The verdict in three sentences
The easiest payment method to integrate, the card, is also the most expensive for B2B invoices of several hundred euros. For EUR 2 million collected a year, a mix of SEPA Direct Debit, instant transfer and card cuts fees by nearly 3x compared with card only. The real gain is elsewhere: online payment on invoices lowers DSO by 15 to 20 days, freeing nearly EUR 100,000 of cash.
B2B payment methods and their fees in 2026
The rates below are the standard public price lists seen in 2026 for a merchant collecting euros from European customers; they become negotiable above a few hundred thousand euros of annual volume. UK firms selling in sterling would use Bacs Direct Debit and Faster Payments on similar logic.
| Payment method | Typical fees | Settlement time | Chargeback risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| European card via Stripe | 1.5% + EUR 0.25 | D+2 to D+7 | yes, up to 13 months |
| Non-EU or commercial card | 2.5% to 3.25% + EUR 0.25 | D+2 to D+7 | yes |
| SEPA Direct Debit (Core or B2B) | 0.35% capped (about EUR 5 per debit) | D+3 to D+7 | Core: 8 weeks; B2B: none |
| SEPA instant transfer | EUR 0 to 1 depending on bank | 10 seconds | no |
| Payment initiation (open banking) | 0.2% to 1% | D0 to D+1 | no |
| B2B instalments or deferred payment | 2% to 4% | D+1 (provider advances funds) | no, risk carried by provider |
SEPA B2B Direct Debit is often underrated: the trade customer signs a mandate once, then every invoice is debited on its due date with no chasing. Unlike SEPA Core, it allows no no-questions-asked refund after execution.
What each scenario costs on EUR 2 million
Assumptions: 800 customers, 4,000 invoices a year, average invoice EUR 500, cost of cash financing 5% a year.
| Scenario | Annual fees | Estimated DSO | DSO cost (cash) | Annual total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard bank transfer only (current situation) | EUR 0 | 52 days | EUR 14,250 | EUR 14,250 |
| 100% Stripe card | EUR 31,000 | 20 days | EUR 5,480 | EUR 36,480 |
| 100% SEPA B2B Direct Debit | EUR 7,000 | 32 days | EUR 8,770 | EUR 15,770 |
| Mix: 50% SEPA, 30% instant transfer, 15% card, 5% instalments | EUR 11,150 | 34 days | EUR 9,320 | EUR 20,470 before sales gains |
| Mix + instalments offered on large baskets | EUR 13,000 | 30 days | EUR 8,220 | EUR 21,220 before sales gains |
Transfer-only looks free but costs in chasing, reconciliation time and tied-up cash. The mix pays off as soon as it lifts online conversion or basket size: B2B instalments often raise basket value by 15 to 25% on orders above EUR 1,500.
What integration costs
| Scope | Budget excl. VAT | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Stripe card + SEPA on an existing site | EUR 3,000 to 4,500 | 2 to 3 weeks |
| + SEPA B2B mandates and debit on due date | EUR 5,000 to 7,000 | 4 weeks |
| + payment link on every invoice (ERP) | EUR 6,000 to 8,500 | 5 to 6 weeks |
| + B2B instalments and automatic reconciliation | EUR 8,000 to 10,000 | 6 to 8 weeks |
Automatic reconciliation, which matches each payment to its invoice in your accounting software, saves the finance team 1 to 2 days a month.
Mini case study
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Emma, CFO of a London lab-supplies SME, collects EUR 2 million a year from 800 European customers, by bank transfer only, with a 52-day DSO. She spends EUR 8,500 integrating a payment link on every invoice and SEPA B2B mandates for the 200 recurring customers. Annual fees: about EUR 11,150. DSO drops to 34 days: 2,000,000 / 365 x 18 days = EUR 98,600 of cash released, i.e. EUR 4,930 of financing costs saved a year. The accountant recovers 1.5 days a month of reconciliation, about EUR 4,000 a year. First-year result: integration and fees are almost covered, and in later years the extra cash funds safety stock without an overdraft.
FAQ
Can card fees be passed on to trade customers?
Surcharging is banned on consumer cards in the EU and UK but remains regulated for commercial cards. In practice it is simpler to offer a 0.5 to 1% discount for direct debit or instant transfer.
Does Stripe support SEPA B2B Direct Debit?
Yes, with an electronic mandate signed online. The customer must notify their bank, which adds 2 to 5 days to the first debit.
Are B2B instalments risky for the seller?
No, the provider advances the funds and carries the default risk for a 2 to 4% commission. It does, however, decline 10 to 20% of requests depending on the buyer's credit.
Which method for export customers?
Card and SWIFT transfer remain the most common outside SEPA. Allow 2.5 to 3.25% for a non-EU card and EUR 15 to 40 of bank fees per international transfer.
How long before DSO improves?
Allow 3 to 4 months for recurring customers to sign their mandates. An activation campaign with a 1% discount over 3 months speeds the switch considerably.
Let's scope your project. Share your annual volume, invoice count and accounting software: we will define the right payment mix, the integration budget and the schedule. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
