BankLint

Guides · Updated 2026-10-18

SEPA character set, names and identifiers

SEPA restricts text in pain.001 files: party names may have at most 70 characters (ISO 20022 allows 140), references and identifiers must use the SEPA Latin character set and must not start or end with "/" or contain "//", and characters outside the basic Latin set are only supported by agreement with the bank.

Names: 70 characters

  • SEPA-SCT-NAME-001BLOCKERInitiating party name longer than 70 characters. SEPA limits party names to 70 characters (ISO 20022 allows 140).
  • SEPA-SCT-NAME-002BLOCKERDebtor name longer than 70 characters. SEPA limits debtor and ultimate debtor names to 70 characters (ISO 20022 allows 140).
  • SEPA-SCT-NAME-003BLOCKERCreditor-side name longer than 70 characters. SEPA limits creditor, ultimate debtor and ultimate creditor names to 70 characters (ISO 20022 allows 140).

Identifiers and references

This covers MsgId, PmtInfId, InstrId, EndToEndId and creditor references. Generated references that use "/" as a separator are a common cause.

  • SEPA-SCT-ID-001BLOCKERReference or identifier violates SEPA character rules. References, identifications and identifiers must use the SEPA Latin character set, must not start or end with '/' and must not contain '//'.
  • SEPA-SCT-ID-002BLOCKERTransaction reference violates SEPA character rules. References, identifications and identifiers must use the SEPA Latin character set, must not start or end with '/' and must not contain '//'.

Characters outside the basic Latin set

Umlauts and other accented letters are a typical case: some banks convert them, others reject them. Check the character conversion of your export, or confirm with the bank that the extended set is agreed. Try the synthetic example.

  • SEPA-SCT-CHARSET-001WARNINGText outside the SEPA Latin character set. PSPs must support the Latin character set; characters beyond it are only supported under bilateral or multilateral agreements.

Questions

How long can a creditor name be in a SEPA pain.001?

70 characters. The ISO 20022 schema allows 140, but the SEPA guidelines limit party names to 70.

Can an EndToEndId contain a slash?

Yes, but it must not start or end with "/" and must not contain "//".

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