IBAN

An internationally agreed system for facilitating transactions between banks

What is an IBAN?

The IBAN identifies the country, financial institution and the individual bank account.

Using an IBAN reduces errors and delays in making international payments. An IBAN is always used in conjunction with a BIC (Bank Identifier Code), and is not a new bank account number: it uses existing sort codes and account numbers – but with extra information. Please note that for SEPA payments, only the IBAN is required rather than BIC and IBAN.

However, you should never try to create or guess an IBAN. Simply contact the business (or person) you're paying and request their IBAN.

What does an IBAN look like?

Your own IBAN can be found on your paper statement or on your online statement.

When an IBAN is in printed form, the number is split into groups of four characters. This makes it easier to read and check. For example, a UK IBAN in printed form would look like this:

GB99 NWBK 1234 5612 3456 78

When an IBAN is used to make and receive online payments it should not contain blank spaces or the word "IBAN". So, the above UK IBAN should look like this:

GB99NWBK12345612345678

Making payments

When you send payments to the EU, EEA, Switzerland and other countries that have adopted the use of the IBAN, you must quote the beneficiary's IBAN and BIC (Bank Identifier Code). Do not give any extra information, such as bank names, addresses or account numbers, as this can cause problems and delay payment. Please note that for SEPA payments, only the IBAN is required rather than BIC and IBAN.

Although you have to use IBAN and BIC for cross-border payments, you can also use them to make currency payments within the UK. However, if you're simply making sterling payments within the UK, you should use sort codes and account numbers as usual.

Receiving payments

If you receive funds into your account from businesses within the EU, EEA, Switzerland or other IBAN-compliant countries, you must provide the payer with your IBAN and your BIC. Do not provide any account number, bank number or address information, as this could delay your being paid.

You can also provide your IBAN and BIC for payments you receive from other countries worldwide, including currency payments within the UK. For sterling payments within the UK, simply use your account number and sort code.

IBANs (International Bank Account Numbers) are used by countries in the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland (plus certain other countries).

Your guide to IBANs

Where can I find my own IBAN?

What's the purpose of IBAN and BIC?

When should I use my IBAN and BIC?

You should print them on your invoices for clients outside the UK. You should also use them when you're instructing a foreign bank to make payments to your account. You can also use your IBAN and BIC for currency payments within the UK. However, for UK payments in sterling, you should continue to use your sort code and account number.

Do I have to use my IBAN?

Yes.

If you want to make a payment to the EU, EEA (including Switzerland) or any of the other countries that have adopted the IBAN, you must use the beneficiary's IBAN and BIC. For SEPA payments, only IBAN is required rather than BIC and IBAN.

If you want to receive payment from businesses within the EU, EEA (including Switzerland) or any of the other countries that have adopted the IBAN, then you must print your IBAN and BIC on your invoices.

The person or company I want to pay hasn't provided an IBAN/BIC, what should I do?

If you need to make a payment to the EU, EEA (including Switzerland) or any of the other countries that have adopted the IBAN, you must use the beneficiary's IBAN and BIC. For SEPA payments, only IBAN is required rather than BIC and IBAN.

By law, the company you're paying should provide this information - they can find this on their statements. The beneficiary's bank can reject your payment if you don't use an IBAN and BIC.

If the company hasn't provided their IBAN and BIC, you should ask for these details. You could also tell the beneficiary company that payment may be delayed or subject to additional charges if they fail to provide this information.

Should I use my own IBAN and BIC on UK invoices?

How do I check an IBAN?

What is a BIC (Bank Identifier Code)?

An IBAN is always used in conjunction with a Bank Identifier Code, or BIC, except for SEPA payments, where only the IBAN is required.

The BIC is a standard identifier for banks internationally. It is issued by SWIFT and should be used on all international payments. A BIC consists of either 8 or 11 digits.

Here is an example of the NatWest BIC:

NWBKGB2L (8 digits)

or:

NWBKGB2LXXX (11 digits)

Find out more about BICs on the SWIFT website.

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