Mollie Pre-Authorization & Manual Capture for Deposits
Mollie's manual capture mode lets you hold funds on a customer's credit card for up to 28 days without charging. Perfect for European businesses collecting security deposits.
How Manual Capture Works
Mollie supports pre-authorization through its manual capture feature:
- ✓Manual capture: Authorize and hold funds on credit cards for up to 28 days
- ✓Partial capture: Capture only the amount you need (e.g., actual damages)
- ✓Auto-release: Uncaptured holds are automatically released after the hold period
4 Ways to Collect Deposits with Mollie
Manual Capture (Pre-Authorization)
Place a hold on a customer's credit card without actually charging it. Capture later when the service is complete.
Standard Charge + Refund
Charge the deposit amount upfront, then refund after the rental or service is complete.
Subscription with Initial Charge
Set up a Mollie subscription that starts with a larger initial payment as the deposit, followed by regular installments.
Payment Link with Manual Review
Send a payment link for the deposit amount, then manually review and manage the payment before fulfilling the service.
Compare Mollie Deposit Methods
| Method | Charges Customer? | Funds in Account? | Refund Needed? | Time Limit | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual Capture | No (hold only) | No | No | Up to 28 days | No fee if not captured |
| Charge + Refund | Yes | Yes | Yes | None | Full transaction fee applies |
| Subscription + Initial | Yes (initial) | Yes | Depends | None | Fee on each payment |
| Payment Link + Review | Yes | Yes | Yes | None | Standard Mollie fees |
Use Cases for Mollie Deposits in Europe
Dutch Vacation Rentals
Hold security deposits for holiday homes and apartments with pre-authorization. Accept iDEAL for the rental, credit card for the deposit hold.
Belgian Hotels & B&Bs
Pre-authorize guest credit cards at check-in. Capture for minibar, damages, or late checkout. Release automatically if no charges apply.
European Car Hire
Hold a deposit on the renter's credit card for up to 28 days — longer than Stripe's 7-day limit. Capture only for fuel or damage costs.
Equipment Rental Companies
Place holds on credit cards when customers rent expensive tools, AV equipment, or machinery. Capture only if items are returned damaged.
Event Venues & Catering
Collect security deposits for venue bookings. Pre-authorize the card and only charge if there is post-event damage or cleanup costs.
Boat & Yacht Charters
Hold substantial deposits for watercraft rentals. Mollie's 28-day hold period covers most charter durations comfortably.
Important Things to Know
- •Credit card only: Manual capture (pre-authorization) only works with credit cards. iDEAL, Bancontact, and SEPA do not support holds — use charge + refund instead.
- •28-day maximum: Mollie allows holds of up to 28 days, significantly longer than Stripe's 7-day limit. After 28 days, the hold is automatically released.
- •Partial capture: You can capture less than the authorized amount. The remaining funds are released back to the customer automatically.
- •Multi-capture not supported: Mollie does not support multiple captures on a single authorization. You can only capture once per pre-authorized payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can Mollie hold a pre-authorization?
Mollie supports pre-authorization holds for up to 28 days. This is four times longer than Stripe's 7-day limit, making Mollie ideal for longer rental periods like vacation stays or monthly equipment hires.
Which payment methods support Mollie manual capture?
Only credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) support manual capture with Mollie. Local payment methods like iDEAL, Bancontact, SEPA, and Sofort process immediately and cannot be held.
Does Mollie charge fees on uncaptured pre-authorizations?
No. If you release a pre-authorization without capturing, Mollie does not charge any transaction fee. You only pay fees when you actually capture (charge) the held funds.
Can I capture a partial amount with Mollie?
Yes, Mollie supports partial capture. If you authorized €1,000 but only need to charge €200 for damages, you capture €200 and the remaining €800 is released to the customer.
How do I use Mollie deposits without coding?
PayRequest integrates with Mollie and offers a no-code security deposits feature. Create deposit requests, send payment links, and manage captures or releases from a simple dashboard — no development work needed.
Related
Collect Deposits with Mollie — No Code Needed
PayRequest makes Mollie deposits simple. Send deposit requests, pre-authorize credit cards, and capture or release funds — all from an easy-to-use dashboard.