The common payment area makes trading and transactions easier within the entire euro area because, through SEPA, payments denominated in euro can be paid and received between 31 European countries and in the domestic market using the same terms and standards.

SEPA services will be introduced gradually starting from the beginning of this year and the transition will be completed by the end of 2010.

The ongoing project is estimated to be the largest ever carried out within the payment traffic area. On these pages, you can find information about the progress and impacts of SEPA.