How to Accept Payments from EU Clients as a UK Business

For UK companies selling goods or services to Europe, getting paid efficiently is critical. Since Brexit, receiving money from EU customers has become more complex due to higher fees, currency conversion costs, and longer settlement times.

If you want to know the best ways to receive payments from EU customers UK businesses now have multiple options, from traditional bank transfers to SEPA netwrok and modern fintech solutions. Choosing the right method can reduce costs, improve cash flow, and create a smoother experience for your clients.

1. Bank Transfers via SEPA

The Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) through banks allows businesses and individuals across Europe to send euro-denominated transfers quickly and cheaply.

• Pros: Widely accepted, fast, and trusted across EU member states.
• Cons: Many UK banks add extra fees for SEPA transfers after Brexit. Exchange rates can also include hidden markups.

For a UK business that needs to receive payments from EU customers UK, SEPA can still be effective if you use the right provider to cut conversion fees.

2. Accepting Card Payments from EU Clients

Card payments remain popular for EU clients making purchases online or paying invoices.

• Visa and Mastercard work across borders.
• Payment gateways (like Stripe, PayPal, Adyen) can process EU card payments easily.
• Downsides: currency conversion fees, chargebacks, and higher processing costs.

If card acceptance is essential, choose a provider with transparent FX margins so you don’t lose profits when you receive payments from EU customers UK.

3. Multi-Currency Business Accounts

A growing number of UK businesses are opening multi-currency accounts to hold euros directly.

• Receive money from EU clients in EUR.
• Convert only when you need another currency, reducing repeated FX fees.
• Easier reconciliation for finance teams.
• Many fintech providers like Transferra will also offer virtual cards with Apple & Google Pay, with convenient card payment options.

This works especially well for exporters, SaaS businesses, and agencies with regular EU invoices.

Examples: Transferra multi-currency business account, Wise Business, Revolut Business account.

4. Using a Payment Platform Built for International Trade

While banks and card gateways have limitations, specialist platforms make it simple to receive payments from EU customers UK.

Our platform enables UK businesses to:

• Integrations with e-commerce or accounting systems.
• Accept SEPA transfers directly in EUR.
• Open a euro-denominated account under your company’s name.
• Convert funds at competitive exchange rates.

This means your EU customers can pay you like a local, while you save money and time on cross-border payments.

Examples: Airwallex (supports SEPA + integrates with Shopify), WorldFirst (built for exporters/importers), Equals Money (specialist FX + expense solutions).

Best Practices for Getting Paid by EU Clients

To streamline payments:

• Invoice in EUR to avoid unexpected costs for clients.
• Provide clear payment instructions with IBAN/BIC for SEPA transfers.
• Be transparent about fees to build trust with your customers.

Final Thoughts

Post-Brexit, it’s more important than ever for UK businesses to simplify the way they receive payments from EU customers UK. Whether through SEPA, cards, or multi-currency accounts, choosing the right platform ensures faster, cheaper, and more reliable payments.

With our solution, you can give EU clients local payment options, reduce fees, and keep more of your revenue. Start accepting payments from EU customers with confidence today.

FAQs

Q: What is SEPA and why is it important for UK businesses?
A: SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) makes euro bank transfers across EU countries fast and low-cost. UK businesses can still use SEPA via fintech platforms even after Brexit.

Q: Which countries are in the SEPA zone?
A: SEPA covers all EU member states plus additional countries such as Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. In total, there are more than 30 participating countries where SEPA transfers work like domestic payments.

Q: How fast are SEPA transfers?
A: Standard SEPA credit transfers usually take 1 business day, while SEPA Instant payments (supported by many EU banks & fintechs) can arrive within seconds, 24/7.

Q: What does it usually cost to send or receive a SEPA transfer?
A: Within the SEPA zone, euro transfers are often free or very low cost (often under €1). However, if you want to receive payments from EU customers UK businesses often face extra charges with high-street banks. Specialist platforms usually provide cheaper and more transparent pricing.

Q: Can I receive euros directly into my UK business account?
A: Yes, with a multi-currency or EUR-denominated account. This reduces conversion fees and helps with client relationships.