The verdict in three sentences
For a B2B service SME, card payment is the most expensive way to collect EUR 1,800 invoices: up to 2.9% + EUR 0.25 on business cards. SEPA direct debit (EUR 0.35 to 0.80 per transaction) and pay-by-bank from a link on the invoice cover most needs at a near-fixed cost. The real gain is not in fees but in DSO cut by 15 to 25 days, which frees up several hundred thousand euros of cash.
What each collection method costs in 2026
The rates below are 2026 orders of magnitude seen at major European PSPs (Stripe, Mollie, GoCardless, Adyen, French banks) for an SME collecting EUR 800,000 to 1,000,000 a month. They are negotiable above EUR 1M in monthly volume.
| Method | Typical fees | Cost on a EUR 1,800 invoice | Settlement | Non-payment risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| European consumer card | 1.4% + EUR 0.25 | EUR 25.45 | D+2 to D+7 | Low, chargeback possible for 120 days |
| Business or non-EU card | 2.5 to 2.9% + EUR 0.25 | EUR 45.25 to 52.45 | D+2 to D+7 | Low |
| SEPA Core or B2B direct debit | EUR 0.35 to 0.80 | EUR 0.35 to 0.80 | D+3 to D+5 | Possible rejection, B2B not disputable |
| Pay-by-bank (open banking) | EUR 0.20 to 0.50 or 0.3 to 0.9% | EUR 0.20 to 5 | Instant to D+1 | None, no chargeback |
| SEPA instant transfer initiated by customer | EUR 0 for the seller | EUR 0 | Under 10 seconds | None |
| Standard transfer without link | EUR 0 | EUR 0 | Whenever the customer pays | Late payment, no technical default |
| Payment link on invoice | Subscription EUR 0 to 50 a month | Depends on method chosen |
SEPA B2B direct debit has a decisive advantage: once the mandate is signed, the customer cannot dispute the debit, unlike SEPA Core (up to 8 weeks to dispute).
Annual cost by payment mix
On 5,400 invoices a year (450 a month), three scenarios for an SME billing EUR 9.72M a year.
| Scenario | Split | Estimated annual fees | Observed DSO |
|---|---|---|---|
| All transfers, manual reminders | 100% transfer | EUR 0 | 58 days |
| Card-only payment link | 40% card, 60% transfer | EUR 86,000 | 45 days |
| Optimized mix | 65% SEPA, 25% pay-by-bank, 10% card | EUR 23,800 | 36 days |
| Optimized mix + automated reminders | Same mix | EUR 23,800 + EUR 3,000 tool | 33 days |
| Factoring for comparison | All invoices | 0.5 to 1.5% of revenue, i.e. EUR 49,000 to 146,000 | 2 days |
The card-only scenario is a common trap: a PSP that is easy to plug in, but fees close to 1% of revenue.
What needs to be integrated technically
The payment link must be generated automatically when the invoice is issued from your software (Pennylane, Sage, Axonaut or ERP), with automatic bank reconciliation when payment comes in. Standard integration costs EUR 3,000 to 8,000 excl. VAT; a customer portal with history, SEPA mandates and self-service invoices costs EUR 12,000 to 25,000 excl. VAT. With mandatory e-invoicing in France from September 2026 for receipt, align the project with your certified platform.
Mini case study
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Claire, CFO of an engineering consultancy SME in Toulouse, issues 450 invoices a month at an average of EUR 1,800. Her DSO is 58 days. With the optimized mix and automated reminders, it drops to 36 days: 22 days gained on daily revenue of EUR 26,630, or EUR 585,900 of cash freed. At her 4.5% overdraft rate, that saves EUR 26,400 a year. Half a person dedicated to chasing payments is reassigned, worth EUR 22,500. Against EUR 23,800 in fees and EUR 6,000 of integration, the net gain exceeds EUR 19,000 in year one.
FAQ
Can card fees be passed on to B2B customers?
In France, surcharging is banned on consumer cards but allowed on commercial cards, up to the actual cost. In practice, steering customers to SEPA is more effective and avoids EUR 25 to 50 in fees per invoice.
Does SEPA direct debit suit every customer?
It suits recurring customers, who often account for 70 to 80% of a service SME's revenue. One-off customers tend to use pay-by-bank or card.
Do instant transfers change the game in 2026?
Yes. Since 2025, eurozone banks must offer instant transfers at the same price as standard transfers, often free. A link that pre-fills the transfer reduces reference errors and speeds up reconciliation.
How long does it take to add a payment link to invoices?
Plan 2 to 4 weeks for a standard integration with your invoicing software, and 6 to 10 weeks for a full customer portal.
Do large accounts agree to pay by link?
Rarely: they pay through their own process at 45 or 60 days. Payment links work mainly with SME and mid-cap customers, usually 60 to 85% of invoice volume.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your invoice volume, average ticket and invoicing software: we will price the payment link and customer portal integration between EUR 3,000 and 25,000 excl. VAT, delivered in 2 to 10 weeks. 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.
