Sofort

Sofort
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SOFORTbanking

SOFORTbanking (formerly known as Direct ebanking) is a variation on payment via bank transfer and enables customers to pay from a number of countries using their own familiar banking environment. This is an excellent option if you also want to sell your products or services outside the Netherlands. This payment solution is particularly popular in Germany, although consumers in countries such as Austria and Belgium are also increasingly using it.

Supported by 20,000 banks in the EU

Around 20,000 banks in the EU support SOFORTbanking’s online payment system. Account holders at these banks can use the payment service via their own banking environment.

Betaalmethode SOFORTbanking

Secure payments from 7 countries

Do you sell your products outside the Netherlands? SOFORTbanking enables your customers to pay via their own banking environment, through a process similar to the one for an iDEAL payment. The payment is processed immediately by the consumer’s bank. SOFORTbanking is currently available in the following countries:

  • Germany
  • Austria
  • Switzerland
  • Poland
  • Belgium
  • Italy
  • Spain

More payment methods for Europe

In addition to SOFORTbanking, we offer a range of other popular payment options that allow your customers to easily make payments from several European countries.

Some examples include Bancontact in Belgium, Giropay in Germany and MyBank in Luxembourg, France and Italy. If your online shop also attracts customers outside Europe, payment via credit card might be the right option for you.

SOFORTbanking for your online shop

SOFORTbanking is an easy-to-use payment service that makes it possible to transfer money directly from several countries. The payment is processed by the consumer’s own bank. This payment method meets strict security standards and has therefore acquired several certifications, including the TUV certification.

Your customers do not need to create an account to use the SOFORTbanking payment option. Similarly, entrepreneurs do not have to register for anything either. You can set everything up quickly and easily via PAY. A web shop with SOFORTbanking is available through the free Pioneer (XS) package.
 

Pitfalls of Sofort

A SOFORTbanking payment is a SEPA bank transfer payment. However, it is possible that a payment might not be received. PAY. monitors the reception of payments for you and notifies you once a payment has been received, and also if a payment has not been received after ten working days (at the most). Unreceived payments are increasingly prevalent, especially associated with desirable products such as smartphones, computer equipment and high-value tickets. You should therefore carefully consider when to ship your products.

Contact your account manager to discuss the settings best for you if you wish to use the SOFORTbanking payment method. Depending on your service, they can advise you and help you avoid potential trouble in the future.
 

Technical innovations implemented by PAY. limit risks

PAY. gives you the option of delaying the shipment of your products until the payment has actually been received. Once that's happened, the order is added to your statistics and you can rest assured that you will actually receive the payment in your account.

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You can set the minimum order amount at which shipping is delayed in your Admin Panel.

It is not possible to delay the delivery of some products or services, such as digital content or call credit. You should therefore note in your business case that a certain percentage of these payments will not be available immediately.

Credit & Risk management will attempt to collect the payment

If you have not received a payment, we will automatically draw up a “Dunning letter” for the buyer’s bank. As the sale has been finalised, they are required to pay the amount due. A majority of your customers will then proceed to transfer the payment themselves. Until they do, their bank account details are placed on a blacklist to prevent them from placing more orders.

An overview of the advantages
  • Available in 8 European countries
  • More countries are added regularly
  • For professional and private customers
  • Customers pay via their own familiar banking environment
  • Easy and secure payment method (with a TUV certification)
An overview of the disadvantages
  • Reception of the payment is not 100% guaranteed

SOFORTbanking availability

xs Pioneer Full service
xs Professional Full service
xs Business Full service
xs Corporate Full service
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Availability

Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Belgium, France, Italy and Spain
All payment methods
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