EMV Debit vs. PIN Debit

First, let’s clear up some confusion about EMV debit and PIN debit. EMV debit cards function the same as previous magnetic stripe debit cards. Using an EMV debit card will deduct funds from a bank account. It still requires entering a PIN or signing for a transaction.

EMV debit is not a new or separate category of debit card – it’s simply debit cards with a chip for increased security. The two main types of debit are still PIN debit and signature debit. As of 2023, there are no cost differences for accepting a chip debit card vs. a magstripe debit card.

My new EMV terminal doesn’t require a PIN for debit – what’s the issue?

In order for a terminal to prompt for a PIN when a customer uses an EMV debit card, both the terminal and the card must be configured to allow PIN entry. There are 4 main reasons why your machine may not prompt a customer for their PIN:

• Terminal is not set up with the common AID
• Customer did not choose the common AID
• Card is not PIN-preferring
• Your machine does not have the correct injection keys