iDEAL to phase into Wero starting in 2026. Dutch users will soon be able to make cross-border online payments as easily and securely as they do at home.

„iDEAL will begin rebranding to iDEAL | Wero in 2026. This is the first step in the gradual transition to Wero, the European digital wallet already used by over 45 million Europeans.” – according to the press release. Wero is introducing a single, simple, and secure all-in-one payment solution that will be rolled out across Europe in phases. 

To ensure a smooth transition, iDEAL and Wero, in collaboration with ABN AMRO, ING, and Rabobank, have developed a phased migration plan.  This transition is a significant and logical step towards a unified, future-proof European payment system.

„For Dutch users this means they will soon be able to make cross-border online payments as easily and securely as they do at home. Whether ordering a book from a French webshop or booking a hotel in Germany, the experience will be seamless.” – the company explained. 

Wero is part of the European Payments Initiative (EPI). This pan-European initiative aims to create a homegrown, independent, and unified payment alternative in Europe. The goal is a system that can compete with non-European players and integrate all payment functions to meet the needs of users across the continent.  

For the Netherlands, this means iDEAL will evolve into a payment method with European reach. Due to the importantce of services in the Netherlands remaining stable and reliable, The Dutch Central Bank (De Nederlandsche Bank) has oversight of iDEAL and Wero.  

„The transition from iDEAL to Wero is a vital and logical step towards a unified, future-proof European payment system. It will fully retain the convenience, speed, and high level of security that consumers have come to expect from iDEAL, while adding new services.” – the company said. 

What this means for Dutch consumers 

Like iDEAL, Wero will offer fast and secure payments directly from a user’s own bank account, but with added features like purchase protection. The familiar steps of selecting a bank and approving the payment will remain the same. 

The migration will be carried out carefully and in phases to ensure a smooth transition: 

1. A recognisable transition: Beginning early 2026, consumers will see the familiar iDEAL logo replaced by a new, combined iDEAL | Wero logo in webshops, banking apps, and on payment pages. This co-branding phase is designed to help consumers grow accustomed to the new name. 
2. Gradual technical migration: Behind the scenes, transactions will be transferred to the new European Wero platform in a controlled, step-by-step process. This backend process is designed to ensure stability and will start after receiving approval from De Nederlandsche Bank, acting as the supervisory authority.     
3. Full rollout: Eventually, Wero will be the only name consumers see. At that point, Wero will also offer additional features like purchase protection.  Users can get in touch directly through their own banking app should they experience any issues. Wero will then connect them with the merchant to find a quick solution. 

Wero is also designed to support payments for subscriptions, pay-on-delivery services, and in-store purchases in the near future. 

iDEAL providers and webshops will need to prepare their systems 

The arrival of Wero offers participating businesses the opportunity to serve a much larger European customer base with a single technical integration. 

The transition will begin early 2026 with the display of the new combined iDEAL and Wero logo during the checkout process. It is essential that all providers update their systems to the new standard in a timely manner to offer their customers a smooth and consistent experience. Resources will be made available to support and simplify this process. 

ABN AMRO, ING, and Rabobank see Wero as the logical next step for iDEAL 

ABN AMRO, ING, and Rabobank are proud of the success of iDEAL, which has become an indispensable part of the Dutch online payments landscape. They view the switch to Wero as the logical next step. Through their commitment to Wero, they are ensuring that the Netherlands remains at the forefront of innovation. Their customers and businesses will benefit from a strong, secure, and unified European payment network that will eventually offer more services, such as support for in-store payments. 

Wero combines the best of Dutch innovation with the advantages of a broader European reach. 

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Since its launch in 2005, iDEAL has been the standard for online payments in the Netherlands, supported by over 350,000 businesses. With nearly 100% reach among Dutch consumers, iDEAL facilitates more than 1.5 billion transactions annually, accounting for approximately 72% of all e-commerce transactions.  

EPI (or European Payments Initiative) is supported by 16 European banks and payment service providers. They have joined forces with a common goal: to offer a unified mobile payment service, to all European companies and citizens, Wero. EPI intends to enable European consumers and merchants and to carry out all types of retail transactions simply, via a resolutely sovereign digital wallet.

Based on instant account-to-account (A2A) payments, Wero further streamlines payments in Europe by eliminating intermediaries in the payment chain and the associated additional costs. Wero already supports payments between individuals, and will shortly unveil payments to professionals (P2Pro) and those for online and mobile purchases. Point-of-sale payments will also be offered, as well as value-added services such as merchant loyalty programs and recurring subscription management.