direction and scope of these protections.