IBAN

What does IBAN mean?

IBAN, which stands for International Bank Account Number, is an internationally agreed format for bank account numbers. It replaces the former national account number (xxx-xxxxxxx-xx).

What is IBAN used for?

IBAN was created to standardise international transactions in the SEPA zone and make them run more smoothly. The structure of the IBAN contains all the information needed for payments from one bank to another. As a result, for a bank transfer to another IBAN account number at home or abroad, it is not necessary to specify to which country or which bank the amount should be transferred. The number contains the necessary information about the country, the bank branch, the  and some check digits that confirm the validity of the number. Since February 2014, IBAN has been mandatory for bank transactions in the countries of the eurozone. For transactions outside this zone, a BIC code is often still required.

What does an IBAN look like?

In Belgium, an IBAN consists of 16 characters:

• 2 letters as country code (BE)
• 2 check digits
• the account number

An IBAN can contain up to 34 characters, depending on the country. Examples:

  
An IBAN is usually written in groups of four characters, separated by spaces. When it is transmitted digitally, the spaces disappear.

Where can I find my IBAN?

Your IBAN number is on your bank card. If you still have a card with an old national account number, you can find the IBAN on your account statements. A simple IBAN converter converts a national account number into an IBAN.