SEPA Lastschrift is designed to make collecting payments within the eurozone easy and consistent. With a one-time mandate, customers authorise businesses to debit their bank account for one-time or recurring payments. This is particularly useful for subscription-based services, instalment payments, and ongoing billing relationships.

For merchants, SEPA Lastschrift reduces manual payment handling, improves cash flow predictability, and increases retention by making recurring payments effortless for customers. It also helps reduce payment delays and provides a clear framework for handling refunds and failed transactions.

Key features and benefits

• Automated direct debits: Payments are automatically withdrawn from the customer’s account based on the terms of the mandate.
• High trust in Austria: Austrians are familiar with and confident in direct debit for recurring or high-trust transactions.
• Low processing costs: SEPA Lastschrift transactions are cost-effective compared to card-based payments.
• Recurring payment support: Ideal for subscriptions, memberships, rent, and utility payments.
• EU-wide compatibility: Works across all SEPA countries, making it suitable for cross-border eurozone transactions.
• Customer protections: Customers have the right to dispute and reverse unauthorised payments under SEPA regulations, which increases consumer confidence.

Ideal for subscription businesses and service providers

SEPA Lastschrift is particularly effective for businesses with recurring billing models, such as insurance providers, telecoms, energy suppliers, and digital subscriptions. It ensures timely payments and reduces administrative overhead by automating collections.

For consumers, it offers convenience and reliability—no need to remember due dates or manually initiate transfers. Authorised payments are handled efficiently, and customers maintain visibility and control through their bank statements.

Integration with Planet

Planet supports SEPA Lastschrift in Austria, enabling merchants to integrate this popular direct debit method into their payment systems with ease. By offering SEPA Lastschrift through Planet, businesses can deliver a localised, low-cost, and trusted payment experience while simplifying operations and improving payment reliability. This makes it an excellent choice for merchants aiming to streamline long-term billing cycles and foster customer loyalty.