What is SEPA and what does it mean for Albanians?
On November 21, 2024, Albania officially became a member of Single Euro Payments Area (Single Euro Payments Area), an important step toward full integration into the European financial market. This development brings numerous benefits to Albanian businesses and individuals, including reduced transaction costs, faster payment speeds, and access to new payment channels.
SEPA is an initiative of the European Union that aims to standardize and simplify euro payments within participating countries. Albania's participation in SEPA means:
Cost and time savings for international payments: Euro transactions with SEPA member countries will be faster and carry lower fees.
Increased financial efficiency for businesses and individuals: Standardizing payment procedures reduces bureaucracy and increases transparency.
Inclusion in a unified and secure payment system: SEPA provides a reliable infrastructure for making euro payments.
For individuals, this means the ability to send and receive money more quickly from Europe, while for businesses, it implies increased competition through lower costs and faster payment processing times.
How does SEPA specifically affect users' daily lives?
Reduction of fees for international transactions
Currently, commissions for transferring amounts such as €1,000, €10,000, or €100,000 are high, often above 11% of the transaction value. With SEPA, these fees can be at least five times lower.
Example: If a business currently pays over €100 in fees for a €10,000 payment, with SEPA that fee can be reduced to €3–€6, significantly saving on large transactions.
Online transfer of €10,000:
0.11 TP3T of €10,000 = €10.
However, since the maximum allowed fee is €3, you will only pay €3.
Transfer of €10,000 initiated at the branch:
0.21 TP3T of €10,000 = €20.
But since the maximum allowed fee is €6, you will only pay €6.
Speed
Instead of waiting several days, SEPA transfers will be completed within 1–2 business days.
Standard SEPA transfers (SEPA Credit Transfer – SCT):
- Duration: 1 business day.
- Description: This is the standard transfer for euro payments within participating countries. If the transfer is made during business hours, it usually completes by the next business day.
SEPA Instant Transfer (SEPA Instant Credit Transfer – SCT Inst):
- Duration: Within a few seconds (up to 10 seconds).
- Description: This advanced scheme is designed for instant transfers. Funds are available in the recipient's account almost instantly, 24/7, even on weekends and holidays.
Increased access to international platforms
Many international payment platforms have integrated SEPA to offer more efficient services to their users. Some of them include:
PayPalPayPal supports SEPA payments, allowing users to link their bank accounts and make euro transfers within the SEPA zone. To use this service, users must accept the SEPA direct debit mandate, which authorizes PayPal to initiate debits from their bank account.
RevolutRevolut offers SEPA transfers to its users, allowing them to send and receive euro payments within the SEPA zone. Since February 2023, Revolut Bank UAB has become a direct participant in SEPA, allowing it to process its own euro transfers through the STEP2 (SEPA Credit Transfers) and RT1 (SEPA Instant) schemes.
Wise (formerly TransferWise)Wise supports SEPA transfers, offering money transfer services with low fees and favorable exchange rates for euro payments within the SEPA zone.
N26N26 is a German digital bank that offers bank accounts with a German IBAN, allowing users to make SEPA transfers in euros within the SEPA zone.
bunqbunq is a Dutch digital bank that offers bank accounts with Dutch IBANs, supporting SEPA transfers for its users.
To take advantage of these platforms' SEPA services, users must have a euro bank account and ensure that the chosen platform supports SEPA for their country of residence. It is important to consult with the service provider to understand the specific procedures and any applicable fees.
What do businesses and individuals need to do to take advantage of SEPA?
Open a bank account in euros.
SEPA works only for transactions in euros. Having a euro account is the first step to making payments and transfers within the SEPA area. Most banks in Albania offer euro accounts. Consult your bank to ensure that your account supports SEPA transfers.
Use IBAN and BIC for transfers.
IBAN (International Bank Account Number) and BIC (Bank Identifier Code) are the international standards that SEPA uses to identify accounts and banks. This information is available in your account agreement or can be requested from your bank.
Choose payment platforms that support SEPA.
International platforms such as PayPal, Revolut, and Payoneer They support SEPA, making international payments easier and less expensive.
Familiarize yourself with the tax regulations and payment reporting.
Payments made via SEPA are monitored by the Albanian authorities and must be reported as expenses or income. Make sure to record all transactions to comply with the fiscalization system in Albania.
Example: If you pay a European supplier €5,000, the transaction must be properly disclosed and presented as such in the financial statements.
Important questions for monitoring and taxation
Will these payments be monitored?
Yes, payments made through SEPA will be reported to Albania's financial and tax system. This does not eliminate financial monitoring, but it helps increase transparency.
How does this affect fiscalization in Albania?
Businesses must report all transactions, regardless of whether they were made via SEPA or in the national currency.
Does SEPA affect European integration and the role of the Lek?
Albania's inclusion in SEPA is an important step toward integration into the EU, modernizing the financial system and facilitating international trade. It removes barriers such as high fees and long transfer times, making Albania more attractive to foreign investors and more competitive in European markets.
However, the euro's dominance in international transactions could challenge the lek's role, reducing its use and jeopardizing the stability of the national currency. The euro will become more widely used for savings and investments, while the Bank of Albania may have less room for independent monetary policy.
For example, businesses importing from the EU can make euro payments within seconds with minimal fees, reducing the need for the Lek in international transactions. Meanwhile, the use of the Lek will remain mandatory in domestic transactions.
SEPA is a great opportunity for Albania, but it requires careful policies to maintain the balance between European integration and the stability of the national currency. The lek must be supported to preserve its role in the economy, while the euro strengthens its influence in international trade and finance.
Conclusion
Inclusion in SEPA brings significant benefits to Albanian businesses and individuals, reducing costs, increasing speed, and opening up new opportunities in international markets. However, to maximize benefits, it is important for businesses and individuals to be informed about the procedures and fiscal regulations.
This step is more than a financial relief; it is a step toward the modernization and integration of Albania into the EU.