What is SEPA?
SEPA stands for "Single Euro Payments Area". SEPA allows you to pay easily and swiftly, anywhere in Europe, with uniform payment methods: cards, transfers and direct debits.
Thanks to SEPA, no differentiation is made between the country of the creditor and that of the debtor. All payments within the Eurozone are regarded as "internal payments". No differentiation is made within Europe between domestic and European transactions.
Which countries are included in SEPA?
- All the Member States of the European Union
- SEPA countries outside the European Union: Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, United Kingdom and Monaco
View the complete list.
Please note: SEPA only applies for payments in euros.
The SEPA conditions in a nutshell
Thanks to SEPA you can now make and receive European payments faster. SEPA is the European standard for the uniform processing of transfers, direct debits and card payments.
Take a look at the extensive (SEPA) conditions for entrepreneurs.
Account numbers
A Belgian account number used to consist of 12 digits. These were all converted into an international version, also referred to as IBAN (International Bank Account Number). Currently a Belgian bank account number consists of 16 digits.
If you need to convert an old bank account number into IBAN, Just use the IBAN Convertor.
Would you like to find out more about the (SEPA) conditions for bank accounts?
Transfers
European transfers have also been made uniform. The forms are orange and are always drawn up in the same format.
Would you like to find out more about the (SEPA) conditions for transfers?
Direct debits
As a business, you must also report direct debits in accordance with European standards, i.e. in XML-format.
Would you like to find out more about the (SEPA) conditions for direct debits?
More information
If you have any questions regarding SEPA, please feel free to contact your KBC relationship manager for further information.