From January 2027, drivers using fast electric car chargers in Spain, France or Italy will be able to pay with a bank card. The European Union’s new rules will make card payment standard at high-power charging points, removing the need to find the right app or operator card.
The EU’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), which took effect in April 2024, is entering its next phase. The rules apply directly in every member state, with no national delays or exceptions. For drivers, that means an end to the digital maze that has made long electric trips so complicated.
Every rapid charger rated at 50 kW or more, whether newly installed or already in service, will have to accept contactless and chip bank cards. The requirement has applied to new chargers since April 2024 and will soon cover the whole network. For slower chargers under 50 kW, the EU will require a QR-code payment option. Drivers will be able to pay with their phone and card in a few taps, without registering or downloading an app.
The regulation also requires a rapid charging station at least every 60 kilometers on the basic roads of the trans-European transport network. The aim is to reduce range anxiety and the need to plan trips around charging gaps. The EU wants electric travel to be as easy as filling up with petrol: lead, stop, pay, then go.
Official EU documents and industry sources say AFIR applies directly in all EU countries, so Spain, France and Italy cannot delay or override these requirements through national laws. Independent sector reviews in 2026 say older fast chargers on basic TEN-T routes will need card-payment terminals installed by 2027, while new stations must already comply.
For Spanish drivers, the changes will be most noticeable on cross-border trips. Until now, driving from Spain into France or Italy meant checking which operators worked in each country, then downloading several apps to handle different payment systems. As reported earlier, Spain’s electric car market is changing fast, but the charging experience has lagged behind. The new rules aim to address that.
Transparency is another part of the regulation. From 2027, all operators must show prices in euros per kWh, as petrol stations show prices per litre, so drivers can compare costs before plugging in. Real-time status will show whether a charger is available, busy or out of order. Drivers will be able to access this information through the car’s navigation system or a map service, reducing the risk of arriving without warning at a broken or unavailable charger.
If you’re planning a trip, bring a physical bank card for any charger above 50 kW. QR payments at slower points require a smartphone with a camera and data. Check charger availability before you go. These steps are intended to make charging easier and more predictable.
The regulation sets rules for payment and transparency but does not cap prices. Operators will continue to set their own rates, and prices will still vary between networks. Seeing and comparing costs upfront is a step forward for drivers.
Summer 2027 will put the new 60-kilometer rule under pressure as holiday traffic fills Europe’s highways. The network’s ability to keep up with demand remains uncertain.
The full legal text is available on the official EU legislation portal.
