The verdict in three sentences
For a B2B SME with an average basket of EUR 2,800, the payment method directly hits margin: cards cost 1.4 to 2.9%, up to EUR 81 per order, while SEPA direct debit costs EUR 0.35 to 0.80. Instant bank transfers and direct debit should become the default, with cards reserved for new customers and small orders. With B2B instalment payments kept for large baskets, SMEs see on average 40% less bad debt.
The real cost of each payment method
Provider fees are quoted as a percentage or a fixed amount. On a high professional basket, the gap is significant.
| Payment method | 2026 fees (order of magnitude) | Cost on EUR 2,800 | Settlement time | Non-payment risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| European bank card | 1.4 to 1.8% | EUR 39 to 50 | D+2 to D+3 | Low, but chargebacks possible |
| Commercial or non-EU card | 2.5 to 2.9% | EUR 70 to 81 | D+2 to D+7 | Low |
| SEPA Core direct debit | EUR 0.35 to 0.80 per transaction | under EUR 1 | D+2 to D+5 | Refund possible within 8 weeks |
| SEPA B2B direct debit | EUR 0.50 to 1.20 per transaction | about EUR 1 | D+2 | No refund right after debit |
| SEPA instant transfer | EUR 0 to 1 | EUR 0 to 1 | Under 10 seconds | None once received |
| Standard transfer at 30 days | EUR 0 to 0.50 | EUR 0 to 0.50 | D+30 to D+60 | High (late payments) |
| B2B instalment payment | 2 to 4% | EUR 56 to 112 | D+1 (provider advances funds) | Transferred to provider |
SEPA B2B direct debit is often underused: it requires a mandate signed by the business customer, but removes the 8-week refund right, which strongly secures cash flow.
Which mix for which customers
| Customer profile | Typical basket | Recommended method | Annual cost for 100 orders |
|---|---|---|---|
| New customer, first order | EUR 800 | Bank card | EUR 1,120 to 1,440 |
| Recurring customer, monthly orders | EUR 2,800 | SEPA B2B direct debit | about EUR 100 |
| Key account, EUR 10,000 orders | EUR 10,000 | 30-day transfer with automatic reminders | under EUR 50 |
| Customer wanting to spread cost | EUR 5,000 | B2B instalments in 3 payments | EUR 10,000 to 20,000 |
| Customer outside the eurozone | EUR 2,800 | Card or international transfer | EUR 7,000 to 8,100 |
| Urgent order, immediate delivery | EUR 1,500 | Instant transfer | EUR 0 to 100 |
Instalment payments are expensive, but they let you accept orders the customer would not otherwise place, and the non-payment risk sits with the provider.
How to integrate it into your B2B site
A full integration covers choosing the provider (Stripe, Mollie, GoCardless or your bank), electronic signature of the SEPA mandate, automatic reconciliation in the ERP and dunning. Budget EUR 2,000 to 6,000 for an existing site, with 3 to 6 weeks of lead time. Automatic reconciliation alone saves 4 to 8 hours of accounting per month.
Mini case study
Claire, CFO of a professional equipment SME in Dublin, processes 1,200 orders per year at a EUR 2,800 average basket, or EUR 3.36 million. Today 60% are paid by card at 1.8% on average: 720 orders at EUR 50, or EUR 36,000 in annual fees. By moving 450 recurring customers to SEPA B2B direct debit at EUR 1, fees fall to about EUR 13,500 per year for the 270 remaining card payments plus EUR 450 in debits. Savings reach EUR 22,000 per year for a EUR 4,500 integration, paid back in 3 months. Bad debt, which was 1.2% of revenue, drops by 40%.
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FAQ
Is SEPA direct debit suitable for business customers?
Yes, the SEPA B2B scheme is built for them: no refund after debit, fees around EUR 1. It requires a signed mandate and the customer's bank must support it, which is the case for most eurozone banks, including Irish ones.
Should we still accept cards?
Yes, for new customers and small orders it remains the fastest method. But above a EUR 1,500 basket, offering instant transfer or direct debit first cuts fees by EUR 30 to 80.
Is B2B buy-now-pay-later worth 2 to 4%?
It pays off if gross margin exceeds 20% and it lifts basket size or conversion. Providers often report a 15 to 25% increase in average basket among customers who use it.
How do you cut bad debt by 40%?
By combining direct debit for recurring customers, credit checks before ordering and automatic reminders at D-3, D+1 and D+7. Average payment delays often fall from 12 to 5 days.
How much does the technical integration cost?
EUR 2,000 to 6,000 depending on the number of methods and ERP reconciliation. Providers generally charge no setup fee.
Let's scope your project. Share your order volume, average basket and ERP: we will size the right payment mix with an integration budget and a 3 to 6-week timeline. 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.
