Are instant payments mandatory in the EU?

Yes, for euro transfers. Under the EU Instant Payments Regulation, since October 9, 2025, euro-area banks that offer credit transfers must also send instant ones, at a price no higher than standard transfers. Payment and e-money institutions must follow by April 2027, and non-euro EU countries in 2027.

What the regulation requires

• Sending and receiving instant euro transfers, 24 hours a day.
• Pricing instant transfers no higher than standard ones.
• Checking the payee's name against the account before the payment is sent, through Verification of Payee.
• Screening against sanctions lists in a way that does not delay payments.

What it changes

Instant becomes the default expectation for euro transfers rather than a premium option. Combined with name checks, it makes account-to-account payments a more credible alternative to cards for some use cases, such as larger purchases, bill payments and payouts.

What it means for payment operators

For platforms serving European merchants, instant transfers become a payment rail to support at checkout and for payouts. On the platform, instant payment methods connect through provider contracts, are reported like other payments and sit next to cards in routing and checkout configuration, so your merchants can offer them where their customers expect them.