Everything
we get asked.

Most merchants are live within 24 hours. We need basic KYC (business registration, ID of the company representative), a bank account in your business name, and the URL of your store. Once approved, you get API keys and a merchant dashboard.

Business registration (Handelsregister, sole-trader certificate, etc.), proof of address, ID of the controlling person (Geschäftsführer / owner), and IBAN for payouts. Standard EU KYC — same checks every regulated payment provider runs.

No. Customers pay using their existing banking app — Sparkasse, Deutsche Bank, ING, N26, or any other bank that supports SEPA Instant. They just scan the QR code, confirm the amount, and the payment is complete.

Just your smartphone or tablet. No card reader, no terminal, no dongles. You can also print a static QR sticker for your counter for hands-free operation.

Instantly. SEPA Instant Credit Transfer settles in under 10 seconds, 24/7/365. The money lands directly in your bank account, not in a third-party wallet that you have to withdraw from later.

No. SEPA Instant Credit Transfers are irrevocable once confirmed. Unlike credit card payments, there is no chargeback mechanism. Once you see the green checkmark, the money is yours.

Refund a payment from the merchant dashboard or via API. You initiate the SEPA Instant credit back to the customer's IBAN — the money lands in their account within seconds. No fees for refunds.

Every bank that supports SEPA Instant Credit Transfer and EPC QR codes (GiroCode). In Germany, this covers Sparkasse, Volksbanken, Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, ING, DKB, N26, and many more — over 95% of German bank accounts.

Card payments involve multiple intermediaries — acquirer, card network, issuing bank — each taking a cut. Zahlo uses direct bank-to-bank transfers over SEPA Instant, eliminating all intermediary fees. That's why we charge just 1% + €0.25 per transaction.

When customers pay with the Zahlo app, they automatically earn cashback on every purchase. The cashback is funded by a fraction of the interchange fees the merchant saves by using Zahlo instead of card networks. Merchants choose how much to redirect (e.g. 0.3%) — they still save money overall.

No. Payment works with any banking app that supports SEPA Instant and GiroCode — which covers over 95% of German bank accounts. The Zahlo customer app is optional and adds cashback tracking, loyalty rewards, and repeat-visit incentives.

Yes. Zahlo offers e-commerce plugins for WooCommerce, Shopify, and Shopware. Customers select their bank at checkout, authenticate in their banking app, and the payment settles instantly. Same 1% + €0.25 fee, same zero-chargeback guarantee as in-store.

A payment link is a shareable URL with a pre-filled amount. You generate it from the Zahlo app and send it via WhatsApp, email, SMS, or any messaging channel. When the customer opens it, they see a payment page and can pay directly from their banking app.

No. Our plugins drop into Shopify, WooCommerce, and Shopware as a new payment method alongside what you already offer. Custom checkout? One REST API call from your server.

We're launching in Germany in 2026. Sign up now to be among the first merchants to accept payments without interchange fees.