European Direct Debit Schemes
Direct Debit is a widely used payment method for recurring transactions across Europe, making up 21% of non-cash payments across the UK and Eurozone. Different countries operate separate Direct Debit schemes such as Bacs, SEPA and Autogiro.
SEPA
SEPA Direct Debit is a Europe-wide Direct Debit system that allows merchants to collect Euro-denominated payments from accounts in the 19 SEPA countries and associated territories.
Territory
Euro area countries (19 countries)
Currency
EUR
Volume of transactions
21% overall (Germany = 51%, Austria = 28%, Spain 31%)
Key markets
Germany, Austria, France, Spain and The Netherlands
Bacs
Automated payments are at the very center of the UK’s financial system, providing an essential service for both consumers and organizations. Bacs is the company which runs Direct Debit in the UK.
Territory
UK
Currency
GBP
Volume of transactions
17% overall transactions, 27% B2B transactions. Popular with utilities, telecoms and financial services providers.
Autogiro
Bg Autogiro is a Direct Debit scheme for collecting Krona-denominated payments from a bank account in Sweden. Approximately eight out of ten Swedes use Autogiro with the average customer paying five to seven bills per month by Autogiro.
Territory
Sweden
Currency
SEK
Volume of transactions
7%
The advantage of European Direct Debit
Localize the experience
Collect payments in 3 currencies via Bacs (UK, £), SEPA (Eurozon, €) and Autogiro (Sweden, SEK).
Maximize customer acquisition
Seamlessly embed one of Europe’s most popular payment methods into your checkout flow.
Eliminate involuntary churn
Reduce failure rates to as low as 0.5% by avoiding errors caused by expired or lost cards, and credit limit breaches.
Want to learn more? Speak with our Direct Debit experts
To speak to us immediately call: +44 20 8338 9537
Help & resources
Contact us
Contact sales GB: +44 20 8338 9539 US: +1 (415) 223-0253 FR: +33 1 70 37 71 23 ES: +34 91 769 3610 help@gocardless.com
Support FAQ help@gocardless.com
GoCardless Ltd., Sutton Yard, 65 Goswell Road, London, EC1V 7EN, United Kingdom
GoCardless is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom as an Authorised Payment Institution to collect payments across Europe.
