Offer SEPA Direct Debit payments

Overview

SEPA Direct Debit lets eligible customers authorize Cleverbridge to collect a euro payment from their bank account. Cleverbridge supports three documented scenarios: a purchase, an automatic subscription renewal, and a manual subscription renewal.

 

This page explains SEPA Direct Debit flows from the client's perspective. You can share the Pay by SEPA Direct Debit guide with customers who need help authorizing or completing a payment.

SEPA Direct Debit at a glance

Capability	Cleverbridge support
Primary region	Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA).
Presentment currency	EUR.
Payment type	Bank-account collection authorized by a SEPA Direct Debit mandate.
One-time purchases	Supported with a single mandate.
Automatic renewals	Supported with a recurring mandate created during the initial subscription purchase.
Manual renewals	Supported with a single mandate authorized for the renewal amount.
Customer requirement	The customer provides an IBAN and the requested personal details.
Payment processing	The order can be confirmed before the bank debit and final settlement complete.
Return debits	A completed debit can later be returned. See SEPA mandates and return debits.

Why offer SEPA Direct Debit

SEPA Direct Debit provides a standardized euro bank-account payment method for eligible customers in the SEPA region. The customer authorizes the collection through a mandate, and recurring mandates can support future subscription charges.

Offering SEPA Direct Debit can help you:

• Let eligible customers pay directly from a euro bank account.
• Support purchases and subscription renewals without requiring card details.
• Reuse a recurring mandate for eligible automatic renewals.
• Apply a documented recovery flow when a debit is returned.

Cleverbridge flows

Purchase

Purchase

1. The customer selects SEPA Direct Debit, enters the IBAN and personal details, and authorizes the mandate.
2. Cleverbridge processes the order and changes the order status to Paid.
3. Cleverbridge displays the delivery details on the confirmation page.
4. The bank debit and transfer of funds to Cleverbridge are completed through the SEPA Direct Debit process.

Auto-renewal

Auto-renewal

1. During the initial purchase, the customer provides a recurring SEPA Direct Debit mandate for the subscription.
2. If the payment details change, the customer can use a Cleverbridge Change Payment Link before the renewal date.
3. On the renewal date, Cleverbridge submits the debit under the recurring mandate.
4. Cleverbridge sends the renewal details to the customer.

Manual renewal

Manual renewal

1. Cleverbridge sends a reminder email seven days before the subscription renewal date.
2. When the customer confirms the renewal, the customer provides a single mandate for the amount due.
3. On the renewal date, Cleverbridge submits the debit and provides the renewal details on the confirmation page.

For return-debit, mandate-cancellation, and refund considerations, see SEPA mandates and return debits.

For general scheme context, see the ECB SEPA overview.

Did you find this doc useful?