Is SEPA Instant more expensive than a normal SEPA transfer?

Not in the euro area. Since 9 January 2025, the Instant Payments Regulation has required banks there to charge no more for an instant euro transfer than for a standard one. Banks in non-euro EU countries must apply the same rule from 9 January 2027.

From SEPA Instant vs SWIFT: speed and cost for business payments, by . Updated .

The wider picture

The key points from the guide this answer comes from:

  1. For euros to a bank in one of the 41 SEPA countries, SEPA Instant is faster and cheaper than SWIFT: funds arrive in under 10 seconds, at any hour.
  2. SWIFT is for everything else: other currencies, other countries and dollar wires abroad. 75% of payments reach the receiving bank within 10 minutes, but crediting can take longer.
  3. In the euro area, banks can't charge more for an instant transfer than a standard one, and SEPA Instant has had no scheme cap since October 2025.
  4. Under SHA, intermediary banks can deduct fees from a SWIFT payment. Use OUR if the full amount must arrive.

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The full guide

If you're paying euros to a bank in one of the 41 SEPA countries, SEPA Instant is faster and cheaper than SWIFT. SWIFT is for everything else: other currencies, other countries, and dollar wires abroad.

Read SEPA Instant vs SWIFT: speed and cost for business payments, with its sources.

General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and providers' terms change; check the sources in the guide and take advice on your own situation.

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