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German neobank N26 has integrated Wero, the European Payments Initiative’s instant payment service, allowing customers in Germany and France to transfer money without needing a recipient’s IBAN details. The integration represents a strategic expansion of N26’s payment capabilities, streamlining the process and reducing errors by eliminating the need for manual input of lengthy bank account numbers.
Instant payments without bank details
Wero, launched in Germany earlier this year, lets users send funds using just a phone number, email address, or QR code. The service, developed by a consortium of 16 banks, now operates in seven European countries, including France, Belgium, Austria, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.
The underlying technology of Wero is built on SEPA Instant, the pan-European payment system that enables real-time transfers across participating banks. According to the European Payments Initiative (EPI), transfers via Wero arrive in the recipient’s account in under 10 seconds, regardless of the time of day.
The expansion of N26’s IBAN-free transfer feature through Wero is particularly significant for users who frequently send money to contacts outside the neobank’s ecosystem. Previously, N26 customers could only make IBAN-free transfers to other N26 account holders. With Wero, this functionality now extends to any user whose bank is part of the Wero network, “with no bank details or separate app required,” EPI notes.
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Leadership changes at N26
The move comes as N26 undergoes a leadership transition. Co-founder Valentin Stalf stepped down as co-CEO in August 2025, prompting a series of executive changes. Stalf, who co-founded N26 in 2013 alongside Maximilian Tayenthal, played a key role in shaping the neobank’s early growth.
Following Stalf’s exit, Marcus Mosen, chairman of the supervisory board, initially took over the role before Mike Dargan was named sole CEO, set to assume the position in April 2026. Other notable appointments in the past year have included Jochen Klöpper as chief risk officer, Aytac Aydin as chief operating officer, Daniel Lappas as chief product and business officer, Marcin Pakulnicki as chief technology officer, and Nathalie Picquot as chief growth and marketing officer.
Wero’s adoption by N26 reflects a broader push among European banks to simplify payments. The service’s success may hinge on whether users outside N26’s customer base adopt it. For now, the integration marks one of the first major steps under N26’s new leadership, signaling a focus on seamless, real-time transactions as the neobank handles a competitive market.
