Überweisens

Überweisungen, in German banking terminology often referred to as Überweisungen (plural), are electronic transfers of funds from one bank account to another. They can be domestic or international, and within the euro area many transfers operate under the SEPA framework. The most common forms are Einzelüberweisungen, which are one-time transfers initiated through online or branch channels, and Daueraufträge, standing orders that repeat at regular intervals until canceled. In addition, Echtzeitüberweisungen (instant payments) allow near-instant crediting of the recipient's account, typically within seconds, and SEPA-Überweisungen generally settle within one business day, with real-time variants available for euro-area payments.

To initiate a transfer, the payer must provide the recipient's IBAN and, where required, the BIC/SWIFT code. A payment reference or purpose may be included for invoicing or tracking. The funds are debited from the payer's account and credited to the recipient's account, subject to bank cut-off times and processing cycles.

Processing times vary by type and region: domestic SEPA transfers usually arrive on the next business day; Echtzeitüberweisungen can arrive within seconds; international transfers may take longer, from one to several business days, and may incur higher fees, especially when currencies are involved or correspondent banks are used.

Security and regulation: online and mobile banking authentication, such as passwords and transaction codes, protects transfers. Users should guard against phishing and ensure data accuracy, since incorrect details can lead to misdirected funds. The broader payments landscape in Europe is shaped by PSD2, which governs access to payment accounts and enables third-party payment initiation services under regulated conditions.