EPI begins Wero ecommerce roll-out with Dutch banks

Belgium-based European Payments Initiative (EPI) has started rolling out Wero for online commercial payments in the Netherlands. Payment service providers (PSPs) can progressively make the service available to Dutch merchants, which can begin moving from iDEAL to Wero. EPI aims to complete the migration before the end of 2027. The company considers this timeframe necessary for an orderly transition.

Availability through 11 banks

According to EPI’s press release, Wero is available to customers of 11 Dutch banks:

• ABN AMRO
• ASN Bank
• bunq
• BUUT
• Finom
• ING
• Knab
• Nationale-Nederlanden
• Rabobank
• Triodos Bank
• Van Lanschot Kempen

A single Wero integration will let merchants reach customers across Europe. EPI describes the service as “independent, sovereign payments”. The company presents the migration as a move towards a European payment option, not only a domestic successor to iDEAL.

The launch is the next stage of the migration EPI announced earlier in 2026. EPI CEO Martina Weimert said the new phase is starting ahead of the peak shopping season. The first merchants have already begun processing Wero transactions.

Phased roll-out and new features

EPI has chosen a phased roll-out. This lets each merchant plan its migration according to its own schedule and that of its PSP. Commercial payments are due to gain additional payment management options in the second quarter of 2027. These will include subscriptions and pay-on-delivery.

Purchase protection is also in development. EPI plans to include it in Wero for Dutch consumers by January 2028. The phased approach gives merchants more time to integrate the feature.

EPI is developing the protection framework with input from merchants, unions, federations, PSPs, consumer associations, banks, and relevant institutions. Workshops planned for the fourth quarter of 2026 will help shape the solution. An announcement is expected in the first quarter of 2027.

The planned January 2028 launch of purchase protection falls after the target date for completing the migration at the end of 2027. Merchants and PSPs will need to take this sequence into account when planning their move to Wero.

Customer communication and security

Consumers do not need to take any action or sign up for a new service. Banks will inform customers through official channels. EPI stresses that neither Wero nor banks will ask for personal or banking information outside the secure banking environment. The message is intended to reduce fraud risks during the transition.

The European strategy

EPI says that a smooth transition, security, and trust have guided the migration from the start. The aim is to retain iDEAL’s simple user experience and established use cases while adding new functions and value-added services. The initiative is also intended to support European sovereignty in payments and create new opportunities for merchants.

With Wero now available through all participating banks in the Netherlands, the launch will be an important test of the migration model. It will show whether a domestic scheme can move to a pan-European platform without disrupting merchants or consumers.