Payment Data
SEPA Direct Debit
Definition
The SEPA direct debit scheme allows creditors to collect amounts directly from the debtor's account with their consent (mandate). On electronic invoices, SEPA direct debit can be specified as the payment means (BT-81, code 49); the mandate reference (BT-89) and creditor identifier (BT-90) are required. The scheme simplifies recurring payments and accelerates payment receipt.
Switch to German:SEPA-Lastschrift (DE)
Related terms
IBAN (International Bank Account Number)The IBAN (International Bank Account Number) is an internationally standardised account number (ISO 13616) that combines a sort code and account number in a uniform format. In Germany, the IBAN consists of 22 characters (DE + 2 check digits + 18-character BBAN). On electronic invoices, the payee's IBAN is specified in BT-84 when bank transfer is selected as the payment method.BIC (Bank Identifier Code)The BIC (Bank Identifier Code), also known as the SWIFT code, is an international bank identification code (ISO 9362) that uniquely identifies a bank or financial institution worldwide. It consists of 8 or 11 characters. On electronic invoices, the BIC can be provided in BT-86. Within the SEPA area, the BIC has not been mandatory for private individuals making IBAN transfers since 2016.Payment TermsPayment terms specify the period and conditions under which an invoice must be settled. In electronic invoices under EN 16931, payment terms are structured in BG-16 (Payment instructions), including the due date (BT-9), payment means (BT-81), discount/early payment terms (BG-29), and payment reference (BT-83). Clear payment terms are important for automated processing and timely payment.Business Term (BT)A Business Term (BT) is a single, semantically defined data element of the European standard EN 16931. Each Business Term has a unique number (e.g., BT-1 for the invoice number, BT-9 for the payment due date), a name, a definition, and cardinality rules. Business Terms are syntax-independent and are mapped to different XML elements in UBL and CII.