SEPA QR Code for Bank Transfers

Instead of typing IBAN, BIC, amount and reference by hand: scan a QR code, the transfer form is filled in, just confirm. The EPC standard (also called GiroCode) is supported by most banking apps in the euro area.

Need to change the target after printing? Then you want a dynamic QR code, €4.99 one-time.

In short

  • Standard: EPC069-12 (also called "GiroCode" or "EPC QR code")
  • Works with: most banking apps in the euro area, with the widest adoption in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium and Finland, plus neobanks such as N26 and Revolut
  • Not for: US bank accounts. The format only covers SEPA transfers in euros
  • What goes in: recipient name, IBAN, optionally amount and reference
  • Where to use it: invoices, donation appeals, club membership fees, crowdfunding posters
Customize colors & shape
QR branding

Pattern

Corners

Logo (optional)

Advanced: error correction
~7% correction · ideal for clean print, smallest modules
✨ Update the text?This code is fixed: The text is stored in the code itself. An editable one leads to a page you can rewrite at any time.One-time payment, no subscription. The printed code stays the same.

Pricing and privacy at QR Kontor

Static QR codes are free, with no sign-up, no limit and no watermark. Dynamic QR codes, where you can change the destination after printing, cost €4.99 one-time per code. No subscription, no recurring fees. If you have seen other providers charge $49 to $197 for a "lifetime" code: a dynamic code is only a short redirect, no media storage, on EU hosting that costs little to run. That is why €4.99 covers it for good.

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What is a SEPA QR code?

The EPC069-12 standard (also GiroCode) is a uniform QR format defined by the European Payments Council in 2013. When scanned, your banking app fills in the transfer form automatically. You only confirm with your PIN or Face ID.

Advantage: no typos in the IBAN, no forgotten reference, faster payment. Ideal for invoices, donation campaigns, membership fees.

Important for UK and US readers: the format works for SEPA credit transfers in euros. It does not work for US bank accounts (routing and account numbers), and few UK banking apps support it for sterling transfers. If you invoice customers in the euro area from a euro account, it is useful. Otherwise a payment link (PayPal, Stripe, your bank's own request-to-pay link) as a URL QR code is the better choice.


How a SEPA QR code is structured

The QR code contains a plain text string with 8 to 11 lines, one field per line:

BCD
002
1
SCT
COBADEFFXXX
Jane Smith
DE89370400440532013000
EUR15.00

Donation for the animal shelter
Line Meaning Example
1 Service tag (always BCD) BCD
2 Version (002) 002
3 Character set (1 = UTF-8) 1
4 Identification (SCT = SEPA Credit Transfer) SCT
5 Recipient's BIC (optional from version 002) COBADEFFXXX
6 Recipient name (max 70 characters) Jane Smith
7 Recipient's IBAN DE89370400440532013000
8 Amount with currency (optional, empty = payer enters the amount) EUR15.00
9 Purpose code (optional) empty
10 Structured reference (optional) empty
11 Remittance text (max 140 characters) Donation for the animal shelter

Step 1: Gather the data

Step 2: Build the EPC string

Assemble the lines as in the example above. Watch out for:

Step 3: Enter the string in the generator

The text mode is already open in the generator above. Paste the complete multi-line string there.

Step 4: Download and print


Practical examples

Example 1: Invoice with a fixed amount

BCD
002
1
SCT

Tom's Joinery
DE89370400440532013000
EUR450.00


Invoice 2026-042

Example 2: Donation without a fixed amount

BCD
002
1
SCT

Animal Shelter Munich
DE89370400440532013000



Donation

Example 3: Membership fee

BCD
002
1
SCT

FC Sampletown 1923
DE89370400440532013000
EUR60.00


Membership fee 2026 - Jane Smith

FAQ

Which banking apps support the QR code? Most banking apps in the euro area, with the widest adoption in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium and Finland. Neobanks such as N26 and Revolut support it too. Check your own app: look for a "scan QR code" or "photo transfer" option on the transfer screen.

Does it work outside the euro area? In SEPA countries (the EU plus a few non-EU countries such as Switzerland and Norway) yes, as long as the account is in euros. Outside SEPA no, other countries have their own QR payment standards. For US accounts it does not apply at all.

Do I need an account with you? No, the QR code is generated entirely in your browser. We never see the IBAN, name or amount.

Can I change the amount afterwards? With a static code: no, you generate a new one. A dynamic QR code points to an intermediate URL, but for SEPA codes that is unusual because banking apps want to parse the code directly.

What if the recipient name contains accented characters? EPC069-12 supports UTF-8 (line 3 = 1). Accents and umlauts work. Still scan a test with your banking app before printing a thousand flyers.

Is the QR code secure? The code contains IBAN and name, which are not secret anyway. Payment still happens inside your banking app with PIN or Face ID, no risk.

Maximum data length? EPC069-12 limits the total to 331 characters. With very long references or long IBANs you can hit that limit.


Use cases

Where Who
Invoices (PDF and paper) Freelancers, small businesses
Donation appeals (posters, flyers) Nonprofits, NGOs, animal shelters
Membership fees Sports clubs, associations
Crowdfunding events Venues, festivals
Hotel bill at check-out Hoteliers
Tip jar display Cafés, hair salons

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