Guide · Electronic payments in Syria
Electronic payments in Syria: how they work in 2026
Syria's electronic payment framework is now anchored in Central Bank regulation, licensed providers and bank-connected rails. Here is what that means for merchants and consumers.
Electronic payments in Syria are payments made through licensed payment providers connected to Syrian banks and supervised by the Central Bank of Syria. In practice a merchant accepts payment online or by QR through a licensed gateway such as ecash, the transaction is authorised against the customer's bank or wallet, and the merchant is settled in Syrian pounds to their bank account.
The regulatory picture
The Central Bank of Syria licenses electronic payment providers and has set out the national framework for electronic payment and transfer, including Decision No. 1124. ecash operates under Resolution No. 844/L.I of 09 August 2022. Merchants should check that any provider they use is licensed and settles through the Syrian banking system.
- Central Bank of Syria licensing and supervision
- National electronic payment and transfer framework
- Syrian Electronic Transactions and Banking Secrecy laws apply
- Settlement through licensed Syrian banks
How a payment moves
From tap to bank account, an electronic payment in Syria passes through four steps: the customer authorises the payment, the gateway routes it to the bank, the bank approves or declines, and the amount is settled to the merchant on the agreed cycle — T+2 with ecash.
Ways merchants get paid
A licensed gateway covers online and offline acceptance without separate contracts for each channel.
- Online checkout on a website or app
- QR payments in shops and for delivery
- Payment links over WhatsApp, SMS or email
- API and webhooks for custom or platform flows
- Settlement reporting and dispute tools
What is changing next
Local card acceptance is expanding as more Syrian banks connect, and international acceptance has begun moving again — the first live international card transaction in Syria was tested in 2026. Follow the ecash newsroom for developments as they are confirmed.
Common questions
- Are electronic payments legal in Syria?
- Yes, through providers licensed by the Central Bank of Syria and operating within the national electronic payment and transfer framework.
- How long does a merchant wait to receive funds?
- With ecash, settlement reaches the merchant's bank account on a T+2 cycle on every plan.
- Can Syrian businesses accept international cards?
- International acceptance is still limited and evolving. Local bank-connected payments are available today; see the ecash newsroom for the latest on international card acceptance.
- What does a merchant need to start?
- A commercial registration, a Syrian bank account, and an approved merchant application with a licensed gateway.
Accept electronic payments with a licensed provider
See ecash plans and fees, or read the latest from the Syrian payments newsroom.