Wero: Europe's new
payment system
Wero is gradually replacing iDEAL and Bancontact across Europe. Wero.info is your independent guide — explainers, a live bank overview, side-by-side comparisons and the latest news.
What is Wero, exactly?
Wero is a pan-European instant payment system, built by the European Payments Initiative (EPI) — a coalition of sixteen large European banks. The aim: a European alternative to U.S. payment networks like Mastercard, Visa and PayPal.
In the Netherlands, Wero is gradually replacing iDEAL for online checkout. In Belgium it takes over from Bancontact. In Germany and France it is the central service for mobile peer-to-peer payments. Payments are instant, available 24/7 and free for consumers.
Wero at a glance
- →Instant: funds arrive within seconds
- →Free: no fees for private users
- →European: currently NL, BE, DE, FR and LU
- →Safe: runs on SEPA Instant via your own bank
- →Simple: pay by phone number or email
How do I use Wero?
You enable Wero inside your existing bank's app, or open an account with a neobank that supports it. Running a business? Go Dutch Banking opens a business account in under three hours — regardless of legal form. That's a major advantage over traditional banks where the process often takes weeks. People who frequently transfer abroad or pay in foreign currencies can pair Wero inside Europe with a service like Wise for sharper exchange rates outside the eurozone. Shoppers buying via partner stores can stack a little extra with CashbackXL.
Wero isn't a separate account: it's a new payment service running on top of SEPA Instant. What you pay goes directly from your bank account to the recipient's — like a regular transfer, only in seconds.
* Wero.info partners with the providers above. We may receive a commission if you sign up via our links — at no extra cost to you and with no impact on our editorial content.
Wero compared
How does Wero stack up against existing payment systems?
| Feature | Wero | iDEAL | Bancontact | PayPal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage | NL, BE, DE, FR, LU | NL only | BE only | Worldwide |
| P2P by number | Yes | No | Limited | Yes |
| Instant | Yes, < 10s | Yes | Yes | Variable |
| Consumer fees | € 0 | € 0 | € 0 | FX + fee |
| Owner | EU banks (EPI) | NL banks | BE banks | PayPal Inc. (US) |
As of 2026. Coverage and features evolve as Wero rolls out further.
Wero in the news
Full archive →Frequently asked questions about Wero
Is Wero free?+
Yes. Wero is fully free for private users with no transaction fees for peer-to-peer payments.
Which banks support Wero?+
In the Netherlands: ING, Rabobank and ABN AMRO. In Belgium and Germany roll-out is led by KBC, BNP Paribas Fortis, Belfius, Sparkassen and Volksbanken among others.
Can I use Wero abroad?+
Within the Wero zone (NL, BE, DE, FR, LU). For wider transfers, Wise is a strong alternative.
What's the difference between Wero and iDEAL?+
iDEAL is Dutch-only and focuses on online checkout. Wero is pan-European and also handles P2P by phone number.
How safe is Wero?+
Wero is supervised by national central banks and the ECB and uses your bank app's security. It is as safe as a normal SEPA transfer.
Is there a Wero for businesses?+
Wero for merchants is rolling out in 2026. Entrepreneurs who need a business account fast can use Go Dutch Banking — opened in under 3 hours, any legal form.
What do I need to start?+
An account at a participating bank and an updated mobile banking app. You enable Wero inside the app and link your phone number.