Why do Uruguayans pay with debit cards?
Because of the Ley de Inclusión Financiera. Wages are paid electronically and the DGI applies a 2-point VAT reduction to payments with debit cards and e-money, plus 9 points on certain services. A Fiserv survey finds 65% of consumers name debit as their main method.
In detail
Because of the Ley de Inclusión Financiera. Wages are paid electronically and the DGI applies a 2-point VAT reduction to payments with debit cards and e-money, plus 9 points on certain services. A Fiserv survey finds 65% of consumers name debit as their main method.
The VAT rebate behind the debit habit
The Ley de Inclusión Financiera of 2014 made wage payments electronic and gave a permanent 2-point VAT cut on purchases paid with debit cards and e-money. Today the rebate is 2 points off on debit and e-money payments, 9 points on certain services paid electronically, and a full refund for non-residents paying with foreign cards.
Payment by card in Uruguay
Cards are how Uruguayans pay in shops, and debit leads. Debit cards are the everyday instrument, with 298 million debit transactions in the second half of 2025, three times the number of credit card payments. The BCU's report for the first half of 2026 shows debit cards at 60% of card operations, with transactions up 17% and real amounts up 10%, while credit card operations rose 8%. Regulated interchange fees keep debit cheap for merchants.
More detail in our #PayWorldTour guide Payment methods in Uruguay.