Why are some European card payments declined on my ordering website?
Updated 16 October 2026
The bank wants an extra check. Under the EU's PSD2 rule, in force since 14 September 2019, card payments need strong customer authentication, usually 3D Secure.
- It applies when your business is in the EEA, serves EEA customers and accepts cards.
- Banks may decline a payment that was not authenticated.
- Stripe's hosted Checkout and Payment Intents handle the check automatically.
- Older set-ups on Stripe's legacy Charges API may see many declines.
Card checkout that handles the check
Customers pay by card on your Menuthere ordering website through your own Stripe account, and the secure checkout comes from Stripe.
Next questions
Sources (1)
- Stripe source, Stripe, read 30 September 2026