SEPA File Checker
Menu

SEPA XML versions: which one your file has and how to switch

Last updated: 27 October 2026

SEPA files exist in several versions of the ISO 20022 standard. This page explains how to find the version of your file, what changed in the current versions pain.008.001.08 and pain.001.001.09, and how to switch.

At a glance

  • Direct debit files are pain.008 files, credit transfer files pain.001. The 2009 versions are pain.008.001.02 and pain.001.001.03; the current 2019 versions are pain.008.001.08 and pain.001.001.09.
  • Many banks still accept the 2009 versions. German banks had planned to stop accepting them from 14 November 2026 but have postponed this; no new date has been set.
  • Germany also used national formats, pain.008.003.02 and pain.001.003.03. German banks have not been required to accept them since 20 November 2022.
  • Our repair converts all older files to the current version.

Which version does your file have?

Open the XML file in a text editor, for example Notepad on Windows. The version is in the namespace after xmlns, usually on the second line:

2009 version

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<Document xmlns="urn:iso:std:iso:20022:tech:xsd:pain.008.001.02">
  <CstmrDrctDbtInitn>
    <GrpHdr>
      <MsgId>FEES-2026-11</MsgId>

Current version

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<Document xmlns="urn:iso:std:iso:20022:tech:xsd:pain.008.001.08">
  <CstmrDrctDbtInitn>
    <GrpHdr>
      <MsgId>FEES-2026-11</MsgId>

If it says pain.008.003.02 or pain.001.003.03, your file uses an old German format.

The versions at a glance

SEPA XML versions and their status
Direct debitCredit transferOriginStatus (27 October 2026)
pain.008.001.02pain.001.001.03ISO 20022 version of 2009Still accepted by many banks; in Germany the planned phase-out has been postponed
pain.008.001.08pain.001.001.09ISO 20022 version of 2019Current version, no end date
pain.008.003.02pain.001.003.03German national format (DK version 2.7)Banks have not been required to accept it since 20 November 2022

Each bank decides which versions it accepts for files from its customers. Check your bank's specifications or ask your bank.

What changes in the new version

A direct debit stays the same in substance: creditor identifier, mandate, amount and collection date are still in the file. Mainly some field names and the options for addresses have changed.

  • Namespace. The version in the file header is pain.008.001.08 or pain.001.001.09.
  • Bank identifier. The field BIC is now called BICFI.
  • Execution date for credit transfers. The date is in an additional sub-field Dt.
  • Addresses. There are more fields for the structured address, for example for building, floor or post box. More on the page Structured address.

Bank identifier before

<CdtrAgt>
  <FinInstnId>
    <BIC>COBADEFFXXX</BIC>
  </FinInstnId>
</CdtrAgt>

Bank identifier now

<CdtrAgt>
  <FinInstnId>
    <BICFI>COBADEFFXXX</BICFI>
  </FinInstnId>
</CdtrAgt>

Execution date before (pain.001.001.03)

<ReqdExctnDt>2026-11-02</ReqdExctnDt>

Execution date now (pain.001.001.09)

<ReqdExctnDt>
  <Dt>2026-11-02</Dt>
</ReqdExctnDt>

How to switch

  1. Ask the supplier of your software whether it can create pain.008.001.08 and pain.001.001.09 and install an update if needed. In some programs you select the version in the settings for the SEPA export.
  2. Check the first file in the new version before you upload it. If in doubt, ask your bank which versions it accepts.
  3. If your software cannot switch yet, have individual files converted by us: €14.95 excl. VAT per file, or unlimited with the annual licence. This works for pain.008.001.02 and pain.001.001.03, and for the old German formats pain.008.003.02 and pain.001.003.03. Counts, amounts and mandates stay the same; the new file is validated against the ISO 20022 XML schema.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to switch now?

In most cases, not yet: many banks still accept the 2009 versions pain.008.001.02 and pain.001.001.03. Switching is still advisable, because banks will stop accepting them at some point. In Germany, the planned phase-out on 14 November 2026 has been postponed; check your own bank's plans. Files in the old German formats pain.008.003.02 and pain.001.003.03 should be converted now.

My bank says the format is not supported. What now?

Look up the version of your file (see above) or upload it to the free check. If it is an older version, update your software or have the file converted.

Does this also apply to credit transfers?

Yes. For credit transfers pain.001.001.03 is the 2009 version and pain.001.001.09 the current version.

Do amounts or mandates change when a file is converted?

No. Counts, amounts, mandate references and dates stay the same. What changes is the version, the fields that have a different name in the new version, such as BIC to BICFI, and, depending on your choice, the addresses. Every change is listed in the change report.

Sources