Terminz
Fiscal Compliance

Germany's TSE requirement

Since 2020, every electronic POS system in Germany must be secured by a certified Technical Security Device (TSE) under the Kassensicherungsverordnung (KassenSichV). We explain what this means for salons and how Terminz keeps you compliant.

What is the TSE?

The Technical Security Device (TSE) is a module certified by Germany's Federal Office for Information Security (BSI). It signs every cash-register transaction in a tamper-proof way to prevent tax evasion through after-the-fact revenue changes. The legal basis is the KassenSichV under § 146a of the German Tax Code.

In practice: your POS must send every payment in real time to a TSE that generates an immutable signature. This signature is printed on the receipt and stored in cash-register data. During a tax audit, you must be able to present this signature.

Who is affected?

  • Hair salons with any electronic cash register or POS software
  • Beauty and cosmetics studios
  • Nail studios and foot-care businesses
  • Wellness and spa businesses with a POS
  • Any business using an electronic POS or register (open cash drawers are exempt but rarely feasible with digital booking)

Who must act?

Every business with an electronic register. The 'open cash drawer' exemption only works for very small businesses without digital bookings — not realistic for salons with appointment software.

Fines for non-compliance

Fines up to €25,000 per violation (§ 379 AO). Additionally, tax authorities can estimate your revenue, which typically leads to higher back-payments.

Terminz Terminal with TSE

The Terminz Terminal (POS) automatically signs every cash payment via a certified TSE. No extra hardware, no separate software — TSE is built into the payment flow.

Cloud TSE via Fiskaly

Terminz uses the BSI-certified cloud TSE from Fiskaly — one of the leading TSE providers in Germany. Signatures happen server-side. If the connection drops, the payment is not blocked and syncs later.

Frequently asked questions

What is a TSE?

The TSE (Technische Sicherheitseinrichtung) is a BSI-certified security module that signs every register transaction in a tamper-proof way. It has been legally required for all electronic POS systems in Germany since 2020.

Do I need a TSE as a hair or beauty salon?

Yes, if you use any electronic POS. The TSE requirement applies to every electronic cash register regardless of industry. Only 'open cash drawers' with no electronics are exempt — which is not realistic once you have digital bookings.

What penalties apply without a TSE?

Under § 379 of the German Tax Code, fines of up to €25,000 per violation can apply. Tax authorities can also estimate your revenue if your records don't meet requirements, usually leading to higher back-payments plus fines.

Does Terminz support TSE compliance?

Yes. The Terminz Terminal includes built-in TSE signing. Every cash payment is signed automatically and the signature is printed on the receipt. You don't need to manage anything — TSE is integrated into the payment flow.

Which TSE provider does Terminz use?

Terminz uses the certified cloud TSE from Fiskaly — one of the leading TSE providers in Germany, running a BSI-certified cloud solution that requires no extra hardware.

Can I use Terminz with my existing POS?

Terminz is an all-in-one solution: booking, CRM and POS in one system. If you already have a POS, we recommend switching to the Terminz Terminal to cleanly meet the TSE requirement and unify your processes. Our team helps with data migration.

What does TSE cost with Terminz?

TSE signing is part of the Terminz Terminal plan. There are no hidden add-ons for the TSE itself — Fiskaly costs are included in the regular price. Contact us for a tailored quote.

TSE-compliant POS with Terminz

You don't have to fight through legal texts, providers and configuration. Terminz delivers a TSE-compliant POS as part of the platform. Let us show you how it works in a demo.