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New SEPA standard 2026 —
Structured address: deadline postponed
The end of the unstructured address format in SEPA credit transfers and direct debits, planned for 15 November 2026, was postponed by the European Payments Council (EPC) on 9 September 2026. The new date is due to be set in October 2026. We explain what changes, who is affected, and how to prepare.
Last updated:
Update: the 15 November 2026 deadline is postponed
At its meeting on 9 September 2026, the EPC Payment Scheme Management Board decided to postpone the end of the unstructured address format in its five rulebooks (SCT, SCT Inst, SDD Core, SDD B2B and SPL). Unstructured addresses therefore remain accepted beyond 15 November 2026.
What changes in practice?
Today, the address of a payee or debtor can be entered in a single free-text field ("unstructured address"). At the future deadline, this format will no longer be accepted: you will need a structured (or hybrid) address, with separate fields for town, country, street, etc.
| Today | At the new deadline (date to be confirmed) |
|---|---|
| Unstructured address ("12 rue de la Paix, 75002 Paris") |
✗ Rejected by banks |
| Structured or hybrid address (city, country, street, number, postcode in separate fields) |
✓ Mandatory if an address is provided |
Who is affected?
The address itself does not become mandatory for all payments — only its format changes when it is provided.
Intra-EEA payments
The address remains optional. If you provide one, it will have to be structured or hybrid from the new deadline.
Beneficiary outside the EEA
For a credit transfer (SCT) to a beneficiary located outside the European Economic Area, the address becomes mandatory, in structured or hybrid format.
Debtor's bank outside the EEA
For a direct debit (SDD) debiting a bank located outside the EEA, the debtor's address also becomes mandatory.
How to prepare now?
The postponement gives you time: a few simple steps let you prepare for the deadline without a last-minute rush.
| ✓ Identify beneficiaries and banks outside the EEA in your payment files |
| ✓ Prepare at least the city and country fields (ISO 3166-1 code) for these cases |
| ✓ If possible, also fill in the street, number and postcode (recommended) |
| ✓ Check with your bank the exact format expected in your pain.001 / pain.008 XML files |
Frequently asked questions
What is the new SEPA standard of November 2026?
The 2025 rulebooks of the European Payments Council (EPC) set the end of the unstructured address format in SEPA credit transfers and direct debits (SCT, SCT Inst, SDD) for 15 November 2026. On 9 September 2026, the EPC decided to postpone this deadline. The goal remains the same: moving to structured or hybrid addresses.
Is the 15 November 2026 deadline still valid?
No. The EPC keeps supporting unstructured addresses beyond 15 November 2026. No new date has been set yet: the EPC Payment Scheme Management Board is due to set it in October 2026, and the rulebooks and implementation guidelines will be updated accordingly.
Is the beneficiary's address mandatory in all SEPA credit transfers?
No. The address remains optional for intra-EEA payments. It becomes mandatory only for transfers to a beneficiary located outside the EEA, or for direct debits debiting a bank located outside the EEA.
What will I need to provide once structured addresses are required?
The address will have to be structured or hybrid: town and country (ISO 3166-1 code) will become mandatory fields. Street name, building number and postcode are recommended.
Can I keep using an unstructured address?
Yes, for now. Following the postponement decided by the EPC, unstructured addresses (a single free-text field) are still accepted after 15 November 2026, until the new deadline is announced. Check with your bank, however, as it may apply its own timeline.
How to prepare for this deadline?
The postponement gives you time: identify credit transfers and direct debits involving payees or banks outside the EEA, and gradually prepare the town and country fields (ideally also street, number and postcode) in your payment files.
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