Wero
WebsiteWero is the European payment wallet of the European Payments Initiative (EPI). It sends and receives money between bank accounts in 10 seconds or less, around the clock, with only a phone number instead of an IBAN.[1] You activate it in the app of a participating bank.[1]
Where Wero is available
Wero works for person-to-person payments in Belgium, France, Germany and Luxembourg. Online payments are live in Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg, and in-store payments in Belgium and Luxembourg.[2] In the Netherlands the migration from iDEAL to Wero is underway[2], and Wero's own site lists the Dutch launch as planned for 2026.[1] EPI expects to launch in Austria in 2027.[2]
Who is behind it
EPI was founded by 18 European banks and payment service providers as shareholders, and more than 50 further institutions are members.[2] Wero is meant to cover all retail payment use cases, from sending money to online and in-store payments, based on instant account-to-account payments.[2] In September 2026 EPI created the European Network for Payments in Madrid together with Bizum, Bancomat, SIBS (MB WAY) and Vipps MobilePay, to connect these solutions across borders.[2] Bizum is listed in the same category.
What to keep in mind
Wero works only if your own bank has joined, and what you can do with it depends on the country, see above.[1]
Sources
- [1] EPI Company: Wero - European payment solution. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- [2] EPI Company: Bancomat, Bizum, EPI/Wero, SIBS–MB WAY and Vipps MobilePay announce the creation of a European interoperability entity. Retrieved October 23, 2026.