How to Make a SEPA Transfer?

Making a SEPA transfer is fairly simple when the right steps are followed. But a few checks protect you from misdirected transfers and unexpected costs. In this guide we explain how to make a SEPA transfer step by step and what you need to check before sending. For a general definition of the system and the schemes it covers, you can see the What is SEPA page.

A SEPA transfer, step by step

1. Euro account and balance: SEPA only carries euros. If you send from your euro account there is no currency conversion; if you send from a local-currency account, an exchange-rate margin comes into play.
2. The recipient's full name: Enter the recipient's legal name correctly; payee verification (VoP) can compare this name with the IBAN.
3. IBAN: Enter the recipient's IBAN in full. For most SEPA payments a BIC is not needed.
4. Scheme choice: Standard (SCT) or instant (SCT Instant)? If it is not urgent, standard is usually enough and more economical.
5. Fee and rate check: Check the transaction fee and (on a non-euro transaction) the rate applied.
6. Confirmation and reference: Confirm the transaction and keep the reference number (the End-to-End ID, if any).

Checklist before sending

• Validate the IBAN. Check its structural validity with the IBAN validation tool.
• Take the payee name–IBAN warning seriously. If there is a mismatch, do not send without confirming the details; see payee name–IBAN mismatch.
• Calculate the total cost. To see the fee and the exchange-rate margin together, use the real cost tool.
• Choose the right scheme. If there is no urgency, prefer standard SCT.
• Keep the reference. It is needed for tracking in case of a problem.

What information is needed?

The information needed for a SEPA transfer is less than for an international SWIFT transfer. Basically, the following are enough:

• The recipient's IBAN: Mandatory. The full IBAN, starting with the country code, must be entered.
• The recipient's full name: The legal name; it is matched with the IBAN in the VoP (payee verification) check.
• Amount (euros): SEPA only carries euros.
• BIC (often unnecessary): For payments within the SEPA area, the IBAN alone is usually enough; the BIC can be derived automatically. Detail: Is a BIC required for SEPA?
• Description/reference (optional): Useful so the recipient can recognise the payment; keep it short and free of personal data.

How to do it from online and mobile banking

Most banks offer SEPA transfers under menus such as "Money transfer", "Transfer/EFT", "SEPA payment" or "Outgoing euro transfer". The general flow is: choose the transfer type (euro / SEPA), add the recipient by IBAN and name, enter the amount and, if any, the description, choose whether it is standard or instant, review the fee and rate information, and confirm. Adding a saved recipient speeds up later transfers; however, confirming the IBAN's accuracy each time is a good habit. Branch transactions are usually more expensive than the online/mobile channel.

How long does it take to arrive?

Standard SEPA (SCT) transfers usually reach the recipient on the next banking day (T+1). SEPA Instant (SCT Instant), on the other hand, can complete within seconds, 24/7, between participating banks. If you send after the cut-off time, at the weekend or on a holiday, the transaction is processed on the next business day. For time details, you can see the How many days does a SEPA transfer take page and the transfer time tool.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Incorrect IBAN: A single character error can cause the transaction to be rejected or to go to the wrong account. Always validate before sending.
• Wrong currency: A non-euro payment is not SEPA; it falls back to SWIFT and the cost changes.
• Ignoring a payee name mismatch: If a VoP warning appears, do not proceed without confirming.
• Not accounting for the exchange-rate margin: When sending euros from a local-currency account, the main cost is often the exchange-rate margin; even if the fee is zero, the total cost can be high.
• Not keeping the reference: If a problem arises, the transaction reference is needed for tracking.

If the recipient country is outside SEPA

If the recipient country is not within SEPA scope (for example, Turkey), the transaction cannot be made as SEPA and goes as SWIFT (an international transfer). In this case, intermediary bank charges, an exchange-rate margin and the OUR/SHA/BEN charge-sharing can come into play. For the Turkey corridor, see the Sending euros from Germany to Turkey and Sending euros from Turkey to Germany pages.

Summary

A SEPA transfer consists of a euro account, the recipient's name, the IBAN, the right scheme choice, a fee check and confirmation. For most payments the IBAN alone is enough. Validating the IBAN and calculating the total cost before sending is the most effective way to protect yourself from misdirected transfers and surprises.