The objective of the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) is to implement schemes and standards for euro payments in the future. For reasons of efficiency, it is not practical to have national schemes and the SEPA scheme operating in parallel over the long term. This is also consistent with the long-term aim of SEPA, namely to abolish existing national payment schemes.

The SEPA Cards Framework; SCF defines the standards to be met by payment service providers, card systems and other market participants in order for card payments and cash withdrawals within the Single Euro Payments Area to be processed as quickly, safely and efficiently as they are in the home country

Efficient and secure payment systems are the foundation of a stable financial system. The Bundesbank secures and monitors cashless payments in Germany as a financial centre, provides settlement and clearing services and plays an active role in the further development of the single European payment system.

On account of the differences in the legal frameworks and the various domestic direct debit procedures which exist, the EPC decided at an early stage to develop a completely new SEPA Direct Debit Scheme (SDD). However, implementation of this scheme was only possible once a common framework had been developed within the European Union.

On this page, you will find the Bundesbank’s economic publications.