SEPA Instant transfers: Real-time EUR payments across Europe

What is SEPA Instant?

Speed and convenience have become non-negotiable in modern finance. Traditional bank transfers, which can take up to several business days, no longer meet the expectations of businesses and consumers in our fast-moving digital economy. That’s where SEPA Instant comes into play.

SEPA Instant (Single Euro Payments Area Instant Credit Transfer) is a payment scheme launched by the European Payments Council to enable real-time euro transfers between participating banks and financial institutions across Europe. Unlike standard SEPA transfers, which can take up to one business day, SEPA Instant allows funds to be delivered within 10 seconds 24/7, 365 days a year.

Whether you’re sending payroll, making urgent supplier payments, or transferring money to friends and family, SEPA Instant ensures your euros arrive securely and instantly.

Benefits of real-time payments

The value of real-time euro payments is clear for both individuals and businesses. Below are some of the most important advantages:

1. Speed and availability

SEPA Instant enables fast SEPA payments at any time, including weekends and holidays. There’s no need to wait for banking hours or working days to process critical transactions.

2. Improved cash flow

For businesses, instant settlement means faster access to funds. This helps maintain healthy cash flow, enabling better supplier relationships, faster payroll execution, and greater financial agility.

3. Enhanced user experience

Customers and clients expect immediate results. Whether you’re a fintech platform offering wallet top-ups or a business settling invoices, real-time transfers deliver a smooth and satisfying user experience.

4. Operational efficiency

Automated and instant payment processes reduce the need for manual interventions, lower error rates, and free up resources for other business-critical tasks.

Satchel SEPA Instant infrastructure

Satchel offers an efficient, secure, and scalable solution for real-time euro payments. As a licensed European EMI (Electronic Money Institution), Satchel provides direct access toSEPA Instant capabilities through a modern, API-first platform.

Key features:

• 24/7/365 availability: Instant EUR transfers with no downtime.
• Maximum transfer limit: Up to €100,000 per transaction (in line with EPC guidelines).
• End-to-end security: Fully compliant with European regulatory standards, including strong customer authentication (SCA).
• Easy integration: Connect Satchel SEPA Instant functionality to your app or system via robust APIs.
• Real-time tracking: Receive instant confirmation of payment status and success.

Whether you’re a business managing high transaction volumes or a service provider looking to offer instant payout features, Satchel infrastructure is designed to scale with your needs.

Use cases for businesses and individuals

1. E-commerce and marketplaces

Online retailers can instantly disburse payments to vendors or issue refunds to customers, improving trust and transaction speed.

2. Payroll and HR

Companies can pay salaries in real time—perfect for gig economy platforms or businesses operating with flexible pay cycles.

3. Financial apps and wallets

Fintech companies can enable instant top-ups, withdrawals, and peer-to-peer transfers through embedded SEPA Instant functionality.

4. B2B payments

Suppliers and partners can receive urgent payments instantly, enhancing relationships and ensuring uninterrupted supply chains.

5. Personal transfers

Individuals can send emergency funds to family or friends across Europe instantly, avoiding delays and banking cutoffs.

Compliance and coverage

Satchel SEPA Instant service is fully compliant with European payment regulations and overseen by relevant financial authorities. The solution meets all PSD2 and AML/KYC requirements, ensuring secure and legitimate transfers.

Currently, SEPA Instant covers 36 countries across Europe, including:

• All EU member states
• EEA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway)
• Switzerland
• The UK (post-Brexit participation may vary)

As more banking service providers and institutions join the scheme, the reach of SEPA Instant continues to grow, expanding opportunities for businesses and individuals alike.

These days, waiting for a bank transfer simply isn’t acceptable. With SEPA Instant, you can move euros across Europe in seconds, not days—and Satchel gives you the tools to do it securely and efficiently.

Whether you’re building a fintech product, managing a global payroll, or simply sending funds to someone in need, Satchel real-time payment infrastructure empowers you to operate at the speed of modern business.

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