Barclays ePDQ Gateway to Be Decommissioned: What Merchants Need to Do Next

Barclays Payment Gateway to Close 

Barclays has confirmed that its ePDQ payment gateway will be decommissioned on 31st March 2026. For thousands of UK businesses, this means planning a move to a new payment gateway — ideally sooner rather than later.

While the change may feel inconvenient, it’s also an opportunity to upgrade to modern technology with better integrations, more payment methods, and enhanced fraud protection. In this guide, we’ll explain what’s happening, what it means for merchants, and outline the simple steps to find and migrate to a new provider.

What’s happening to Barclays ePDQ?

Barclays has officially announced that its ePDQ payment gateway will be shut down on 31st March 2026. This means all merchants currently processing payments through ePDQ will need to switch to an alternative gateway before that date to avoid service disruption.

Barclays has stated that existing merchant accounts will not automatically migrate to a new system, so each business will need to find and integrate a replacement solution.

Why the change could be a positive opportunity

Barclays’ ePDQ platform, while reliable for many years, had become technically outdated. Modern gateways now offer:

• Faster integrations with ecommerce platforms, CRMs, and accounting tools
• Support for more payment methods, including digital wallets, open banking, and Buy Now Pay Later options
• Advanced fraud detection and PCI DSS compliance tools
• Enhanced reporting dashboards for reconciliation and analytics

So, while the decommissioning might cause short-term disruption, it’s also a chance to modernise your payments infrastructure - potentially saving on fees and improving customer checkout experiences.

Find Your New Processor

Step-by-Step Guide to Replacing the Barclays ePDQ Gateway

Step 1: Review your current setup

Start by understanding how your current ePDQ integration works:

• What website platform do you use?
• What payment methods do you currently accept?
• Which parts of your back office (CRM, ERP, accounts) rely on the gateway?

Having a clear map of your current setup will help you shortlist compatible replacements.

Step 2: Shortlist alternative payment gateways

Look for providers that suit your business type, transaction volume, and integration needs.

Many UK businesses are now choosing gateways that combine:

• Multi-channel processing (online, in-store, phone payments)
• Seamless API or plug-and-play integrations with platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, or Magento
• Competitive pricing and transparent settlement times

You can explore vetted options through The Payments Directory®, which helps merchants compare providers based on features, cost, and contract flexibility.

Step 3: Check integration and migration requirements

Once you’ve narrowed your options, confirm how the new gateway will integrate with your systems:

• Do you need developer support, or is there a pre-built plugin?
• Will your merchant account stay the same, or do you need a new one?
• How long will testing and certification take?

Some gateways can run parallel setups, so you can test before switching off ePDQ completely.

Step 4: Review payment methods and currencies

Use the migration as an opportunity to expand your accepted payment options:

• Debit and credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex)
• Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Klarna, or Open Banking
• Multi-currency support for international customers

Modern gateways can intelligently route payments for better authorisation rates and lower processing costs.

Step 5: Upgrade your fraud and security tools

Fraud prevention has evolved significantly since ePDQ launched. Look for features like:

• 3D Secure 2.2 for smoother authentication
• Machine-learning-based fraud scoring
• Tokenisation for recurring payments and saved cards
• Chargeback alerts and automated dispute tools

These tools reduce risk and can improve conversion rates at checkout.

Step 6: Test, migrate, and train your team

Plan your transition carefully:

• Run test transactions on the new system.
• Communicate changes internally (especially for customer service and finance teams).
• Update all connected systems (shopping carts, APIs, invoicing software).
• Switch over fully and monitor performance closely.

The best migrations are gradual; avoid waiting until early 2026 when support queues will likely be long.

Step 7: Review performance and costs

Once your new gateway is live:

• Compare fees, settlement times, and approval rates with your old setup.
• Use analytics dashboards to spot opportunities for optimisation.
• Review regularly, the payments landscape evolves fast.

Find Your New Processor

Choosing the right replacement gateway

If you’re unsure where to start, Merchant Advice Service offers free, independent guidance to help you compare providers, understand integration requirements, and prepare a smooth migration plan.

We can also help you identify gateways offering discounted migration support for Barclays merchants.

Key Takeaway

The Barclays ePDQ decommissioning marks the end of an era, but it doesn’t have to be disruptive. By starting early, merchants can turn this into an opportunity to:

• Modernise checkout experiences
• Improve fraud protection
• Integrate smarter systems
• Potentially reduce processing fees

Find Your New Processor

Need help finding an alternative to Barclays ePDQ?

Use The Payments Directory® to compare gateway providers and get migration-ready before the 31st March 2026 deadline.