What is Wero? A guide for Singapore merchants selling in Europe (2026)

Key takeaways:

• Wero is a pan-European instant payment wallet backed by 16 European banks, built on account-to-account (A2A) rails that pays in under 10 seconds.¹

• Wero is already live for shoppers in Germany, Belgium, and France, with more than 50 million registered users and the Netherlands migrating across from iDEAL through 2026–2027.²

• Airwallex is an EPI Principal Member. This means Singapore merchants can add Wero through their existing Airwallex account without a separate integration or contract.

What is Wero? Wero is a pan-European digital wallet and account-to-account (A2A) payment method developed to make instant bank payments simpler for consumers and businesses across Europe.

If you're familiar with PayNow in Singapore, Wero works in a similar way by letting customers pay directly from their bank account instead of using a card.

For Singapore merchants selling in Europe, offering local payment methods such as Wero helps reduce checkout friction and improve conversion rates.

In this guide, we'll explain what Wero is, how it works, where it's available, and what Singapore businesses need to know about accepting Wero payments.

What is Wero?

Wero is a digital wallet built specifically for Europe. It was created by the EPI, a consortium of 16 major European banks and financial institutions, with the goal of giving the continent a single, sovereign payment method that works the same way across borders.

At its core, Wero is an account-to-account (A2A) payment system. When a customer pays with Wero, money moves directly from their bank account to yours. Transfers complete in under 10 seconds,¹ 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including weekends and public holidays.

The technical backbone is the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) Instant Credit Transfer protocol, a European standard for real-time bank payments. This means Wero runs on the same regulated rails that underpin European banking.

A few things set Wero apart from both cards and older bank transfer methods:

• A2A settlement: funds move bank account to bank account, bypassing card schemes entirely

• Instant: transfers complete in under 10 seconds¹

• No card details or IBAN required: customers authenticate through their banking app

• Bank-backed: governed by the same institutions that hold customer deposits

• Always on: processes 24/7, including nights and weekends

• Pan-European: one method, multiple countries, one integration for merchants

Wero launched its peer-to-peer service in mid-2024. Online payments followed in late 2025.

It is the first payment method designed from the ground up to work the same way across France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, with more countries expected to follow.

Where is Wero available?

Wero is rolling out in phases across Europe, with availability varying by market.

For merchants, the key question isn't just where Wero is technically supported, but where customers can already choose it as a payment method at checkout.

Today, Wero is most relevant for merchants selling to customers in Germany and Belgium, where shoppers can already use it to pay online. France is expected to follow from October 2026.

Although Wero will eventually replace iDEAL in the Netherlands, the transition will happen over time. Until shopper adoption increases, iDEAL remains the primary payment method for Dutch consumers.

How does Wero work at checkout?

From a shopper's perspective, paying with Wero is designed to be as fast as the payment itself.

There are no card details to enter, no International Bank Account Number (IBAN) to type out, and no redirect to a separate banking portal that takes minutes to load. The entire flow takes seconds.

Here is what a Wero checkout looks like for your customer:

1. Select Wero at checkout. The customer chooses Wero from your list of payment options, the same way they would select a card or a wallet.

2. Scan or redirect to their banking app. They are briefly taken to their bank's app (either via a QR code scan or an automatic redirect) where the payment details are pre-filled.

3. Authenticate. The customer confirms the payment using their existing bank authentication: Face ID, fingerprint, or PIN. No new account or password needed.

4. Done. The payment is confirmed instantly. You receive the funds in under 10 seconds,¹ and the customer sees a confirmation on screen.

For merchants, the most meaningful difference from card payments is what happens after the customer taps confirm.

With cards, settlement typically takes one to three days. With Wero, funds move to your account in real time, around the clock. That means better cash flow visibility and no waiting for end-of-day batch settlements.

Wero vs Europe's local payment methods

Wero is gradually replacing several of Europe's existing local payment methods. Rather than asking merchants to support another payment option, the European Payments Initiative (EPI) is consolidating existing bank-based payment schemes under a single brand.

Here's what that looks like across each market:

Giropay (Germany)

Giropay was Germany's bank-based online payment scheme. It was discontinued in 2024, with Wero becoming EPI's account-to-account payment solution for the German market.

Paylib (France)

Paylib was France's mobile payment service, operated by a consortium of major French banks. When Wero launched in France, Paylib users were migrated onto the Wero platform.

Payconiq (Belgium and Luxembourg)

Payconiq was a popular mobile payment app in Belgium and Luxembourg. In Belgium, Payconiq has already migrated into Wero. In Luxembourg, the transition follows the same rollout timeline as the Netherlands.

iDEAL (Netherlands)

iDEAL is the Netherlands' most widely used online payment method, accounting for around 70% of Dutch eCommerce transactions.

From January 2026, iDEAL and Wero began appearing together under a co-branded "iDEAL | Wero" identity. Merchant migration to Wero starts from October 2026, with the transition expected to complete by the end of 2027.*

Why Singapore merchants selling in Europe should care about Wero

If you sell to customers in Europe, the payment methods you offer at checkout can directly affect both conversion rates and payment costs.

European shoppers expect local payment methods

When customers shop online, they expect to see the payment methods they're familiar with. A German customer visiting a Singapore merchant's website expects the same checkout experience they would get from a local retailer.

Wero is already live for shoppers in Germany, Belgium, and France, with more than 55 million registered users. As the Netherlands transitions its iDEAL user base to Wero through 2026 and 2027, its reach is expected to grow further.² ³

For merchants selling into these markets, supporting Wero helps ensure customers can pay using a payment method they already recognise and trust.

Wero is becoming the new standard

Wero is more than just another payment option. In several markets, it is replacing existing local payment methods such as Giropay and Paylib, while iDEAL is transitioning to Wero in the Netherlands.

That means businesses entering or expanding in Europe should view Wero as part of their long-term checkout strategy.

Lower payment costs for account-to-account payments

Because Wero uses account-to-account (A2A) payments, transactions don't rely on traditional card networks such as Visa or Mastercard.

This can reduce payment processing costs compared with card payments, particularly for merchants processing high volumes of European transactions.

Who should consider Wero?

Wero is most relevant for:

• eCommerce and DTC brands selling to customers in Germany, Belgium, France, or the Netherlands.

• Travel and hospitality businesses serving European customers who expect familiar local payment methods at checkout.

• SaaS and subscription businesses planning for Wero's recurring payment capabilities as they roll out.

How you can access Wero through Airwallex

For many businesses, adding a new European payment method means working with another payment provider, signing a separate contract, and managing another integration.

With Airwallex, Wero is available through the same platform you already use to accept payments. Here’s how it works:

Airwallex is an EPI Principal Member

Airwallex became an EPI Principal Member in November 2025, giving it direct access to the Wero network. Unlike providers that connect through a third party, Airwallex integrates directly with Wero.

For Singapore merchants, that means you can enable Wero through your existing Airwallex account without onboarding with another payment provider or managing a separate integration.

What you get with Wero through Airwallex

When you enable Wero, here’s what you get:

• Accept Wero payments from customers in Germany, Belgium, and France, with the Netherlands and Luxembourg joining as the rollout expands.

• Receive same-day EUR settlement (T+0) into your Airwallex account, with no automatic currency conversion unless you choose to convert your funds.

• No local entity or separate Wero contract. Get started using your existing Airwallex agreement, so you can sell to customers across Europe without setting up a local entity or signing another contract.

How to enable Wero

If you're already using Airwallex Checkout, enabling Wero takes just a few steps:

1. Log in to your Airwallex account.

2. Open Checkout and go to Payment methods.

3. Enable Wero for your European markets.

4. Test your integration and publish your changes.

If you don't yet have an Airwallex account, you can sign up and enable Wero once your account is set up.

What to expect as Wero expands

Wero is already available for online payments, with EPI planning to expand it to in-store payments, subscriptions, and other payment experiences as it rolls out across more European markets over the next two years.

New capabilities on the roadmap

EPI has announced several features planned for 2026 and 2027:²

• Recurring payments: planned from the end of 2026, supporting subscription and membership businesses.

• Point-of-sale payments via QR codes: enabling Wero payments at physical checkouts.

• Tap-to-pay (NFC): planned for 2027 for faster in-store payments.

• Buy now, pay later (BNPL): planned alongside instalment payment options.

• Event-based and pay-on-delivery payments: additional payment flows planned from late 2026 onwards.

More European markets

Beyond Germany, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, EPI has confirmed Austria as a future Wero market, with additional countries expected to follow over time.²

Why this matters for merchants

EPI's long-term goal is to make Wero a single payment method that works across Europe for online, in-store, and recurring payments.²

For Singapore merchants, Wero offers both immediate value in today's live markets and a roadmap that extends to additional countries and payment use cases over the coming years.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What is Wero and how does it work?

Wero is a pan-European digital wallet created by the European Payments Initiative (EPI), backed by 16 European banks. It lets shoppers pay directly from their bank account to a merchant's account using account-to-account (A2A) technology, with transfers settling in under 10 seconds.¹ Payments are authorised through the customer's existing banking app, so there's no need to enter card details or manually type in an IBAN at checkout.

Which countries is Wero available in?

Wero is currently live for shoppers in Germany, Belgium, and France. The Netherlands is rolling out through 2026 and 2027, with iDEAL migrating into Wero and expected to be fully decommissioned by end of 2027.³ Luxembourg is following a similar timeline. Austria and additional European countries are confirmed as future markets.²

Is Wero replacing iDEAL?

Yes. iDEAL, the Netherlands' dominant online payment method, is being migrated into Wero on a fixed schedule. A co-branded "iDEAL | Wero" logo began appearing at checkouts from January 2026, merchant contracts transition from October 2026, and iDEAL is expected to be fully decommissioned by end of 2027.³

What types of Singapore businesses should offer Wero?

Any Singapore business with European customers stands to benefit, but three groups have the most immediate reason to act. DTC and eCommerce merchants selling into Germany, Belgium, France, or the Netherlands will see the most direct conversion impact. Travel and hospitality businesses with European inbound customers benefit from Wero's instant, high-value checkout flow. SaaS and subscription businesses should also pay attention: Wero's roadmap includes recurring payment support from end of 2026, making early adoption relevant now.

How do I add Wero to my checkout as a Singapore merchant?

If you are already on Airwallex, you can add Wero directly through your account. Log in, go to your Checkout payment methods settings, enable Wero, and run a test transaction before going live. If you are not yet on Airwallex, sign up for an account and then follow the same steps outlined above.

Do I need a separate integration or European bank account to offer Wero?

No. Through Airwallex, Wero is available as part of your existing payment methods setup. You do not need a European entity, a European bank account, or a separate PSP contract. Wero sits alongside your other payment methods in Airwallex Checkout and settles into your existing Airwallex account in EUR.

What is the EPI and why does Airwallex's membership matter for merchants?

The European Payments Initiative (EPI) is the consortium of 16 European banks that owns and operates Wero. Principal Membership (which is the status Airwallex holds) means direct access to the Wero network, rather than access resold through an intermediary. For Singapore merchants, this means Airwallex can offer Wero from launch, with access to the latest features as EPI rolls them out.

Sources:

1. wero-wallet.eu

2. https://epicompany.eu/media-insights/boursobank-integrates-wero-into-its-payment-solutions/

3. multisafepay.com/blog/from-ideal-to-wero-what-dutch-merchants-need-to-know