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Compliance centre

SEPA Core is the euro Direct Debit scheme for consumers across the Single Euro Payments Area. Here's what a merchant needs to know before collecting with it.

6 min read · Updated 26 October 2026

8 wks

Refund, no questions

Payers can ask their bank to refund an authorised Core debit within 8 weeks of the debit date.

SEPA Core rulebook

13 mo

Unauthorised debits

For a debit without a valid mandate, the refund window is 13 months.

SEPA Core rulebook

14 days

Default pre-notification

Payers must be told the amount and date in advance — 14 calendar days unless you agree a shorter period.

SEPA Core rulebook

36 mo

Mandate lapses

A mandate expires if no debit is collected under it for 36 months.

SEPA Core rulebook

Core or B2B?

SEPA has two Direct Debit schemes. The B2B scheme is only for payers who are businesses and has no refund right; the Core scheme is open to everyone and is the only option for consumers. Pay later for online shoppers therefore always runs on Core.

The mandate

A mandate is the payer's authorisation for you to collect from their account. It names you as creditor (with your creditor identifier), carries a unique mandate reference and records the payer's details and consent. Keep it: if a payer disputes a debit, the mandate is your evidence.

Pre-notification

Before each debit, tell the payer the amount and the date. The rulebook default is at least 14 calendar days before, unless you and the payer agree on a different period — for example in your checkout terms. Kalplex sends the notice automatically. See pre-notification explained.

Returns and refunds

A debit can come back for many reasons — insufficient funds, a closed or blocked account, a payer's refund request. Each return carries a reason code. The SEPA return codes guide lists the common ones and what to do.

Create your account, connect GoCardless and switch on pay later in your own checkout.

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