Exhibit 5.1

King & Spalding LLP

1180 Peachtree Street N.E. Atlanta, GA 30309-3521

Tel: +1 404 572 4600

Fax: +1 404 572 5100

www.kslaw.com

March 14, 2016

Total System Services, Inc.

One TSYS Way

Columbus, Georgia 31901

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel for Total System Services, Inc., a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the registration pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of an indeterminate amount of (i) shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”), of the Company and (ii) debt securities of the Company (the “Debt Securities”), which may be issued pursuant to an Indenture (the “Indenture”) between the Company and Regions Bank, as Trustee (the “Trustee”).

In connection with this opinion, we have reviewed such matters of law and examined original, certified, conformed or photographic copies of such other documents, records, agreements and certificates as we have deemed necessary as a basis for this opinion. In such review we have assumed the genuineness of signatures on all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to original documents of all copies submitted to us as certified, conformed or photographic copies. We have relied, as to the matters set forth therein, on certificates of public officials. As to certain matters of fact material to this opinion, we have relied, without independent verification, upon certificates of certain officers of the Company.

In connection with this opinion, we have assumed that the execution and delivery of, and the performance of all obligations under, the Indenture has been duly authorized by all requisite action by the Trustee, and that the Indenture was duly executed and delivered by, and is a valid and binding agreement of, the Trustee, enforceable against the Trustee in accordance with its terms.

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

(1) Upon the due authorization of the issuance of shares of Common Stock and the issuance and sale thereof as described in the Registration Statement (together with any applicable Prospectus Supplement), and the delivery to and payment for such shares of Common Stock by the purchasers thereof, such shares of Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

Total System Services, Inc.

March 14, 2016

Page 2

(2) Upon the due authorization of the issuance of Debt Securities and the issuance and sale thereof as described in the Registration Statement (together with any applicable Prospectus Supplement) and, when executed by the Company and duly authenticated by the Trustee in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, and the delivery to and payment for such Debt Securities by the purchasers thereof, the Debt Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject, as to the enforcement of remedies, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors generally and to the effect of general principles of equity.

This opinion is limited in all respects to the laws of the States of Georgia and New York, and no opinion is expressed with respect to the laws of any other jurisdiction or any effect which such laws may have on the opinions expressed herein. This opinion is limited to the matters stated herein, and no opinion is implied or may be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated herein.

This opinion is given as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to advise you after the date hereof of facts or circumstances that come to our attention or changes in law that occur which could affect the opinions contained herein. This letter is being rendered for the benefit of the Company in connection with the matters addressed herein.

We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to us under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus that is included in the Registration Statement.

Very truly yours,

/s/ King & Spalding LLP