# Sources and changes The facts on this site come from Microsoft, from market sources or from Intercept itself. Here they are listed with the date on which we checked them. Updated: 19 October 2026. Publisher: Intercept BV, the Netherlands. Page: https://azure.intercept.cloud/en/sources/ ## Administrative migration of a direct EA or MCA-E to CSP - When a direct EA or MCA-E is transferred to CSP, Azure services keep running without interruption. Only the billing relationship changes. Source: [Microsoft Learn: Transfer Azure product billing ownership to your Microsoft Partner Agreement](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/mpa-request-ownership) (version 21 August 2026, accessed 19 October 2026). - Subscription IDs and resource IDs stay the same during the transfer. All resources, such as virtual machines, disks and websites, move with it. Source: [Microsoft Learn: Transfer Azure product billing ownership to your Microsoft Partner Agreement](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/mpa-request-ownership) (version 21 August 2026, accessed 19 October 2026). - Existing access permissions and Azure RBAC assignments stay intact during the transfer. The partner does not automatically get access to the environment. Source: [Microsoft Learn: Transfer Azure product billing ownership to your Microsoft Partner Agreement](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/mpa-request-ownership) (version 21 August 2026, accessed 19 October 2026). - Only a direct EA and an MCA-E can be moved to CSP administratively. A CSP partner approved for this does it in the Azure portal; the customer approves the transfer. For an indirect EA and for Web Direct, such as pay-as-you-go with a credit card or an MCA signed online, this transfer does not exist. Source: [Microsoft Learn: Transfer Azure product billing ownership to your Microsoft Partner Agreement](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/mpa-request-ownership) (version 21 August 2026, accessed 19 October 2026); [Microsoft Learn: Transfer Azure subscriptions between subscribers and CSPs](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/transfer-subscriptions-subscribers-csp) (version 17 August 2026, accessed 19 October 2026). - The transfer can be requested by direct-bill CSP partners that hold a Solutions Partner designation (Data & AI, Digital & App Innovation or Infrastructure) or are an Azure Expert MSP, and by distributors with the Frontier Distributor designation. Source: [Microsoft Learn: Transfer Azure subscriptions between subscribers and CSPs](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/transfer-subscriptions-subscribers-csp) (version 17 August 2026, accessed 19 October 2026). - For the transfer, the customer accepts the Microsoft Customer Agreement and the partner sets up an Azure plan. The customer and partner tenants must be in the same authorised region. Source: [Microsoft Learn: Transfer Azure product billing ownership to your Microsoft Partner Agreement](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/mpa-request-ownership) (version 21 August 2026, accessed 19 October 2026). - Previously applied quota increases move to the CSP subscription. Without an earlier increase, the default CSP limit applies. Source: [Microsoft Learn: Transfer Azure subscriptions between subscribers and CSPs](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/transfer-subscriptions-subscribers-csp) (version 17 August 2026, accessed 19 October 2026). - Reservations and savings plans can move with the subscriptions. Source: [Microsoft Learn: Transfer Azure product billing ownership to your Microsoft Partner Agreement](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/mpa-request-ownership) (version 21 August 2026, accessed 19 October 2026); [Microsoft Learn: Azure product transfer hub](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/subscription-transfer) (version 29 December 2025, accessed 19 October 2026). - If the billing currency changes, monthly billed reservations and savings plans stop at the next billing period; prepaid ones remain. If a savings plan from an EA in a currency other than US dollars moves to CSP, the pricing currency changes. You then choose between automatic replacement with a one-year plan or arranging new plans through Azure support. Source: [Microsoft Learn: Azure product transfer hub](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/subscription-transfer) (version 29 December 2025, accessed 19 October 2026). - Cost and usage data do not move with the subscription. They are downloaded before the transfer, together with the invoices. Source: [Microsoft Learn: Transfer Azure product billing ownership to your Microsoft Partner Agreement](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/mpa-request-ownership) (version 21 August 2026, accessed 19 October 2026); [Microsoft Learn: Transfer Azure subscriptions between subscribers and CSPs](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/transfer-subscriptions-subscribers-csp) (version 17 August 2026, accessed 19 October 2026). - An Azure support plan does not move with the subscription. After the transfer, the CSP partner is responsible for support. Source: [Microsoft Learn: Transfer Azure product billing ownership to your Microsoft Partner Agreement](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/mpa-request-ownership) (version 21 August 2026, accessed 19 October 2026). - CSP does not offer Dev/Test subscriptions. An EA Dev/Test subscription is first converted to a regular subscription and then falls under standard pricing; the Dev/Test discount no longer applies. Source: [Microsoft Learn: Transfer Azure product billing ownership to your Microsoft Partner Agreement](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/mpa-request-ownership) (version 21 August 2026, accessed 19 October 2026). - SaaS subscriptions from Azure Marketplace do not move with the Azure subscription and are transferred separately. Marketplace products that are not available for CSP block the transfer of that subscription. Source: [Microsoft Learn: Transfer Azure product billing ownership to your Microsoft Partner Agreement](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/mpa-request-ownership) (version 21 August 2026, accessed 19 October 2026). - Azure Hybrid Benefit settings on virtual machines remain in effect after the transfer. Source: [Microsoft Learn: Transfer Azure product billing ownership to your Microsoft Partner Agreement](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/mpa-request-ownership) (version 21 August 2026, accessed 19 October 2026). - A subscription with an active Microsoft Azure Consumption Commitment (MACC) cannot be transferred while the MACC is running. Source: [Microsoft Learn: Azure product transfer hub](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/subscription-transfer) (version 29 December 2025, accessed 19 October 2026). - If subscriptions are in multiple tenants, each tenant needs a separate transfer. Microsoft mentions consolidating into one tenant first as an alternative; changing tenants does remove the Azure role assignments. Source: [Microsoft Learn: Transfer Azure product billing ownership to your Microsoft Partner Agreement](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/mpa-request-ownership) (version 21 August 2026, accessed 19 October 2026); [Microsoft Learn: Transfer Azure subscriptions between subscribers and CSPs](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/transfer-subscriptions-subscribers-csp) (version 17 August 2026, accessed 19 October 2026). - Usage up to the moment of transfer appears on the old invoice, usage after it on the new one. Source: [Microsoft Learn: Transfer Azure product billing ownership to your Microsoft Partner Agreement](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/mpa-request-ownership) (version 21 August 2026, accessed 19 October 2026). - Subscriptions in an expired EA remain transferable as long as they continue under an extended term. Source: [Microsoft Learn: Transfer Azure product billing ownership to your Microsoft Partner Agreement](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/mpa-request-ownership) (version 21 August 2026, accessed 19 October 2026). - The Cost Management connector for Power BI stops working after the transfer to CSP. Microsoft names exports from Cost Management as an alternative. Source: [Microsoft Learn: Transfer Azure product billing ownership to your Microsoft Partner Agreement](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/mpa-request-ownership) (version 21 August 2026, accessed 19 October 2026). - Some transfers need an extra review by Microsoft, depending on how the enrollment is set up. Source: [Microsoft Learn: Transfer Azure product billing ownership to your Microsoft Partner Agreement](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/mpa-request-ownership) (version 21 August 2026, accessed 19 October 2026). ## Technical migration to CSP subscriptions - Subscriptions that cannot be moved administratively, such as pay-as-you-go, an online MCA or an indirect EA, go to CSP through a technical migration of the resources to new CSP subscriptions. Source: [Microsoft Learn: Transfer Azure subscriptions between subscribers and CSPs](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/transfer-subscriptions-subscribers-csp) (version 17 August 2026, accessed 19 October 2026); [Microsoft Learn: Azure product transfer hub](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/subscription-transfer) (version 29 December 2025, accessed 19 October 2026). - Resources can only be migrated between subscriptions when both subscriptions are in the same Microsoft Entra tenant. Source: [Microsoft Learn: Move Azure resources to a new resource group or subscription](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-resource-manager/management/move-resource-group-and-subscription) (version 29 July 2025, accessed 19 October 2026). - During a migration, the source and target resource groups are locked for changes for up to four hours. Existing resources keep working. Source: [Microsoft Learn: Move Azure resources to a new resource group or subscription](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-resource-manager/management/move-resource-group-and-subscription) (version 29 July 2025, accessed 19 October 2026). - A migration changes the resource ID. Scripts, templates and dashboards that use the ID must be updated. Source: [Microsoft Learn: Move Azure resources to a new resource group or subscription](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-resource-manager/management/move-resource-group-and-subscription) (version 29 July 2025, accessed 19 October 2026). - Role assignments on a migrated resource do not move with it and must be recreated after the migration. Source: [Microsoft Learn: Move Azure resources to a new resource group or subscription](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-resource-manager/management/move-resource-group-and-subscription) (version 29 July 2025, accessed 19 October 2026). - Not all resource types can be migrated, and dependent resources must move together. Depending on the resources, a migration can cause downtime. Source: [Microsoft Learn: Move Azure resources to a new resource group or subscription](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-resource-manager/management/move-resource-group-and-subscription) (version 29 July 2025, accessed 19 October 2026); [Microsoft Learn: Transfer Azure subscriptions between subscribers and CSPs](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/transfer-subscriptions-subscribers-csp) (version 17 August 2026, accessed 19 October 2026). - When you move from an online MCA to CSP, reservations and savings plans do not move automatically. Source: [Microsoft Learn: Azure product transfer hub](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/subscription-transfer) (version 29 December 2025, accessed 19 October 2026). ## Enterprise Agreement: changes and renewal - Since 1 November 2025, everyone pays the Level A price for online services under EA and MPSA, such as Microsoft 365 and Dynamics 365. According to most sources, Azure usage had no price levels and has not become more expensive because of this change. Source: [Longview Systems: Microsoft price level changes for Online Services, effective November 1, 2025](https://www.longviewsystems.com/blog/microsoft-price-level-changes-for-online-services-effective-november-1-2025/) (accessed 19 October 2026); [Phoenix Software: Microsoft streamlines volume licensing pricing model](https://www.phoenixs.co.uk/resources/blog/microsoft-streamlines-volume-licensing-pricing-model/) (accessed 19 October 2026) (status: market sources). - Microsoft generally no longer renews EAs for smaller organisations and refers them to MCA-E or CSP. Market sources mention a threshold of around 2,400 users; Microsoft has not published a fixed threshold itself. Source: [LicenseQ: Microsoft MCA-E transition, what EA customers are actually losing](https://licenseq.com/?p=22206) (accessed 19 October 2026) (status: market sources). ## Paying Microsoft by invoice - Paying Microsoft by invoice (wire transfer) requires at least six months as a customer, no outstanding balance and usage above a threshold that differs per country. Source: [Microsoft Learn: Pay for Azure subscriptions by wire transfer](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/pay-by-invoice) (version 26 August 2026, accessed 19 October 2026). - With pay-as-you-go, you request pay by invoice through a support ticket; with a Microsoft Customer Agreement, you do it in the Azure portal. Microsoft may run a credit check and ask for annual accounts or a guarantee. Source: [Microsoft Learn: Pay for Azure subscriptions by wire transfer](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/pay-by-invoice) (version 26 August 2026, accessed 19 October 2026). - Once you switch to wire transfer with Microsoft, you cannot go back to a credit card as your default payment method. Source: [Microsoft Learn: Pay for Azure subscriptions by wire transfer](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/pay-by-invoice) (version 26 August 2026, accessed 19 October 2026). - Every Azure customer gets free Basic support from Microsoft: documentation, Azure Advisor and service health alerts. Technical help by email, phone or chat is not included and requires a paid support plan, such as Developer, Standard or Professional Direct. Source: [Microsoft Azure: Compare support plans](https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/support/plans/) (accessed 19 October 2026). ## Discount and costs - At Intercept, the CSP Enterprise programme applies from €50,000 of Azure usage a month: up to 12% discount and 24/7 support at a reduced rate, with a contract of at least twelve months. Source: [Intercept: CSP Enterprise-programma](https://intercept.cloud/nl-nl/oplossingen/csp-enterprise) (accessed 19 October 2026) (status: published by Intercept). - Below €50,000 a month, the discount at Intercept rises with usage. The percentages on this site (5, 7 and 9%) are indicative; the final percentage is in the calculation. Source: [Intercept: CSP Enterprise-programma](https://intercept.cloud/nl-nl/oplossingen/csp-enterprise) (accessed 19 October 2026) (status: indicative). - According to Microsoft, reserved instances give up to 72% discount compared with pay-as-you-go, depending on type, region and term. Source: [Microsoft Azure: Reserved Virtual Machine Instances](https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/reserved-vm-instances) (accessed 19 October 2026). ## About Intercept - Below €50,000 a month, support is included at Intercept: a regular point of contact with Azure specialists, who bring in Microsoft where needed. 24/7 support is available. From €50,000 a month, 24/7 CSP Enterprise Support is part of the programme, at a reduced rate. Source: [Intercept: CSP Enterprise-programma](https://intercept.cloud/nl-nl/oplossingen/csp-enterprise) (accessed 19 October 2026) (status: published by Intercept). - Intercept is an Azure Expert MSP, has more than 70 Azure specialists and at least 3 Microsoft Azure MVPs, and has helped more than 1,000 organisations, including more than 200 SaaS companies. Source: [Intercept: oplossingen en kerncijfers](https://intercept.cloud/en-gb/solutions) (accessed 19 October 2026) (status: published by Intercept). - Intercept has been moving EA customers to CSP since 2020. When Microsoft phased out TrueLime's EA, TrueLime asked three parties for a proposal and chose Intercept. Source: [Intercept: klantverhaal TrueLime](https://intercept.cloud/en-gb/our-customers/truelime) (accessed 19 October 2026) (status: published by Intercept). ## Sources used - [Microsoft Learn: Transfer Azure product billing ownership to your Microsoft Partner Agreement](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/mpa-request-ownership), version 21 August 2026, accessed 19 October 2026 - [Microsoft Learn: Transfer Azure subscriptions between subscribers and CSPs](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/transfer-subscriptions-subscribers-csp), version 17 August 2026, accessed 19 October 2026 - [Microsoft Learn: Azure product transfer hub](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/subscription-transfer), version 29 December 2025, accessed 19 October 2026 - [Microsoft Learn: Move Azure resources to a new resource group or subscription](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-resource-manager/management/move-resource-group-and-subscription), version 29 July 2025, accessed 19 October 2026 - [Microsoft Learn: Pay for Azure subscriptions by wire transfer](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/pay-by-invoice), version 26 August 2026, accessed 19 October 2026 - [Microsoft Azure: Compare support plans](https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/support/plans/), accessed 19 October 2026 - [Microsoft Azure: Reserved Virtual Machine Instances](https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/reserved-vm-instances), accessed 19 October 2026 - [Longview Systems: Microsoft price level changes for Online Services, effective November 1, 2025](https://www.longviewsystems.com/blog/microsoft-price-level-changes-for-online-services-effective-november-1-2025/), accessed 19 October 2026 - [Phoenix Software: Microsoft streamlines volume licensing pricing model](https://www.phoenixs.co.uk/resources/blog/microsoft-streamlines-volume-licensing-pricing-model/), accessed 19 October 2026 - [LicenseQ: Microsoft MCA-E transition, what EA customers are actually losing](https://licenseq.com/?p=22206), accessed 19 October 2026 - [Intercept: CSP Enterprise-programma](https://intercept.cloud/nl-nl/oplossingen/csp-enterprise), accessed 19 October 2026 - [Intercept: klantverhaal TrueLime](https://intercept.cloud/en-gb/our-customers/truelime), accessed 19 October 2026 - [Intercept: oplossingen en kerncijfers](https://intercept.cloud/en-gb/solutions), accessed 19 October 2026 ## Changes 1. **First version** (19 October 2026): All facts checked against their source, the Microsoft facts against Microsoft Learn. According to the documentation of 17 August 2026, quota increases move with a transfer to CSP. ## How we keep this up to date Microsoft regularly changes its billing rules. We check the sources every quarter and with every Microsoft announcement about EA, MCA-E or CSP. Every change goes into the log above, with a date. The facts are also available as data in [kennis.json](https://azure.intercept.cloud/en/kennis.json), free to use with attribution.