SEPA QR
How SEPA QR codes work — a practical guide
SEPA QR codes (also called EPC QR) let you launch a bank transfer with a single scan. This article breaks down what they are, why they’re useful, and the typical flow from a bill to a confirmed payment.
Already want to generate one? Head back to the home page and paste your payment email.
What is a SEPA QR code?
A SEPA QR code encodes payment data in the EPC (European Payments Council) format, a standard that most European banking apps can read. Scanning it opens your banking app with the IBAN, beneficiary name, amount, and reference pre-filled.
The format is documented publicly (see the EPC QR overview), which is why any compliant banking app can interpret the same code. There are other payment QR standards (e.g., Germany’s GiroCode or Switzerland’s QR-bill), but EPC QR is the one most widely supported across SEPA banking apps.
Why SEPA payment QR codes matter
Less typing, fewer errors
Manually retyping IBANs or references is slow and error-prone. A QR packs everything so you can review and confirm instead of copying digits.
Consistent across banks
Because EPC QR is a standard, the same code works across many European banking apps — no proprietary lock-in.
Better for compliance
Amounts and references stay aligned with the original bill, reducing reconciliation issues for the recipient.
Faster customer experience
Scanning and validating is a smoother experience for customers and support teams compared to manual bank transfer instructions.
The typical SEPA credit transfer QR flow
- You receive a payment request. It might be an invoice or a confirmation email with IBAN, amount, and a reference.
- You generate the QR. Use a tool like Message 2 Pay to paste the text and produce a SEPA QR code.
- You scan in your banking app. Open your app, choose “scan & pay” or “SEPA QR”, and point the camera at the code.
- The app pre-fills the transfer. IBAN, beneficiary name, amount, and reference are loaded for review.
- You validate and send. Double-check the details, then confirm the transfer as usual.
More resources
- FAQ about SEPA payment QR codes — supported banks, data extraction, and privacy.
- Generate a SEPA payment QR with Message 2 Pay — paste your payment email or message.
Ready to generate a SEPA payment QR?
Paste your payment email on the home page and scan it with your European banking app.
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