Getting paid

SEPA Credit Transfer

A SEPA Credit Transfer is a standardized scheme for making euro credit transfers between participating payment accounts in the Single Euro Payments Area. The payer instructs their payment service provider to send money to the beneficiary. The scheme supports remittance information that can help match the transfer to an invoice, but it does not guarantee immediate settlement.

Also called: SCT, SEPA bank transfer
Appears on: As a euro bank-transfer payment method
Related task: Receive a standardized euro credit transfer
Review note: Availability requires participating payment providers and eligible accounts
Last reviewed: 2 September 2026

Why this matters when you invoice

SEPA Credit Transfer gives businesses and customers a common euro-transfer process across participating countries and supports invoice reconciliation through remittance information.

Where it appears on an invoice

Show the beneficiary name, IBAN, amount, currency and payment reference. Add BIC or other information only where the payer's provider requests it.

Worked example

SEPA Credit Transfer example

A customer in one SEPA country pays a €1,200 invoice to a beneficiary account in another. The transfer includes invoice number IC-1042 in the remittance information so the seller can reconcile it.

Common mistakes

Assuming every European transfer or currency is a SEPA Credit Transfer.
Calling an ordinary SCT an instant payment.
Treating payment initiation as confirmation that funds arrived.

Put it into practice

Use the matching InvoiceCraftly tool to prepare or check the payment details, then verify them against information supplied by the beneficiary or bank before sending the invoice.

Create a SEPA payment QR

InvoiceCraftly helps present payment instructions; it does not hold funds, authorize transfers, verify account ownership or confirm that payment arrived.

Official references

Sources and terminology reviewed 2 September 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Does a SEPA Credit Transfer have to be in euros?

The EPC SCT scheme is for euro credit transfers, although the payer or beneficiary account may be held in a country that does not use the euro domestically.

Is every SEPA transfer instant?

No. SEPA Credit Transfer and SEPA Instant Credit Transfer are distinct schemes.