Saudi Central Bank (SAMA)
Do I need a licence for merchant acquiring in Saudi Arabia?
Content reviewed 2026-08-14 · How we check sources
Short answer
Yes, if your company itself provides the regulated acquiring/payment service. SAMA’s payment-services framework governs payment service providers and requires the relevant authorisation for the services performed.
What this means
A merchant-facing software platform can be different from the regulated acquirer if a licensed PSP holds the acquiring relationship and settlement responsibility.
Map merchant contracts, transaction acceptance, settlement and chargeback responsibility before classifying the model.
Official sources
SAMA — Law of Payments and Payment Services ↗SAMA — Implementing Regulations of the Law of Payments and Payment Services ↗Does your situation differ?
Check the licensing perimeter ↗Ask with your entity, activity and regulator.
Regulatory research, not legal advice. This answer has the scope and review date shown above; your institution decides applicability.