Why You Need a High-Risk Merchant Account in Austria
Sometimes, mainstream payment processors in Austria label certain businesses as high-risk. This can be because of the industry type, the risk of chargebacks, and the complex regulatory framework around the industry. If you are an e-commerce or a service-based business in Austria and your application has been declined by low-risk payment processors, then you are definitely not alone. There are many merchants who struggle to get approved. Many businesses operating in industries like CBD, online gaming, adult, and nutraceuticals face such challenges.
When you are labelled high-risk by one payment service provider, it does not mean that all the doors have been closed. Supporting a high-risk merchant for credit card processing is a complex process, and you need a specialised payment service provider that has experience in doing so, understands the complexity of your industry, and has the tools in place to ensure that your account stays in good shape throughout its life cycle. Such accounts are called high-risk merchant accounts, and they are designed to cater to the needs of merchants from industries that are usually ignored by low-risk payment processors.
We are a trusted payment solution provider that works with multiple payment processors in Europe and supports businesses in various high-risk verticals. With our established reseller relationships with various processors, we can provide solutions to Austrian merchants who want to operate with full compliance, security, and scalability.
Why QuadraPay Should Be Your Preferred High-Risk Payment Gateway Provider in Austria
Direct Relation with EU-Based, Well-Known Acquirers
We work directly with leading European acquirers that understand the challenges faced by merchants from most industries. By avoiding unnecessary intermediaries, we connect you directly with these payment service providers so that you can improve the chances of approval and get access to lower MDR (Merchant Discount Rates). This will also help you get funds settled into your bank account quickly. Many merchants get settlements within 2 to 4 working days. This gives you predictable cash flow and high confidence in planning your business operations. Whether you are selling digital goods or offering high-volume subscriptions, our solutions will ensure smooth underwriting and minimal red tape.
AI-Driven Fraud Management
High-risk merchants in Austria and across the world face heightened exposure to chargebacks and payment fraud. That is why it is extremely important for the payment service provider to use all the required security tools such as real-time device fingerprinting, IP velocity checks, and AI-powered risk scoring. The good news is our partner processors implement such features to keep your account safe. Our systems adapt dynamically to transaction patterns, which gives you an edge in proactively mitigating risk while maintaining a high acceptance rate. With enhanced features like 3D Secure 2.0 and Address Verification System (AVS), you gain strong authentication without compromising the user experience.
Multi-Currency & Local Checkout Support
Our solutions support over 100 currencies for processing. This includes EUR, GBP, USD, CHF, and SEK. With the dynamic currency conversion feature, your international buyers can make payments on your website in their local home currency. This will increase your conversion rate and reduce cart abandonment.
Supported Payment Methods in Austria
Here is a quick overview of the payment methods that are supported by our partner processors for Austrian merchants. Please note that the availability of these payment methods can vary based on the selected provider.
| Payment Method | Availability |
|---|---|
| All Major Cards | Available |
| Apple Pay / Google Pay | Available |
| SEPA Direct Debit | Available |
| Virtual Terminal (MOTO) | Available |
| Recurring Billing | Available |
| IBAN Bank Transfers | Available |
| APMs (iDEAL, Klarna) | Available |
| Multi-Currency Payments | Available |
When you offer a wide array of payment methods to your customers, it builds trust and enables international sales. Your business stays agile and liquid.
Documentation Required for Austrian High-Risk Merchant Accounts
For your merchant account to be approved, you’ll have to go through a proper KYC process in which you will submit your business and personal documents to the registered payment service provider. They will evaluate all the submitted information and then decide whether to approve your account. If they do not say yes, then we will connect you with another provider until all of our options are exhausted. Here is a list of some documents that will be required at the time of application. Remember, certain additional documents may be asked for if you operate in specific industries that are regulated.
| Required Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Austrian Business Registration (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung, Aktiengesellschaft, Flexible Kapitalgesellschaft, Societas Europaea,Kommanditgesellschaft ) | Verifies legal status |
| Director/UBO ID & Proof of Address | KYC compliance |
| Austrian/EU Corporate Bank Account (IBAN) | Settlement & banking validation |
| Processing Statements (Last 3 Months) | Chargeback history & processing volume |
| Website WHOIS or Ownership Info | Validates business ownership & legitimacy |
| Website Policies (Privacy, Refund, Terms) | Regulatory compliance |
| Cover Letter (if past issues exist) | Explains context, increases approval chances |
Sending clean and complete documents will not only speed up the approval process but will also help to build trust with underwriters. Remember, when your account is approved, you need to ensure that you establish a long-term relationship with the payment service provider, so developing a good first impression is always a smart step.
E-commerce & Virtual Terminal Processing
QuadraPay offers you powerful tools that will help you process transactions quickly, regardless of whether you are operating in a low-risk or high-risk industry. We offer smooth integration with popular content management systems such as Shopify, Magento, OpenCart, and PrestaShop, so that your store can start accepting payments within just a few days.
For service-based and remote businesses, we offer virtual terminals that allow merchants to accept card-not-present transactions via phone or manual entry. This is ideal for travel agencies, legal firms, adult services, and e-learning platforms.
Your development team can leverage RESTful APIs and SDKs for custom app and web integration. Our solutions come with fast processing infrastructure, low latency, and minimal decline rates.
Transparent Fees & Faster Settlements
One of the biggest pain points for high-risk merchants in Austria and other countries is unfair pricing and slow settlements. The main reason behind this is that many high-risk merchants choose unsafe offshore solutions that are not dependable. Such merchants should explore payment service providers located in the same region where their business is registered. Unfortunately, many merchants are not aware of how to find such solution providers and that’s where we come in. We connect you with local payment service providers in the same region who work with high-risk merchants from various industries and offer truly affordable pricing and quick settlements.
| Fee Type | Offshore Providers | QuadraPay EU Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Setup Fee | €500+ | Often waived for qualified merchants |
| Processing Fee | 4.5% – 7% | As low as 2.95% |
| Settlement Timeline | 7 – 15 Days | T+2 to T+7 |
| Rolling Reserve | 10% – 15% | Can go as low as 5% |
We do not believe in hidden costs. Every fee and term should be clearly communicated to you, and that is our motto. That’s why we only work with payment service providers who share this principle, so you can plan your finances with precision.
Austria-Based, Globally Connected
Your payment gateway should scale with your ambition. That’s why QuadraPay enables you to accept payments from over 100 countries, using the power of well-known payment service providers in your region. Dynamic currency conversion supports your international shoppers, while a highly stable infrastructure ensures you can accept transactions around the clock from countries like Germany, the US, Italy, France, and many more.
How to Apply for an Austrian High-Risk Merchant Account
Launching a business in Austria starts with getting access to a merchant account. If you operate in a high-risk industry, you will need a payment solution that supports your unique business requirements and becomes a support system for your operations. Whether you are operating in e-commerce, nutraceuticals, or adult services, setting up the right merchant account should not be complicated. We will simplify this journey for you.
Backed by over 10 years of experience and a strong partner network of EU-based acquirers, we are your best resource.
From the initial step, where you contact us via our website, until your account is activated and live, we will be there to support you. We ensure every step is optimised to reduce friction, so you can focus on your business while we handle the heavy lifting.
Applying for a merchant account is simple and efficient:
- Fill out the pre-application form at QuadraPay.com
- QuadraPay team analyses your requirements and matches you with the best processors
- Introduction with the account manager at our processing partners via email
- Upload KYC and business documents securely to the provider
- Underwriting review
- Approval
- Integrate via plugin, API or virtual terminal
- Go live in 3–7 business days
Need help? Reach out via email at [email protected] or fill out the online application form.
FAQs: High-Risk Payment Gateway in Austria
Q1. What defines a high-risk merchant in Austria?
Merchants are often classified as high-risk if they operate in sectors with a history of high chargebacks, legal complexity, or reputational concerns. Examples of such sectors include cryptocurrency exchanges, travel agencies, nutraceuticals, subscription-based websites, CBD, and adult products.
Q2. How long does it take to get approved?
Most Austrian merchants are approved within 3 to 7 business days, if the documentation is clean and the business is transparent. In some cases, this time may be extended due to various reasons such as complex business models, delays in submitting additional documents, changes in the processor’s risk appetite, or sudden regulatory updates.
Q3. Is recurring billing supported?
Yes. We support automated rebills and subscription payments. These are ideal for businesses operating in industries such as coaching, SaaS, vitamin deliveries, and membership-based websites.
Q4. Are the gateways PCI-DSS compliant?
All of our payment service provider partners fully comply with the mandatory PCI-DSS industry standards.
Q5. What industries do you support?
We support a wide range of industries including:
Q6. How can I reduce chargebacks and declines?
Here are some smart ways to minimise chargebacks and payment declines:
- Use tools like 3D Secure 2.0, AVS, and , chargeback alerts.
- Clearly publish your terms, refund policy, and privacy policy on your website.
- Offer live customer support in German and local languages to reduce disputes.
- Choose a payment service provider that uses advanced fraud scoring technology and Address Verification Services (AVS).
Being proactive in risk mitigation will increase customer trust and protect your merchant account.