Which countries are members of the SEPA zone?

Introduction

The SEPA zone, which stands for Single Euro Payments Area, was created to simplify euro transfers and direct debits between European countries. Since 2014, all member states of the European Economic Area (EEA) have participated, using standardised procedures and enhanced security. As of April 2025, 40 countries are part of this area.

What is the SEPA zone?

SEPA is a system established at the European level to allow consumers and businesses to transfer euros across Europe as easily as making domestic payments.

This infrastructure is designed to make bank transfers faster, more transparent and secure. In most cases, transactions are processed online and completed within seconds or, at the latest, by the next working day, depending on the bank. The euro is used as the single currency (except in certain countries like the UK or Switzerland, where currency conversions may apply).

This harmonisation improves operational efficiency for businesses and supports the continent’s financial integration.

SEPA is an integral part of the European single market.

The benefits of SEPA

Here are the main benefits of SEPA payment unification:

  • Standardised processing : whether for transfers or direct debits, the procedures are the same across all member countries.

  • Lower costs : fees for cross-border payments have significantly decreased, or even disappeared.

  • Use of a single IBAN : no need to manage multiple account formats — the IBAN is all you need for every transaction.

  • Improved security : common rules govern transactions to protect customers and reduce fraud.

  • Greater transparency : processing times, amounts and fees are clearer for both customers and businesses.

  • Less paperwork : a single form is enough for all member countries, making accounting easier.

All banks must comply with the same SEPA rules, which encourages competition and can potentially lead to better offers for customers.

Which countries are members of the SEPA zone?

As of April 2025, the SEPA zone includes 40 member countries. It brings together European Union members, countries from the European Economic Area, as well as several states and territories that have adopted SEPA standards.

The 27 EU Member States:

  • Germany

  • Austria

  • Belgium

  • Bulgaria

  • Cyprus

  • Croatia

  • Denmark

  • Spain

  • Estonia

  • Finland

  • France

  • Greece

  • Hungary

  • Ireland

  • Italy

  • Latvia

  • Lithuania

  • Luxembourg

  • Malta

  • Netherlands

  • Poland

  • Portugal

  • Czech Republic

  • Romania

  • Slovakia

  • Slovenia

  • Sweden

Members of the European Economic Area :

  • Iceland

  • Liechtenstein

  • Norway

Other member countries and territories :

  • Albania (since 2024)

  • Andorra

  • Gibraltar

  • Guernsey

  • Isle of Man

  • Jersey

  • Northern Macedonia (since 2025)

  • Moldova (since 2025)

  • Monaco

  • Montenegro (since 2024)

  • San Marino

  • Switzerland

  • Vatican

  • United Kingdom

All these countries allow SEPA credit transfers and direct debits, using the same technical standards.

Countries and territories outside the SEPA zone

Although some regions use the euro — such as Greenland, the Faroe Islands, Kosovo or Montenegro — their status does not automatically include them in SEPA. Other countries outside Europe use the IBAN format without being part of SEPA: Turkey, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Belarus, and Brazil.