Cross-border payments in euro
Regulation (EC) No 924/2009 on cross-border payments in the Community eliminates the differences in charges for cross-border and national payments in euro. It applies to payments in euro in all EU Member States. The basic principle is that the charges for payment transactions offered by a payment service provider (e.g. your bank) have to be the same, for the payment of the same value, whether the payment is national or cross-border.
The Regulation applies to all electronically processed payments, including credit transfers, direct debits, cash withdrawals at cash dispensers (ATMs), payments by means of debit and credit cards, and money remittance. Some conditions may apply depending on the type of a payment transaction. For example, for credit transfers and direct debits, the use of IBAN and BIC when ordering the payment, is obligatory. More information is available in the FAQ section below.
All non-euro area Member States have the possibility to extend the application of this Regulation and to apply the same charges for payments in euro as for payments in their national currency.
Regulation (EC) No 924/2009
Legislation
Preparation
| 16.9.2009 | Adoption of Regulation (EC) No 924/2009 on cross-border payments in the Community (PreLex) |
| 15.10.2008 | Commission adoption of a Proposal for a Regulation on cross-border payments in the Community
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News
| 3.11.2009 | Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA): Cross-border direct debits now a reality, IP/09/1665 |
| 24.4.2009 | European Commission welcomes the European Parliament’s adoption of two proposals in the area of payments (on e‑money and cross-border payments), IP/09/637 |
| 15.10.2008 | Commission proposes extension of rules on cross-border euro payments to direct debits, IP/08/1506 |
| 26.2.2008 | EU rules on cross-border euro payments should be extended, says Commission report, IP/08/305 |
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
| 14.3.2012 | FAQ  on the Regulation on cross-border payments in the Community |
| 3.11.2009 | SEPA Direct Debit Launch – FAQ, MEMO/09/489 |
| 15.10.2008 | Proposal for a Regulation on cross-border payments in the Community, FAQ, MEMO/08/621 |
What to do in case of problems?
- Read carefully the FAQ.
- Contact your payment service provider and ask for clarifications and resolution of your problem, if applicable.
- If you believe that the rules of Regulation (EC) No 924/2009 have been breached by a payment service provider, please contact the national competent authorities (notified by the Member States) responsible for the application of the Regulation in your Member State or in a Member State where the problem appeared.
- Alternatively, in particular when your problem appears to be a mistake of a bank rather than the incorrect application of the Regulation rules, you may contact the national out-of-court redress bodies (notified by the Member States) and ask them to mediate in the resolution of your dispute.
