The transaction is in progress.
'Transazione' — tran-sa-TSYO-ne. Five syllables.
You will see or hear this phrase on card terminals during processing. Knowing it means you should wait — do not remove your card until 'transazione completata' or 'pagamento approvato' appears.
'In corso' = in progress (literally 'in course'). This is the standard Italian phrase for an ongoing process: 'il treno è in corso' (the train is running/in service). On POS terminals: 'transazione in corso' → 'transazione approvata' or 'transazione rifiutata'.
Attenda l'approvazione.
Wait for approval.
Message on the terminal.
Transazione approvata.
Transaction approved.
Positive result.
Non ritirare la carta.
Do not remove the card.
Instruction during processing.
Italian POS terminals typically complete transactions within 3–5 seconds on a good connection. In areas with poor internet connectivity (rural areas, some underground markets), processing can take longer. Removing the card too early is the most common cause of declined transactions in Italy.