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---
title: "EBA Q&A 2018_4342 — Q&A — Chip and Signature cards and their inclusion in the remit [Final Q&A]"
shortTitle: "EBA Q&A 2018_4342 — Q&A — Chip and Signature cards and their inclusion in the remit [Final Q&A]"
answer_id: EBA_QA_2018_4342
status: "Final Q&A"
type: qa
instrument_type: qa
authority: EBA
binding: false
binding_character: non_binding
legal_status: in_force
regulation: "PSD2"
psd2_level3: true
mica_level2: false
legal_basis: "Article 98(4) PSD2"
date: 9 April 2021
source_link: https://www.eba.europa.eu/single-rule-book-qa/qna/view/publicId/2018_4342
lifecycle: "Final Q&A"
text_version: "EBA Q&A register, 9 April 2021"
source_url: "https://www.eba.europa.eu/single-rule-book-qa/qna/view/publicId/2018_4342"
check_status: matched
verified: true
last_checked: 2026-10-26
checked_against: "the EBA publication"
source:
  prepared_by: "EBA"
  published_by: "EBA"
  published_in: "EBA Single Rulebook Q&A tool"
  evidence:
    prepared_by: "Answer prepared by the EBA."
    locator: "EBA Q&A register entry 2018_4342, field 'Answer prepared by'"
document_type: "qa_answer"
legal_nature: "not_legislation"
addressees: "not stated in the document"
dates:
  published_on: "2021-04-09"
  question_submitted_on: "2018-10-24"
  locators:
    published_on: "EBA Q&A register entry 2018_4342, field 'Final publishing date'"
    question_submitted_on: "EBA Q&A register entry 2018_4342, field 'Submission date'"
lifecycle_label: "Final Q&A"
---

**Answer by the EBA, published in its Q&A tool · not legislation · published 9 Apr 2021 [Final Q&A]**

*Final Q&A · EBA Q&A register, 9 April 2021 · Checked against the EBA publication on 26 Oct 2026 · [Official source](https://www.eba.europa.eu/single-rule-book-qa/qna/view/publicId/2018_4342)*

| | |
|---|---|
| **Full title** | EBA Q&A 2018_4342 — Q&A — Chip and Signature cards and their inclusion in the remit \[Final Q&A\] |
| **Prepared by** | EBA |
| **Published by** | EBA, in the EBA Single Rulebook Q&A tool |
| **Reference** | EBA_QA_2018_4342 |
| **Document type** | Q&A |
| **Legal nature** | Not legislation |
| **Addressees** | Not stated in the document |
| **Dates** | Published 9 April 2021; question submitted 24 October 2018 |
| **Legal basis** | Article 98(4) PSD2 |
| **Related instruments** | None recorded |
| **Text on this page** | Word for word — the full text of the EBA publication |

**Chip and Signature cards and their inclusion in the remit of RTS Article 11**

### Question

Is cardholder signature a strong method of authentication when transacting with card present?

If so, is there a requirement to ensure that on Chip and Signature cards we step up to signature from contactless after 5 contactless /cumulative value of 150 euros?

If a signature is not considered to be strong customer authentication (SCA), are chip and signature cards exempt from SCA requirements under Article 11 of the RTS on strong customer authentication and secure communication?

### Background

Chip and Signature cards are generally issued to cardholders who have trouble remembering PIN/entering PIN on a key pay etc. These are typically customers who are vulnerable/have disabilities. Forcing them to use PIN at terminals (aside from ATMs) may be considered discrimination. Forcing customers to step up from contactless to signature is also a bad customer journey especially if the terminal is not attended e.g self servce in a supermarket.

***

### Answer

Q&A 2018\_4237 clarifies that a signature on a paper slip cannot be considered a valid factor in a two-factor strong customer authentication (SCA) under Directive 2015/2366/EU (PSD2) and the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/389 for approaches currently observed in the market.

Accordingly, while the exemption under Article 11 of the Delegated Regulation may be used for card-based payment transactions relying on chip and signature on a paper slip, provided that the respective thresholds are met, it would not be possible to apply SCA by using the chip and a signature only after the thresholds have been reached. In this case, the issuer of the payment card would need to ensure that other forms of authentication compliant with the requirements of PSD2 and the Delegated Regulation are applied.

***

**Source:** [EBA original document](https://www.eba.europa.eu/single-rule-book-qa/qna/view/publicId/2018_4342)

## Related Level 1 articles

- [Article 98 — Regulatory technical standards on authentication and communication](../../../articles/98.md)