The Complete Guide to Wero Payments
Wero is Europe's new unified payment system, replacing iDEAL, Giropay, Paylib, and other local methods. Already used by 45+ million Europeans, it's rolling out across the continent in 2026.
What is Wero?
Wero is a pan-European mobile payment solution launched by the European Payments Initiative (EPI) in July 2024. Backed by 16 major European banks, it aims to create a unified payment alternative to American providers like Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal. Wero enables instant payments online, in-store, and peer-to-peer across borders.
Wero Rollout Timeline
The transition from local payment methods to Wero is happening gradually:
Wero Launches
Initial launch in Germany, France, and Belgium for P2P payments
iDEAL Rebranding
Dutch awareness campaign launches. iDEAL becomes 'iDEAL | Wero'
Co-Branding Phase
iDEAL | Wero co-branded logo replaces iDEAL across Dutch merchants
E-Commerce Launch
Wero e-commerce goes live in Netherlands, Belgium, France, Luxembourg
Full Transition
iDEAL fully phases out. All merchants transition to Wero
What Can Wero Do?
Instant Bank Transfers
Pay directly from your bank account with real-time settlement. No waiting days for transfers.
Cross-Border Payments
Pay seamlessly across Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, and Luxembourg with one system.
Online & In-Store
Works for e-commerce checkout, in-store NFC payments (2026), and peer-to-peer transfers.
Digital Wallet
Single wallet app managing all your payments, subscriptions, and loyalty programs.
Purchase Protection
Unlike current bank transfers, Wero includes buyer protection features for online purchases.
BNPL & Installments
Coming soon: responsible Buy Now Pay Later options and installment payments.
Where is Wero Available?
Wero is live in these countries, with more joining in 2026:
Major banks supporting Wero include ABN AMRO, ING, Rabobank, BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, and more.
What Merchants Need to Know
If you accept payments in Europe, here's how Wero affects your business:
Phase 1: Co-Branding (Q1-Q3 2026)
- Your iDEAL checkout becomes 'iDEAL | Wero'
- Payment experience stays exactly the same for customers
- Existing contracts with payment providers remain valid
- No technical changes required on your end
Phase 2: Full Implementation (Q4 2026-2027)
- Wero logo replaces co-branded version
- Sign new Wero contracts with your current provider
- Access to cross-border payments across Europe
- New features: subscriptions, loyalty programs, BNPL
Wero Fees & Pricing
Wero's fee structure differs from current local payment methods:
| Method | Pricing Model | Example |
|---|---|---|
| iDEAL (current) | Flat fee | €0.29 per transaction |
| Wero | Percentage + cap | Small % with built-in caps |
| Credit Cards | Percentage | 1.5-3% per transaction |
EPI has promised Wero won't be more expensive than iDEAL for the first two years. After that, pricing may change.
Consumers pay zero fees for Wero payments.
Benefits of Wero
European Independence
Reduces reliance on American payment networks. Your money stays in European infrastructure.
One System, Multiple Countries
Accept payments from customers across 5+ European countries with a single integration.
Real-Time Settlement
Funds arrive instantly, improving your cash flow compared to traditional bank transfers.
Lower Fraud Risk
Bank-level authentication means customers can't dispute payments like credit card chargebacks.
Modern Features
Subscriptions, split payments, loyalty programs, and BNPL — all built into one platform.
Familiar Experience
Customers continue paying through their trusted banking apps. No new accounts needed.
Potential Concerns
Pricing Uncertainty
While fees are capped for now, long-term pricing after the initial period is unclear.
Chargeback Rights
Wero may introduce buyer protection, potentially creating chargeback-like scenarios for merchants.
Transition Complexity
Some merchants may need to update contracts and integrations, especially those with direct iDEAL connections.
Limited Coverage
Currently only 5 countries. Other European markets still need local payment methods.
How to Prepare for Wero
Contact Your Payment Provider
If you use Mollie, Stripe, or PayRequest, they'll handle the migration automatically. Confirm your provider's Wero support timeline.
Review Your Contracts
Check your current payment processing agreements. Most will transition smoothly, but it's good to be aware of any changes.
Update Your Checkout (If Needed)
Most merchants using payment providers won't need changes. Direct iDEAL integrations may need updates in 2026.
Communicate With Customers
Let Dutch customers know iDEAL is becoming Wero. The experience stays the same, but awareness helps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will iDEAL disappear completely?
Yes. iDEAL will fully transition to Wero by the end of 2027. However, the payment experience for Dutch customers will remain very similar — they'll still pay through their banking apps.
Do I need to do anything as a merchant?
If you use a payment provider like Mollie, Stripe, or PayRequest, they handle the migration automatically. You don't need to take action. Direct iDEAL integrations may need updates.
Will Wero cost more than iDEAL?
EPI has promised Wero won't be more expensive than iDEAL for the first two years. However, Wero uses a percentage-based model (with caps) versus iDEAL's flat fee. Long-term pricing is still unclear.
Can I accept Wero payments from other countries?
Yes! This is a key benefit. Once Wero is live, you can accept payments from customers in Germany, France, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg with the same integration.
Is Wero safe and secure?
Yes. Wero uses bank-level authentication through customers' existing banking apps. The Dutch Central Bank (DNB) oversees Wero operations in the Netherlands to ensure stability.
What payment methods does Wero replace?
Wero replaces iDEAL (Netherlands), Giropay (Germany), Paylib (France), and Payconiq (Belgium/Luxembourg). Each country's local method transitions to the unified Wero system.
When will Wero support subscriptions?
Subscription and recurring payment features are planned for 2027. Currently, you'd use SEPA Direct Debit for recurring payments, but Wero will add this natively.
Does PayRequest support Wero?
PayRequest works with Mollie and Stripe, both of which will support Wero. When the transition happens, your PayRequest payment links will automatically accept Wero payments.
Related Guides
Ready for the Future of European Payments?
PayRequest automatically supports Wero through Mollie and Stripe. Start accepting payments today, and we'll handle the transition for you.