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The Central Bank of Malta publishes the CBM Directive No. 21 on a Pan-European Scheme for Peer-to-Peer and Point-of-Interaction Payments

The Central Bank of Malta (the Bank) has published the  CBM Directive No. 21 (the Directive), establishing a regulatory framework for the harmonised adoption in Malta of a pan-European payment scheme supporting peer-to-peer (P2P) and point-of-interaction (POI) payments, including payments at physical points of sale and through online channels.

The Directive aims to promote greater efficiency, innovation and integration in the Maltese payments landscape, while supporting European strategic autonomy and reducing reliance on non-European payment solutions. It establishes the eligibility criteria and the process through which the Bank, in consultation with the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), will identify, assess and select a pan-European payment scheme for adoption in Malta.

Following the public consultation, the Bank has also published an accompanying  Post-Consultation Report, outlining the feedback received from stakeholders and the amendments incorporated into the final Directive.

The selected scheme will be implemented on a harmonised basis across the Maltese market, with the relevant obligations applicable to payment service providers taking effect on 1 April 2028.