European bank transfer

Would you like to transfer money to another European bank account? The easiest option is a SEPA bank transfer or direct debit.

Below is a description of the SEPA bank transfer.

How does a SEPA bank transfer work?

It is really easy to pay in euro via a SEPA bank transfer. You only need to enter the following information:

• the IBAN number of the payer and payee involved in the SEPA bank transfer:
  The IBAN is the international reference of your bank account number. The first two letters in the code refer to the account holder’s country and are followed by a series of numbers. The code will never include more than 34 digits. A Belgian IBAN number comprises 16 digits: BE + 2 check digits + the 12 digits indicating the bank account number.
  
  
• the BIC or SWIFT address of the payee’s bank:
  This code identifies the bank, which manages the account. All European banks have individual codes. A BIC number consists of an eight or eleven digit letter code (e.g. BANKBEBB).

How much does a SEPA bank transfer cost?

Are you making a SEPA bank transfer for less than 50,000 euro? Then the cost will be the same as for a national payment.

Are you paying in a different currency? Remember to take the exchange charges into account.

How long does a SEPA bank transfer take to complete?

Thanks to Europe, we can now enjoy instant payments in the euro area! Your money reaches the recipient’s account immediately… but it could also end up in the hands of a scammer.

So always make sure that the person you’re paying is the right one before sending money. For online purchases, do the #WebshopCheck and use the IBAN verification, which has been mandatory for European banks since October 2025.

Learn more: Familiarise yourself with the European direct debit!