Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (2024)

Niet beschikbaar in het Nederlands

Thanks to the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), customers can make cashless euro payments – via credit transfer and direct debit – to anywhere in the European Union, as well as a number of non-EU countries, in a fast, safe and efficient way, just like national payments. SEPA was introduced for credit transfers in 2008, followed by direct debits in 2009, and fully implemented by 2014 in the euro area (and by 2016 in non-euro area SEPA countries).

The payment integration triggered by SEPA has contributed to the efficiency and competitiveness of the European economy as a whole by eliminating differences between national and cross-border payments by harmonising standards in all the participating countries. The legal framework for SEPA – which the ECB helped to draw up in close cooperation with the European Commission – is based mainly on the Cross-border payments Regulation, the Payment Services Directive (PSD/PSD2), the SEPA migration end-date Regulation, and the Interchange Fee Regulation.

SEPA was launched by the European banking and payments industry with the support of national governments, the European Commission, the Eurosystem, and other public authorities. As SEPA not only harmonised the way non-cash euro payments are conducted, but also completed the introduction of the euro as the single currency, the Eurosystem had a very strong interest in the success of the SEPA project.

Participation

The SEPA region consists of 36 European countries, including several countries which are not part of the euro area or the European Union (status: 2 January 2023).

Interactive map of countries in the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA)

Please select a country

Austria

EU member using the euro

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (1)

EU member since 1995

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (2)

Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)

Belgium

EU member using the euro

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (3)

EU founding member in 1957

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (4)

Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)

Bulgaria

EU member not using the euro

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (5)

EU member since 2007

Cyprus

EU member using the euro

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (6)

EU member since 2004

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (7)

Euro since 2008

Germany

EU member using the euro

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (9)

EU founding member in 1957

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (10)

Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)

Denmark

EU member not using the euro

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (11)

EU member since 1973

Estonia

EU member using the euro

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (12)

EU member since 2004

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (13)

Euro since 2011

Spain

EU member using the euro

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (14)

EU member since 1986

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (15)

Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)

Finland

EU member using the euro

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (16)

EU member since 1995

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (17)

Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)

France

EU member using the euro

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (18)

EU founding member in 1957

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (19)

Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)

Greece

EU member using the euro

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (20)

EU member since 1981

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (21)

Euro since 2001 (cash since 2002)

Croatia

EU member using the euro

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (22)

EU member since 2013

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (23)

Euro since 2023

Hungary

EU member not using the euro

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (24)

EU member since 2004

Ireland

EU member using the euro

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (25)

EU member since 1973

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (26)

Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)

Italy

EU member using the euro

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (27)

EU founding member in 1957

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (28)

Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)

Lithuania

EU member using the euro

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (29)

EU member since 2004

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (30)

Euro since 2015

Luxembourg

EU member using the euro

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (31)

EU founding member in 1957

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (32)

Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)

Latvia

EU member using the euro

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (33)

EU member since 2004

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (34)

Euro since 2014

Monaco

Non-EU country

Malta

EU member using the euro

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (35)

EU member since 2004

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (36)

Euro since 2008

The Netherlands

EU member using the euro

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (37)

EU founding member in 1957

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (38)

Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)

Poland

EU member not using the euro

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (39)

EU member since 2004

Portugal

EU member using the euro

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (40)

EU member since 1986

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (41)

Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)

Romania

EU member not using the euro

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (42)

EU member since 2007

Sweden

EU member not using the euro

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (43)

EU member since 1995

Slovenia

EU member using the euro

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (44)

EU member since 2004

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (45)

Euro since 2007

Slovakia

EU member using the euro

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (46)

EU member since 2004

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (47)

Euro since 2009

San Marino

Non-EU country

In addition to the highlighted countries; Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino, the Vatican City State / Holy See are also part of SEPA.

Facts & figures

Name Single Euro Payments Area
Implementationyear 2014 for euro area countries 2016 for non-euro area SEPA countries
Currency Euro
Cashless payment instruments Credit transfer, direct debit
Speed of processing No longer than one business day for electronic payment orders; two business days for paper-based payment orders
SEPA area 36 countries (includes some non-euro area and non-EU countries) (status: 1 March 2019)
Stakeholders European banking and payments industry, payment service users, national governments, the European Commission, the Eurosystem, and several other public authorities.
The role of the Eurosystem Catalyst

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Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) (2024)

FAQs

What is the Single Euro Payments Area SEPA? ›

SEPA makes it possible for retail transactions to directly debit accounts in another member country and for those living, working, or traveling to use accounts in their home country to receive direct deposit payments and pay bills by electronic transfer.

What is SEPA in euros? ›

What is SEPA? The Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) is a European Union (EU) initiative launched in 2008 that aims to facilitate international bank transfers among the participating countries.

How long does a euro SEPA payment take? ›

Standard SEPA transfers

Within the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), standard transfers are typically completed within 24 to 48 business hours.

How do I make a SEPA payment? ›

Easy way to pay, simply enter the beneficiaries International Bank Account Number (IBAN) and Branch Identifier Code (BIC), these details are provided the beneficiary. Make & Receive SEPA payments from your £ UK business account,when using a GBP account, the currency is automatically converted into Euro for you*.

What does SEPA mean in banking? ›

The Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) is a mechanism that facilitates the standardisation of electronic payments denominated in euro across Europe. Under SEPA, all bank accounts must be identified by an International Bank Account Number (IBAN) and a Bank Identifier Code (BIC).

Is SEPA payment safe? ›

SEPA payments are a secure method for sending money within the Eurozone. If you need to send or receive money from outside the SEPA region, see our full range of international services.

Can SEPA be in USD? ›

A SEPA transfer only applies to transactions in euro, other currencies will be sent using alternatives supported in the destination country.

Which banks accept SEPA payments? ›

SEPA IBAN-Only participants
  • Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
  • Bank of Ireland (UK) plc.
  • Bank of Scotland plc.
  • Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd.
  • Barclays Bank (UK) plc.
  • Barclays Bank plc.
  • Blackthorn Finance Limited.
  • BrazaUK Ltd.

What countries are in the SEPA zone? ›

All 27 EU member states (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden) are SEPA countries, as well as ...

How to trace a SEPA payment? ›

All you need is to know the person's full name, IBAN, and BIC. You can track all the outgoing and incoming payments via the app or the web version.

What is the maximum amount of SEPA instant payment? ›

It is available 24 hours a day on all calendar days of the year and allows the transfer of up to 100,000 euro to another account in less than 10 seconds.

How much does it cost to transfer money from SEPA? ›

SEPA transfers generally cost the same amount as a local domestic bank transfer, which means that they're usually free. However, a small number of banks may charge you an extra fee for SEPA transfers if they also charge an extra fee to make local bank transfers within the same country.

What does the Single Euro Payments Area do? ›

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) initiative makes cashless international payments as simple and inexpensive as domestic payments. It creates more competition in the payments industry by creating one 'payment services' market, which lowers prices for consumers.

How do I withdraw from SEPA? ›

Withdrawing with SEPA

On the right-hand side, select Withdraw > EUR > SEPA. Select the receiving bank account under To. Enter the amount you'd like to withdraw. Confirm the amount and select Withdraw.

How do I accept a SEPA payment? ›

Accepting SEPA Direct Debit payments on your website consists of creating an object to track a payment, collecting payment method information and mandate acknowledgement, and submitting the payment to Stripe for processing.

Which country is in SEPA zone? ›

All 27 EU member states (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden) are SEPA countries, as well as ...

What is the SEPA payment format? ›

The ISO 20022 XML format is a standard used for SEPA credit transfer and direct debit files to harmonize payment and collection processes within the European Economic Area (EEA).

What is the SEPA payment standard? ›

What Is SEPA? SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) is the name given to the single payments area of 36 European countries, including all 27 member states of the European Union. Within this supranational payments area, customers should no longer experience any differences between national and cross-border payments in EUR.

What is the difference between SEPA and SWIFT? ›

The main difference between SWIFT and SEPA is the geographical scope. SWIFT supports international transfers in different currencies across the world, whereas SEPA only enables money transfers in Euro in countries that are members of the SEPA zone.

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