This major regulatory milestone enables AUSTRIACARD to serve banking sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
AUSTRIACARD HOLDINGS has obtained Card Chip Profile certification from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) for the mada debit card scheme, enabling the company to supply chip-based payment cards to banks and financial institutions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Card Chip Profile certification confirms that a card manufacturer’s chip technology meets the technical and security specifications required by the national payment network. In practice, it verifies that cards can securely store payment credentials, process transactions, and operate reliably within the mada ecosystem. Certification is mandatory for vendors seeking to issue or personalize cards used by Saudi banks.
With Certificate No. CV071, AUSTRIACARD’s chip cards are now validated for compatibility with the local infrastructure and regulatory standards set by SAMA. This allows the company to participate directly in card issuance and related services for the Saudi banking sector.
Company representatives stated that the approval followed SAMA’s formal testing and compliance process, which evaluates technical performance, security controls, and adherence to scheme requirements. They added that the certification enables AUSTRIACARD to offer its portfolio of payment card manufacturing and personalization services in the country.
Saudi Arabia’s payments market has expanded in recent years as digital transactions and card usage continue to grow. The mada network, the country’s domestic debit scheme, handles a large share of everyday retail and ATM transactions and forms a central part of the national payments infrastructure. Vendors supplying cards to local banks must meet its technical specifications.
Headquartered in Vienna, AUSTRIACARD provides payment and identity solutions, including smart card manufacturing, personalization, and digital services. The company operates nine manufacturing facilities across Europe and the United States and employs approximately 2,400 people. Its shares are listed on the Athens and Vienna stock exchanges under the ticker ACAG.
