Payment methods: A comprehensive guide for businesses

Here’s the detailed technical and geographical breakdown of the payment options available through our platform:

1. Digital wallet 

PayPal

With PayPal, customers pay using their PayPal accounts. They can also use PayPal as a wallet, storing their cards for purchases. 

• Type: digital wallet

• Countries: global

• Business model: ecommerce, marketplaces

• Recurring payments: yes

• Refunds: yes

• Partial refunds: yes

• Chargebacks: yes

PayPal functions as a global digital wallet spanning more than 200 countries. Buyers link their accounts directly to funding sources or maintain an independent balance. Because users log in with their credentials without exposing financial details to the store, it remains a highly trusted checkout option for retail, travel, and subscription billing.

Apple Pay

Apple Pay is a popular digital wallet that lets customers store their preferred credit and debit cards.

• Type: digital wallet

• Countries: global

• Business model: ecommerce, marketplaces

• Recurring payments: yes

• Refunds: yes

• Partial refunds: yes

• Chargebacks: yes

Apple Pay allows consumers to digitise their credit and debit cards inside the Wallet app, and transactions are authorised via device biometrics, which ensures full compliance with strong customer authentication regulations under PSD3.

Google Pay 

Google Pay is a prominent digital wallet that enables users to store their preferred payment cards securely within their Google Account.

• Type: pass-through wallet

• Countries: global

• Business model: ecommerce, marketplaces

• Recurring payments: yes

• Refunds: yes

• Partial refunds: yes

• Chargebacks: yes

Google Pay enables Android and web users worldwide to execute single-click checkouts on your website using any credit or debit card connected to their profile. Payments are authenticated via device biometrics or secure passcodes, fulfilling all strong customer authentication requirements under PSD2 while reducing friction on mobile.

Vipps MobilePay

Vipps and MobilePay have merged to form Vipps MobilePay, the preferred digital wallet solution for consumers across the Nordic region.

• Type: digital wallet

• Countries: Norway, Denmark, Finland

• Business model: ecommerce, SaaS, subscription, marketplaces

• Recurring payments: yes

• Refunds: yes

• Partial refunds: yes

• Chargebacks: yes

By joining forces, Vipps MobilePay allows Nordic shoppers to complete web and mobile checkouts instantly using a registered mobile phone number. The platform integrates directly into a customer’s smartphone application to remove input friction at checkout. It also supports clean, automated recurring billing architectures, making it a vital addition for subscription services looking to build a stable customer base in the region.

2. Global card schemes

Credit and debit cards

Card payments are still the world’s most popular way to pay. For consumers, they are one of the most secure payment methods.

• Type: global card scheme

• Countries: global

• Business model: ecommerce, SaaS, subscription, marketplaces

• Recurring payments: yes

• Refunds: yes

• Partial refunds: yes

• Chargebacks: yes

Credit and debit cards remain the world's most widely used online payment method, accepted globally and trusted by consumers across every market. They offer strong buyer protection, broad currency support, and work across virtually every ecommerce platform and business model.

PostePay

PostePay is a prepaid card co-branded with Visa or Mastercard. It can be used in person or stored virtually in an e-wallet.

• Type: prepaid card

• Countries: Italy

• Business model: ecommerce, SaaS, subscription, marketplaces

• Recurring payments: yes

• Refunds: yes

• Partial refunds: yes

• Chargebacks: no

PostePay provides pre-funded cards co-branded with major global card networks. Millions of Italian consumers use these cards for secure online checkouts, granting instant authorisations while operating under standard card dispute processing rules.

3. Bank transfer

SEPA Bank Transfer

SEPA Bank Transfer is a secure European cross-border payment method available in 34 countries.

• Type: bank transfer

• Countries: Europe-wide

• Business model: ecommerce, SaaS, subscriptions, marketplaces

• Recurring payments: no

• Refunds: yes

• Partial refunds: no

• Chargebacks: yes

The Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) standard simplifies cross-border transfers across Europe using uniform IBAN formatting. Buyers log into their online banking tools to push funds securely. It is a highly favoured method in central Europe, typically settling within one to three business days, or just 10 seconds with SEPA Instant. 

Pay By Bank

Pay By Bank utilises open banking technology to allow direct account-to-account transfers.

• Type: bank transfer

• Countries: Europe-wide

• Business model: ecommerce, SaaS, subscription, marketplaces

• Recurring payments: no

• Refunds: yes

• Partial refunds: yes

• Chargebacks: no

Pay By Bank operates as a secure, cost-effective alternative to standard card schemes. By letting consumers authenticate payments directly inside their preferred banking apps, it eliminates manual financial data entry and removes chargeback risks for cross-border businesses.

Wero

Wero is a unified digital wallet system developed by the European Payments Initiative (EPI) to harmonise cross-border payments.

• Type: digital wallet

• Countries: Germany, France, Belgium (expanding to the Netherlands and Luxembourg)

• Business model: ecommerce, SaaS, subscription, marketplaces

• Recurring payments: yes

• Refunds: yes

• Partial refunds: yes

• Chargebacks: no

Wero enables customers to execute account-to-account payments directly from their banking profiles, bypassing international card schemes entirely. It processes settlements via SEPA Instant rails within 10 seconds. For merchants, it introduces a low-cost payment infrastructure that will gradually replace national networks.

Learn more about Wero in our guide: What is Wero? The complete guide for your business

iDEAL | Wero

iDEAL has long been a Dutch favourite, and recently it merged with Wero to become iDEAL | Wero – a guaranteed online bank transfer payment option supported by all major Dutch consumer banks.

• Type: bank transfer

• Countries: Netherlands

• Business model: ecommerce, SaaS, subscriptions, marketplaces

• Recurring payments: yes, via SEPA Direct Debit

• Refunds: yes

• Partial refunds: yes

• Chargebacks: no

As the dominant payment system in the Netherlands, iDEAL | Wero handles roughly 70% of Dutch online transactions. It routes funds directly between bank accounts, giving merchants immediate transaction guarantees.

Bancontact

Bancontact is the most popular payment option for online and point-of-sale purchases in Belgium.

• Type: bank transfer

• Countries: Belgium

• Business model: ecommerce, SaaS, subscription, marketplaces

• Recurring payments: yes

• Refunds: yes

• Partial refunds: yes

• Chargebacks: no

Bancontact is Belgium’s primary payment method, processing over 150,000 online and point-of-sale transactions daily. It provides immediate settlement confirmation backed by mandatory 3D Secure technology, meaning transactions cannot be reversed by the consumer.

KBC/CBC Button Payment

KBC/CBC is a payment method for two of Belgium’s largest banks and reaches millions of Belgian shoppers.

• Type: bank transfer

• Countries: Belgium

• Business model: ecommerce, marketplaces

• Recurring payments: no

• Refunds: yes

• Partial refunds: yes

• Chargebacks: no

KBC/CBC Button Payments allow customers to authenticate payments directly within their banking environment. Uniquely, the method allows buyers to delay payment for up to two months, while merchants receive instant settlement – making it a useful option for Belgian retailers looking to offer flexible payment terms without taking on credit risk.

Belfius Pay Button

Belfius is one of Belgium’s largest banks and enables its customers to make real-time payments in their trusted online banking environment.

• Type: bank transfer

• Countries: Belgium

• Business model: ecommerce, marketplaces

• Recurring payments: no

• Refunds: yes

• Partial refunds: yes

• Chargebacks: no

The Belfius platform enables real-time bank transfers for Belgian account holders via their mobile banking applications. Authorisations are guaranteed and cannot be reversed, meaning you can fulfil orders immediately.

EPS

Developed by Austrian banks, EPS is the main bank transfer payment method in Austria.

• Type: bank transfer

• Countries: Austria

• Business model: ecommerce, SaaS, subscription, marketplaces

• Recurring payments: yes

• Refunds: yes

• Partial refunds: yes

• Chargebacks: no

The Electronic Payment Standard is a collaborative framework built by Austrian banks and governing authorities. It represents a highly trusted bank-redirect method that over 80% of Austrian online stores offer, providing immediate payment finality.

Przelewy24

Przelewy24 (P24) is the most popular payment method in Poland, with support from all of the country’s major banks.

• Type: bank transfer

• Countries: Poland

• Business model: ecommerce, marketplaces

• Recurring payments: no

• Refunds: yes

• Partial refunds: yes

• Chargebacks: no

Bank transfers handle the clear majority of Polish digital trade. Przelewy24 coordinates this fragmented market by linking 165 local banks into one stable interface. It provides instant verification, supports 3D Secure protocols, and accommodates integrated Blik or card payments.

Bizum

Bizum is Spain’s leading mobile banking payment method, trusted by over 25 million local consumers.

• Type: bank transfer

• Countries: Spain, Andorra

• Business model: ecommerce, marketplaces

• Recurring payments: no

• Refunds: yes

• Partial refunds: yes

• Chargebacks: no

Bizum connects Spanish bank accounts directly to mobile numbers. At checkout, shoppers enter their telephone details and verify the transaction instantly inside their own banking application, optimising checkouts across Spanish retail sectors.

Multibanco

Multibanco is a highly trusted reference-based payment network that handles major digital transaction volumes across Portugal.

• Type: bank transfer

• Countries: Portugal

• Business model: ecommerce, SaaS, subscription, marketplaces

• Recurring payments: no

• Refunds: yes

• Partial refunds: yes

• Chargebacks: no

Multibanco lets Portuguese consumers complete digital purchases securely post-checkout. At the checkout window, the system generates a unique entity code and reference number. The buyer then uses these details to clear the balance via their mobile banking app, home banking portal, or at any of the 12,000 physical ATMs across Portugal.

4. Direct debit

SEPA Direct Debit

SEPA Direct Debit is a European payment method offering one-off and recurring transactions.

• Type: direct debit

• Countries: Europe-wide

• Business model: SaaS, subscription

• Recurring payments: yes

• Refunds: yes

• Partial refunds: yes

• Chargebacks: yes

This system enables automated collection of recurring subscription fees across 36 European nations. To initiate withdrawals, you require a signed mandate from your customer. Mollie streamlines this by allowing users to sign mandates digitally during an initial checkout transaction using local bank methods. SEPA Direct Debit is widely used in Germany and the Netherlands.

Bacs

Bacs Direct Debit is the primary automated framework for scheduled bank account collections in the UK.

• Type: direct debit

• Countries: United Kingdom

• Business model: SaaS, subscription

• Recurring payments: yes

• Refunds: yes

• Partial refunds: yes

• Chargebacks: yes

Bacs allows businesses to secure automated, recurring settlements from UK bank accounts in British pounds sterling. It serves as a necessary component for software platforms and subscription merchants looking to establish reliable cash flow across the UK market.

Swish

Swish is Sweden’s primary real-time infrastructure, offering mobile-initiated recurring bank settlements.

• Type: mobile payment

• Countries: Sweden

• Business model: ecommerce, SaaS, subscription, marketplaces

• Recurring payments: yes

• Refunds: yes

• Partial refunds: yes

• Chargebacks: no

Swish connects Swedish bank accounts instantly via a mobile device interface. Alongside handling standard one-off digital purchases, its recurring authorisation framework lets subscription merchants collect scheduled balances securely from Swedish consumers.

5. Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)

Klarna

Klarna offers a streamlined checkout experience that combines all of Klarna's payment methods into a single, user-friendly option, offering consumers flexibility and convenience.

• Type: buy now, pay later (BNPL)

• Countries: global

• Business model: ecommerce, SaaS, subscription, marketplaces

• Recurring payments: yes

• Refunds: yes

• Partial refunds: yes

• Chargebacks: yes

Klarna simplifies the user experience, making it easier for consumers to choose different payment options like Pay-in-3 or Pay-in-30, and improves conversion rates for merchants. It also offers businesses protection against non-payment risk, ensuring they receive payments promptly.

Riverty 

Riverty is a European buy now, pay later (BNPL) payment method, offering customers flexible payment options while managing financial risk and dunning processes for businesses.

• Type: buy now, pay later (BNPL)

• Countries: Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria

• Business model: ecommerce, SaaS, subscription, marketplaces

• Recurring payments: no

• Refunds: yes

• Partial refunds: yes

• Chargebacks: yes

Riverty provides a consumer financing solution that allows shoppers to delay payment for up to 30 days. The service assumes the underlying consumer default and collection risks, protecting your business from non-payment while lifting conversion performance.

Alma

Alma is a leading buy now, pay later provider that dominates flexible consumer financing across France.

• Type: buy now, pay later (BNPL)

• Countries: France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands

• Business model: ecommerce, marketplaces

• Recurring payments: no

• Refunds: yes

• Partial refunds: yes

• Chargebacks: yes

Alma lets consumers easily split transactions into two, three, or four instalments. Businesses receive the full settlement credit immediately at checkout, while Alma coordinates the subsequent collection cycles, increasing average order values for European stores.

6. Mobile payments

Satispay 

Satispay is an innovative Italian mobile payment platform that allows consumers to make secure, real-time payments directly from their bank accounts without the need for credit or debit cards.

• Type: mobile payments

• Countries: Italy (expanding across Europe)

• Business model: ecommerce, SaaS, subscription, marketplaces

• Recurring payments: no

• Refunds: yes

• Partial refunds: yes

• Chargebacks: no

Satispay links directly to Italian bank accounts, bypassing traditional credit card scheme networks completely. This mobile-first application lowers transaction fees for merchants while providing a simple smartphone authentication experience for buyers.

Blik

Blik is a mobile payment system that allows consumers to pay in-store and online, deposit and withdraw money from their Blik account, and send money to others.

• Type: bank transfer

• Countries: Poland

• Business model: ecommerce

• Recurring payments: no

• Refunds: yes

• Partial refunds: yes

• Chargebacks: yes

Blik operates as Poland's most popular payment method, reaching over 90% of Polish banking consumers. Buyers generate a temporary six-digit code inside their mobile banking application to authorise secure, real-time web checkouts.

TWINT

TWINT, Switzerland’s most popular mobile payment method, allows users to connect their bank account or cards and the TWINT app to make secure online and in-person payments.

• Type: mobile payments

• Countries: Switzerland

• Business model: ecommerce, SaaS, subscription, marketplaces

• Recurring payments: yes

• Refunds: yes

• Partial refunds: yes

• Chargebacks: yes

TWINT is the dominant digital wallet network in Switzerland, utilised regularly by more than half of the Swiss population. Users connect bank credentials directly to the app, authorising online and desktop purchases instantly via QR code scans.

BANCOMAT Pay

Bancomat Pay is a popular Italian mobile payment service, allowing users to connect their bank accounts to the Bancomat Pay app for secure online and in-person payments.

• Type: mobile payments

• Countries: Italy

• Business model: ecommerce, SaaS, subscription, marketplaces

• Recurring payments: yes

• Refunds: yes

• Partial refunds: yes

• Chargebacks: yes

This Italian mobile system connects directly to the extensive domestic Bancomat banking network. It lets consumers execute secure digital transfers that are authorised instantly via their smartphone banking applications.

MB Way

MB Way is the leading mobile wallet solution in Portugal, covering over 45% of the local digital commerce market.

• Type: mobile payments

• Countries: Portugal

• Business model: ecommerce, marketplaces

• Recurring payments: no

• Refunds: yes

• Partial refunds: yes

• Chargebacks: no

MB Way allows Portuguese consumers to execute checkouts by typing their mobile credentials and authorising the transaction inside a dedicated app using device biometrics. This direct system delivers instant payment finality and protects operating margins for international merchants.

7. Local card scheme

Cartes Bancaires

Cartes Bancaires is France’s local card scheme and the most widely used payment method in France.

• Type: local card scheme

• Countries: France

• Business model: ecommerce, SaaS, subscription, marketplaces

• Recurring payments: yes

• Refunds: yes

• Partial refunds: yes

• Chargebacks: yes

With more than 70 million active cards in circulation, Cartes Bancaires is France's standard payment instrument. Most cards carry Visa co-branding, and transactions require mandatory 3D Secure validation to insulate merchants against fraud.

8. B2B Buy now, pay later (BNPL)

Businesses can use buy now, pay later to purchase goods and pay at a later date. Billie and in3 Business are examples of B2B BNPL providers.

in3 Business   

in3 Business is a payment method operated by in3 and Rabobank, allowing businesses to pay for purchases in three instalments without any interest or additional costs.

• Type: instalment payments

• Countries: Netherlands

• Business model: ecommerce, B2B, marketplaces

• Recurring payments: no

• Refunds: yes

• Partial refunds: yes

• Chargebacks: yes

Operated in partnership with Rabobank, in3 Business allows Dutch commercial entities to split corporate purchases into three interest-free instalments, helping them manage operational capital cycles cleanly without added service costs.

Billie

Billie is a leading European B2B BNPL payment method provider offering flexible payment terms while merchants receive a guaranteed payout.

• Type: B2B buy now, pay later (BNPL)

• Countries: Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, France, and Sweden

• Business model: ecommerce, SaaS, subscription, marketplaces

• Recurring payments: yes

• Refunds: yes

• Partial refunds: yes

• Chargebacks: yes

Billie serves as a major European business financing option, letting corporate purchasers defer invoice payments or stagger settlements post-delivery. The service manages the underlying corporate credit assessment and collection cycles, ensuring merchants receive guaranteed payouts.