In September 2012, the supermarket chain stopped accepting cards for purchases of less than €20, because of the bank changes on these transactions and has saved an estimated €5 million a year.


"As we explained when we introduced the ban, this was because of objectively excessive costs related with the bank commissions that existed until now", the group said.


"We said the measure was temporary as we always intended to reintroduce this convenience regardless of the amount as soon as conditions allowed. That is what has happened this year", the company said.


Since 2 January, the Pingo Doce store as accepting card payments for any amounts.