Starting December 11, 2025, ING Bank customers will be able to receive instant euro transfers, free of charge, from all European countries that have adopted the euro currency. They will also be able to receive instant incoming payments from SEPA* countries that do not use the euro, from banks that have joined the instant euro payment scheme, including from Romania. The instant euro incoming payment service is free of charge for both individuals and companies.
Thus, just in time for the winter holidays, ING customers will be able to receive funds within seconds, at any hour of the day or night, on weekdays and weekends alike.
An important aspect is that incoming payments can be received into any account. The payer sends the transfer in euro, and the beneficiary receives it in the specified account, regardless of whether that account is in euro, lei, or another currency.
The SEPA scheme, initiated and developed by the European banking sector, enables euro payments between accounts held at banks in any country within this area, simple, fast, and secure. Currently, instant incoming and outgoing payments within SEPA are mandatory only for countries in the euro area. The SEPA area includes the 27 member states of the European Union, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, Monaco, San Marino, Andorra, and Vatican City.
„According to the European Union’s instant payments regulations, by January 9, 2027, all banks and payment service providers in Romania must offer their customers the ability to receive euro transfers, and by July 9, 2027, the ability to send instant euro payments. At ING, we are pleased to announce that we have launched the instant euro incoming payment service one year ahead of the deadline set by the European Commission.
We wanted it to be available now, before the holiday season, when transaction volumes increase significantly and people need fast access to their money. Specifically, at ING, in December of last year, we recorded a 23% increase in transaction volumes and a 16% increase in the number of transactions compared to previous months. Thus, we are taking another important step toward providing faster, fully digital transfers that comply with all strict security standards, while also offering greater predictability during a busy, yet special, time of the year.” – Crina Pătru, Director of Payment Services Development ING Bank România
Instant payments bring significant benefits to both individuals and companies.
The main advantage is that euro transfers will no longer take several days; they will reach the recipient’s account within seconds, 24/7/365, including at night, on weekends, or on public holidays.
For individual customers, having funds credited instantly means immediate access to money for urgent expenses, unexpected situations, or holiday-related payments. Many Romanians work in other European countries, and the ability for money sent home to arrive within seconds, at any time, offers families greater comfort and security.
For companies, instant incoming payments can improve cash-flow management, cover urgent expenses, and help maintain business operations without interruptions, while also supporting a more dynamic European economy.
In the coming period, ING Bank Romania will also launch instant euro payments for the SEPA area.
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