BezahlCode = GiroCode: Same Standard, Different Name
Anyone searching for a BezahlCode generator is essentially looking for the same thing as a GiroCode generator – because BezahlCode and GiroCode are technically identical. Both refer to a standardised QR code for SEPA transfers built according to the EPC069-12 standard of the European Payments Council.
The term BezahlCode originated in Germany as an early marketing name for this type of QR code. Banks and payment service providers used it to offer their customers a simple way to share transfer data via QR code. As European-wide standardisation progressed, the term GiroCode established itself as the official name.
When Did BezahlCode Become GiroCode?
In 2018, the European Payments Council (EPC) officially standardised the format under the name GiroCode. The technical specification EPC069-12 defined how SEPA payment data must be encoded in a QR code – including IBAN, recipient name, optional amount and payment reference.
The renaming was part of the broader initiative to harmonise SEPA payments across Europe. Since then, GiroCode has been the official term across the EU and all 36 SEPA countries. However, in German banking apps, the term BezahlCode is still frequently found in help documentation – for historical reasons, both terms continue to be used and recognised.
A QR code generated with this generator is 100% compliant with the EPC069-12 standard and works regardless of whether it is called BezahlCode or GiroCode.
Banking Apps That Support BezahlCode/GiroCode
All major German banks support the BezahlCode/GiroCode standard in their mobile apps. Since it is the same QR code, a generated QR code works with all of the following apps:
- Sparkasse
- ING
- DKB
- Volksbank
- Commerzbank
- Deutsche Bank
- N26
- Postbank
- Comdirect
- Targobank
Austrian banks (e.g. Erste Bank, Raiffeisen, BAWAG), Swiss banks and all other banks in the SEPA area also support this standard. In total, over 36 European countries are compatible.
FAQ
What is the difference between BezahlCode and GiroCode?
There is no technical difference. BezahlCode is the older German name for the same SEPA QR code. Since 2018, the term GiroCode has been used as the official name by the European Payments Council (EPC). Both terms describe exactly the same format following the EPC069-12 standard.
Can I still use a BezahlCode?
Yes, absolutely. Since BezahlCode and GiroCode are technically identical and both follow the EPC069-12 standard, a BezahlCode works exactly like a GiroCode. All banking apps that support GiroCodes also recognise BezahlCodes – the QR code itself contains no label.
Which apps support BezahlCode/GiroCode?
All major German banking apps support BezahlCode/GiroCode: Sparkasse, ING, DKB, Volksbank, Commerzbank, Deutsche Bank, N26, Postbank, Comdirect and Targobank. Since the QR code is based on the European EPC standard, it works in all 36 SEPA countries.