Article facts
| Field | Visible value |
|---|---|
| What it is | An identifier linked to an underlying account arrangement |
| Primary purpose | Identifying and reconciling incoming payments |
| Can be assigned to | Customer, acquiring provider, website, store, legal entity, project, market, payment flow |
| Separate bank account | Not necessarily |
| Outgoing payments | Do not assume; depends on the approved configuration |
| Number and currencies | Determined during onboarding |
| Last reviewed | 2026-09-09 |
How it works
Several virtual IBANs can sit over one underlying account arrangement. A payment arriving at a given identifier can then be associated with the source it was assigned to, without the payer needing to add a reference or the finance team matching by amount and date.
What it can be assigned to
- a customer;
- an acquiring provider;
- a website;
- a physical store;
- a legal entity;
- a project;
- a geographical market;
- a payment flow.
What not to assume
- Not a separate bank account. Legal ownership, fund treatment and permitted use are determined by the underlying arrangement and the applicable terms.
- Not necessarily able to send. A virtual IBAN is commonly used to identify incoming payments. Outgoing capability depends on the approved configuration. Use the payment instructions shown in your account.
- Not automatically accepted by every payer. An acquiring provider or platform can apply its own beneficiary and account-detail requirements.
- Not unlimited in number. How many you receive, in which currencies and for which uses, is set during onboarding.
If a payer uses the wrong identifier
The payment may be allocated to the wrong internal flow, held for investigation, returned or need manual reconciliation. Keep a controlled mapping of each identifier to its intended use, and verify the identifier before sharing it.
Frequently asked questions
Is a virtual IBAN a separate bank account? Not necessarily. It is an identifier linked to an underlying account arrangement.
Can a merchant use separate virtual IBANs for different acquirers? This may be available depending on the approved configuration.
Does every customer receive virtual IBANs? No. Availability and quantity are determined during onboarding.
Which currencies can they support? The supported currencies are stated in the individual offer.
Can identifiers be changed or removed? Yes, according to the applicable terms and account configuration.
This article is explanatory. The individual offer and applicable agreements prevail if they differ from it.