SEPA Countries

The Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) enables secure, standardized, and efficient payment transactions across Europe. Through SEPA Credit Transfers and SEPA Direct Debits, businesses and individuals in SEPA-participating countries can process payments under consistent conditions. SEPA simplifies Europe’s banking system, making it more cost-effective and transparent. Residents and businesses in SEPA countries can carry out euro payment transactions seamlessly, regardless of their location in Europe. This framework has created a unified retail payments market, offering better services for consumers and businesses.

SEPA countries have variations in IBAN formats, ISO codes, and, in some cases, currencies used for payment transactions. ISO codes are integral to SEPA transactions, functioning as two-digit country codes required for both national and international payments.

SEPA Membership and Special Cases

As of January 2025, the SEPA zone comprises 38 countries, including:

• 27 EU Member States:
• Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
• 3 EEA Countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
• 8 Non-EEA Countries: Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Vatican City State, Montenegro, and Albania.

Recent updates include the addition of Montenegro and Albania to the SEPA zone in November 2024.

SEPA standardizes payment transactions in euros across participating countries, offering a streamlined experience for banks, businesses, and individuals. Countries outside the eurozone follow SEPA’s competitive euro payment conditions.

Special Cases:
Switzerland and Monaco are unique SEPA members. While they adhere to SEPA rulebooks, they are not bound by EU regulations and directives, offering a tailored approach to SEPA participation.

SEPA Countries in the European Union (Euro and Non-Euro Zones):

SEPA Countries Using the Euro:
Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain.

SEPA Countries Not Using the Euro:
Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Sweden.

The United Kingdom continues to be a SEPA member, facilitating euro payments despite using GBP as its primary currency.