On November 4, 2026, the Decree enacting the Digital Economy Law for Digital and Electronic Payments (the “Law”) was published in the Federal Official Gazette (Diario Oficial de la Federación, “DOF”). The Law entered into force on November 5, 2026.
The Law aims to promote the adoption and implementation of digital and electronic payment methods in Mexico, as well as to establish mechanisms to facilitate their use in commercial transactions, financial services, and government procedures.
The main provisions of the Law include the following:
- Adoption of Digital and Electronic Payment Methods.
The Law contemplates the use of various payment methods, including QR codes, NFC (Near Field Communication) devices, debit and credit cards, electronic fund transfers, direct debits, and other technologies that enable payments or transfers of funds.
Furthermore, the Law establishes that, for the implementation of such payment methods, providers of goods or services and authorities at all three levels of government in Mexico must enable the necessary infrastructure to accept such payments, inform users of the available payment methods, and adopt measures to address potential contingencies.
- Digital and Electronic Payments in Strategic Sectors.
One of the most relevant aspects of the Law is that it empowers the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público, “SHCP”) to determine the strategic sectors and relevant activities in which digital and electronic payment methods may constitute the exclusive form of payment.
The authorities having jurisdiction over each strategic sector or relevant activity, pursuant to the applicable legal framework, must issue administrative provisions of general application establishing the conditions, requirements, and obligations for accepting digital and electronic payment methods as the exclusive form of payment in such sectors or activities, as well as the specific mechanisms and timeframes for the gradual transition from cash payments to digital and electronic payment methods.
In the event of contingencies that prevent the acceptance of digital or electronic payments, cash or checks may temporarily be accepted.
- Digitalization of Financial Services.
The Law introduces mechanisms to facilitate the digital contracting of financial services, including the acceptance of the Digital CURP as a means of identification and the use of the Digital Citizen File (Expediente Digital Ciudadano) for the consultation and portability of documents and information.
Likewise, the Law authorizes the Bank of Mexico, jointly with the National Banking and Securities Commission (Comisión Nacional Bancaria y de Valores), to issue provisions of general application requiring Entities that provide card payment acceptance services through point-of-sale terminals to also enable payments through QR codes, in accordance with the technical and operational specifications established by the Bank of Mexico.
- Digitalization of Government Procedures.
The Law establishes that authorities at all three levels of government in Mexico must take the necessary measures to accept digital and electronic payment methods for government procedures and services.
It also provides for the implementation of technological tools to facilitate procedures related to economic activities, including the Digital CURP, the National Digital Investment Single Window (Ventanilla Digital Nacional de Inversiones), the Digital Citizen File (Expediente Digital Ciudadano), and the Commercial Establishments Platform (Plataforma de Establecimientos Mercantiles).
- Deadlines for the Issuance of Administrative Provisions.
The transitory provisions of the Law establish the following deadlines:
Within 15 business days following its entry into force: SHCP must determine the strategic sectors and relevant activities in which digital and electronic payment methods may constitute the exclusive form of payment.
Within 15 business days following the publication of such determination: the competent authorities must issue the corresponding administrative provisions, including the applicable requirements, obligations, and transition mechanisms.
Consequently, although the Law is already in force, the identification of sectors subject to the exclusive acceptance of digital and electronic payments, as well as the specific obligations they must comply with, will depend on the determinations and administrative provisions subsequently issued.
At RGR, we will continue to monitor the implementation of the Law and the issuance of the corresponding provisions to identify their potential implications for companies and their operations.
The full text of the Decree is available at the following link:
DECRETO por el que se expide la Ley de Economía Digital para Pagos Digitales y Electrónicos
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