If you work with foreign clients (residents or non-residents), sooner or later this question will come up:
‘Can I pay you through Bizum?’ —and, if you’re not Spanish, the international version: ‘What is Bizum in my country?’
The short answer is: Europe is moving towards instant payments, but national solutions (Bizum, MB WAY, Bancomat, etc.) still coexist with a more ‘pan-European’ approach (Wero). And for you, as a self-employed person or company, the important thing is not the name of the app: it’s getting paid properly, justifying payments better and keeping accounts without headaches.
Why does this issue matter in 2026?
The truth is that the word ‘Bizum’ has become as viral in Spain as ‘Bimbo bread’ or ‘La Casera’. Who hasn’t heard or said ‘Shall I send you a Bizum?’ or ‘Can I pay you by Bizum?’
Nowadays, cash is becoming increasingly extinct and almost no one pays in cash anymore.
The truth is that Bizum makes our lives much easier, and logically, Bizum has made its way into business. It is true that Bizum is limited to €500 per transaction, but even so, you can collect a lot of money per year. And this leads us to wonder what happens with Bizum abroad.
Why is Bizum such an important issue?
Here are some of the most important aspects of Bizum in Europe:
- Instant payments as a European standard. The EU has promoted the roll-out of instant transfers (in seconds) between Member States, which is accelerating the demand for immediacy from more and more customers.
- Real interoperability (already underway). In the ‘Bizum world’, cross-border interoperability between Bizum (Spain), MB WAY/SIBS (Portugal) and Bancomat (Italy) has been active since March 2025, including Andorrain that ecosystem. In fact, banks are negotiating to create a European Bizum and connect payment systems.
- Greater traceability for professional payments. Since January 2026, the Treasury has strengthened reporting requirements for payments made by businesses and professionals through Bizum and equivalent systems (monthly information submitted by entities).
Comparative table: Bizum, Wero and other systems (by country and main use)
Practical note: the specific availability depends on the affiliated banks and the migration that each country/bank is doing. The table gives you the right mind map to talk to the client and offer a quick alternative.
| Solution | Countries where it is implanted | Typical main use | What should you know as a business in Spain? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bizum | Spain (and extension/operation with Andorra; interoperability with Italy and Portugal via alliance) | Immediate P2P; also collections in stores/online according to bank | It can be convenient, but in professional collections: invoice/receipt + accounting record yes or yes (and separate personal/professional account). |
| Wero (EPI) | Germany, France and Belgium | Instant P2P “bank-based” (and expansion to payments in online commerce) | If the customer is FR/BE/DE, he will ask more and more for Wero; his operational “translation” is usually: immediate payment on account, traceable. |
| MB WAY / SIBS | Portugal (in an interoperable ecosystem with Bizum/Bancomat) | P2P; mobile payments | If your client is Portuguese, you can pay “as Bizum” without IBAN in participating banks (depending on adoption). |
| Bancomat | Italy (in interoperable ecosystem with Bizum/MB WAY) | P2P; payments | In participating banks, it operates as an immediate payment “Bizum type” to Spain |
| Other national systems (EuroPA) | Includes, among others, Blik, IRIS, Vipps in addition to Bancomat/Bizum/SIBS | P2P and local payments | Your client can get to know “your local app”; its goal is to offer you an alternative channel (SEPA instant transfer, card, gateway). |
If your client is in France or Belgium: what to expect and alternatives
France: from Paylib to Wero (and customers consider it ‘normal’)
In France, Wero replaced Paylib between friends (transition completed in 2025).
What this means for you:
- If a customer says, ‘I’ll do a Wero,’ they are usually thinking of paying from their bank, with the same simplicity as Bizum.
- Your best commercial response is to offer two options:
- ‘Perfect: instant transfer (SEPA Instant) to this account.’
- ‘If you prefer, card/gateway (for online services).’
Belgium: Wero advances and Payconiq migrates
In Belgium, Wero is available and, in addition, there has been a migration from Payconiq to the Bancontact/Wero ecosystem in the recent transition.
What this means for you:
- A Belgian may come up with ‘Payconiq’ on their lips, but the bank will talk to them about Wero/Bancontact.
- If you want to avoid friction: QR, ‘instant payment’ and bank account are the words they understand best (and are most universal).
Response script (what is usually done)
‘We can make it easy: I’ll give you an IBAN and if your bank allows instant transfers, you’ll receive it in seconds. If you prefer, we also accept card/online payment. And if you’re in Spain, Bizum.’
For freelancers and companies in Spain: how to collect and register correctly (without complications)
Here are the essentials (and what avoids the most problems):
1) Separate ‘payment’ from ‘invoice’
- Payment does not replace the invoice. Bizum, instant transfer or Wero are means of payment; the obligation to invoice/register depends on your activity and applicable regulations (VAT, income tax, corporation tax, etc.).
- Operational recommendation: issue an invoice/receipt and link it to a bank statement or proof of transaction.
2) Bank reconciliation: a simple method that works
- Create an internal ‘field’: Payment reference (date + customer + concept).
- Each payment must have:
- Identified customer
- Concept (service/product)
- Associated invoice (number)
- Proof of payment (statement, receipt, screenshot)
3) Be careful with Bizum for professional payments in 2026
From 2026, the framework of reporting obligations will be strengthened for payments made by businesses and professionals using Bizum or equivalent systems, with monthly reports from entities.
Practical translation:
- If you collect payments via Bizum ‘on a regular basis,’ it makes sense to operate with a business account and keep accurate records.
- Mixing personal and business accounts is not ‘illegal per se,’ but it is an efficient way to invite chaos (and extra work).
4) Internal policy recommendation (for SMEs)
A one-page document (yes, one) with:
- What payment methods you accept (transfer, Bizum, card, cash if applicable)
- How the payment is identified
- Who authorises refunds
- Where receipts are filed
Mini-block: typical frauds in instant payments (and how to avoid them)
Instant payments have one advantage and one disadvantage: they are instant. That is why fraudsters want you to confirm quickly.
1) ‘Reverse Bizum’ (the classic scam)
The scammer does not send you money: they send you a request for money and you, believing that you are ‘accepting a payment’, authorise a payment.
Golden rule: if you are asked to ‘accept’ in order to receive a payment, read it twice. Accepting is not always cause for celebration.
2) Impersonation via WhatsApp / ‘I sent you a Bizum by mistake’
They write to you as if they were an acquaintance or a buyer and pressure you to return money or accept requests.
3) What to do if you suspect fraud
- Report it to your bank as soon as possible and keep evidence.
- File a complaint and provide screenshots/data.
Conclusion: how to impress the client (and their accountants)
- If the customer is from France/Belgium/Germany: mention Wero and offer instant transfer as a universal method.
- If the customer is from Italy/Portugal/Andorra: the ‘Bizum world’ is already connecting solutions.
- For you, the key factors are: invoice + receipt + reconciliation, and minimising the risk of fraud with a simple protocol.
