SEPA Countries and Non SEPA Countries List Explained

1. Can I send money across SEPA borders on weekends?

Absolutely—SEPA Instant Credit Transfer (SCT Inst) is your weekend hero! If your bank supports it, you can send money 24/7, even on Sundays while binge-watching your favorite show.

2. What if I’m in a SEPA country but my account is in a different currency?

Good question! You can still send SEPA transfers, but only in euros. So if your account is in another currency (say, Polish Zloty), it will be converted to EUR before zipping through the SEPA network.

3. Why do I need an IBAN and BIC—isn’t one acronym enough?

IBAN tells the system where the money is going (like your account’s home address), and BIC identifies the bank (like naming the building). It's teamwork!

4. How fast are SEPA transfers—should I blink or will I miss it?

Standard SEPA transfers typically take 1 business day. SEPA Instant? Under 10 seconds! Blink and it might be in the recipient’s account already.

5. Do I need to fill out a 10-page form to use SEPA?

No way! Most transfers just need the recipient’s IBAN, the amount, and a reference. It’s practically less effort than deciding what to watch on Netflix.

6. Can I use SEPA for recurring payments like rent or my Spotify subscription?

Yes! You can set up SEPA Direct Debit for recurring bills. Once authorized, it’s hands-free.

7. Is SEPA only for banks or can fintechs join the party?

Fintechs can be part of SEPA too—if they’re licensed payment institutions in a SEPA country. Many modern apps already use SEPA rails under the hood.

8. What if I accidentally send money to the wrong IBAN?

Yikes! Unfortunately, SEPA doesn’t include a “take-back” button. You'll need to contact your bank ASAP to try to reverse it.