Safe payments: Verification of Payee at N26

Verification of Payee (VoP) is a security check that confirms the name and IBAN of the person you're paying match before you send money. It's part of the Instant Payment Regulation (new tab) (IPR) and helps protect you from sending money to the wrong account.

When you start a transfer, N26 queries the recipient's bank in real time. The result appears before you confirm the payment, so you can act on it.

When you make a bank transfer (new tab), you enter the recipient's name and IBAN. N26 checks these details with the recipient's bank and shows you one of 4 results:

1. Full match — The name and IBAN match perfectly. You can proceed with confidence.
2. Close match — There's a slight discrepancy. N26 shows you the official name on file. You can accept the correction, continue with your original details, or cancel. Your choice is recorded.
3. No match — The name and IBAN don't match. N26 warns you that the money may go to the wrong account. You can update the recipient's details and retry, continue anyway, or cancel. Your choice is recorded.
4. Verification not possible — In rare cases, VoP can't run. You can edit the details, continue, or cancel. Your choice is recorded.

If you proceed when the result isn't a full match, you accept full responsibility for the transfer. You won't be entitled to a refund if you ignore the warning and complete the payment.

MoneyBeam (new tab) and Bizum don't use IBANs, so VoP works differently for these services. Instead of an IBAN check, N26 shows you a partial name alias — for example, "John D." — to confirm you're paying the right person while protecting their privacy.

If the alias doesn't match who you intended to pay and you proceed anyway, the money may go to the wrong account. In that case, you accept full responsibility and won't be entitled to a refund. Bizum (new tab) is available in Spain only.

Because SEPA Instant transfers, MoneyBeam, and Bizum payments are instant and irreversible, N26 shows critical warnings before you confirm them:

• MoneyBeam and Bizum general: Send MoneyBeams/Bizums to people you know and make sure their details are correct. Once confirmed, they can't be cancelled.
• MoneyBeam: Send MoneyBeam only to people you know and make sure their email and mobile number is current. You cannot cancel a sent payment.
• Bizum: Do you know this person and want to proceed with the payment? Only send Bizum payments to people you know and trust. Once the payment is sent, it can't be reversed. If you're unsure or suspect a scam, ask for a specialist in the support chat (new tab).

VoP runs for every outgoing transfer. For standing orders, the check happens once — at the moment you set up the order.

• Verify recipient details — Always double-check the IBAN, phone number, or email before confirming a payment.
• Only pay people you know — This is especially important for instant transfers (SEPA Instant, MoneyBeam, and Bizum in Spain), which can't be reversed once sent.
• Stop if something feels wrong — If you suspect a scam or vishing attempt (new tab), don't proceed with the payment.

If you're unsure about a payment or think you may have been targeted by fraud, ask for a specialist in the support chat (new tab).