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ING is extending its support for Wero in Germany by enabling customers to use the European payment scheme for online shopping, marking an important step in the evolution of the continent’s account-to-account payments ambitions.
ING Expands Wero to Online Payments in Germany
The Dutch bank, which serves around 10 million customers in Germany, has integrated Wero into its app since August 2025 for real-time person-to-person transfers.
The latest expansion means German customers can now use Wero as a checkout option at participating online retailers, paying directly from their current account without relying on intermediary wallets or international card schemes.
Wero, operated by the European Payments Initiative, is designed to create an independent European payments infrastructure capable of reducing the region’s reliance on Visa and Mastercard. Backed by 16 leading banks and payment service providers, the scheme has become a prominent part of Europe’s broader payments sovereignty agenda.
Retail Acceptance Begins to Build
ING customers can already use Wero for online purchases at Eventim, with IKEA Germany and Lidl’s online shop expected to follow. The addition of major retail brands will be critical if Wero is to move beyond bank-led distribution and become a recognised consumer payment method.
Burcu Civelek Yüce, head of private individuals at ING Germany, said Wero gives customers greater freedom of choice in everyday payments. Around 600,000 ING customers in Germany have already activated Wero for person-to-person payments, representing approximately 15% of the bank’s current account base.
To support adoption, ING has simplified onboarding by incorporating Wero’s product terms into its general current account terms and conditions. This means customers automatically consent to Wero when opening an account, accelerating activation.
Europe’s Payments Alternative Moves Beyond P2P
EPI chief executive Martina Weimart said ING’s move builds on Wero’s initial person-to-person launch and follows the introduction of online payments in Belgium. France is expected to follow within months, while national solutions in Luxembourg and the Netherlands will migrate to Wero.
The next major test will be point-of-sale acceptance, as Wero seeks to establish itself not merely as a bank transfer tool, but as a credible European alternative for everyday digital and in-store payments.
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