What will happen with iDEAL and other European payment brands when Wero arrives?

Why are iDEAL and other European payment methods disappearing?

Now that Wero is arriving, users of iDEAL, Payconiq, Giropay, and Paylib may wonder what’s next. Let’s be clear: while they aren’t disappearing overnight, things will change. A European-wide move means these solutions will merge into one powerful new payment methodsolution, Wero. Let’s take a closer look at the payment solutions being replaced: 

• iDEAL is an online payment method that allows consumers to pay directly through their own bank. It offers secure, fast, bank-to-bank transfers with low fees and quick settlements. iDEAL is the dominant payment method in the Netherlands and has been one of the most popular online payment methods in Dutch e-commerce. It provides real-time payment confirmation and is supported by virtually all major Dutch banks. It is expected to be decommissioned by 2028, with the exact date to be confirmed.
• Payconiq was a mobile-first payments platform that emphasised easy, fast payments through QR codes and mobile apps, whether online or in-store. While it was available in both Luxembourg and Belgium, in the latter Payconiq merged with Bancontact in 2018 to form the Bancontact Payconiq group. The platform was often described as the Belgian equivalent   to iDEAL, offering similar functionality but with a mobile-first approach. It was decommissioned on 4 December 2025.
• Giropay   was a secure online banking payment method that was introduced by German banks. It offered real-time transaction confirmation and wide bank support across Germany. The method allowed customers to complete transactions directly through their bank accounts.  It was decommissioned on 31 December 2024.
• Paylib was a popular digital wallet and e-payment service in France, developed by major French banks and supported by Le Groupement des Cartes Bancaires CB  (the French national card payment system). It was functioning as an online payment method, allowing for secure transactions. Paylib was decommissioned early 2025. 

By bringing these local payment methods together, EPI is creating something stronger: a unified, cross-border, account-to-account, European payment solution.

What should merchants expect now existing brands like iDEAL and other European payment methods are merging into Wero? 

In short, Wero will be faster, simpler, and pan-European, making checkout smoother whilst helping you attract and retain customers across the continent. Here are the key benefits:

Simplified payments – the payment method landscape is becoming cleaner with fewer brands and no borders. This makes it easier for both your customers and your business.

A mobile-first experience – Wero meets today's consumer expectations for mobile payments with a smoother and faster end-to-end order process.

Seamless cross-border payments – with richer services than debit cards, the same level of service as credit cards, and lower costs, all in one method.

Payment guarantees – even complex transactions like fuel reservations, EV charging, or delayed partial payments for e-commerce are protected.

Higher conversion rates – as a dedicated mobile wallet payment method, Wero is designed to reduce friction and increase completed transactions.

What will this mean for consumers that are used to using iDEAL and other European payment methods?  

So, what is the bottom line for consumers? Well, if they have been using iDEAL, Payconiq, Giropay or Paylib, these methods will no longer be available. As of the end of 2025, already Paylib, Giropay and Payconiq have been decommissioned. For customers in the Netherlands, iDEAL will be available for longer than the other three; it will be decommissioned by 2028.  

Although these legacy account-to-account (A2A) local payment methods will stop working, Wero will be in place to serve the needs of customers in Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Germany, and the Netherlands. If they have been using one of the solutions through a bank, many have already moved to Wero, meaning either it will automatically be integrated into their banking app or they will be directed to the Wero app. The switch will be easy to make in all five countries.

Not to mention, one advantage of Wero over these local payment methods is that it will be available even for inter-country payments, something that was not possible before with these countries’ local digital payment offerings. All that to say, that for European consumers, online payments have never been easier. 

When a consumer is shopping on their laptop, they simply select Wero at checkout, scan the QR code presented, and open their Wero or bank app to confirm the payment. The process is intuitive and takes seconds. If a consumer is shopping on their mobile, they select Wero at checkout, automatically they get re-directed to their Wero or bank app, and they confirm the payment. Then, when they return to the same shop, they can pay even faster as with Wallet ID the details are saved. No scanning required thanks to push notification to confirm the payment on their mobile phone.