IMPay (International Mass Payments)

Definition

IMPay (International Mass Payments) is a procedure used by the Deutsche Bundesbank to process recurring cross-border Euro mass payments for public sector clients. It enables the standardised execution of non-SEPA-compliant euro transfers in EU/EEA countries and third countries, provided that the payment is based on a public sector contract.

Purpose and area of application

IMPay was developed specifically for processing bulk payments by public administrations and private entities operating under private law that perform public administration tasks. The procedure bridges the gap between the SEPA procedure, which is limited to the European payment area, and the need to efficiently process euro payments to countries outside the SEPA area.

IMPay is intended exclusively for payments based on a public contract. These include in particular:

• Payments from statutory pension and accident insurance schemes
• Pensions and supplementary pensions
• Compensation payment
• Support payments
• Child benefit payments abroad
• In special cases, one-off payments

Technical connection

IMPay transfers are submitted electronically via EBICS or FileAct, (from November 2025) exclusively in ISO 20022 XML format (pain.001, camt.055; error: pain.002).

The Bundesbank provides detailed technical specifications and procedural rules that are binding for all participants.

Transactions are processed via the Bundesbank’s correspondent banking network, which comprises approximately 65 foreign currency accounts.

Variants: HBV-IMPay and CAM-IMPay

The Deutsche Bundesbank offers IMPay in two versions:

HBV-IMPay (Hausbankverfahren-IMPay)
This version is integrated into the Bundesbank’s regular house bank procedure (Hausbankverfahren – HBV) and is aimed at other account holders who already have an account with the Bundesbank. Processing is standardised via the HBV infrastructure.

CAM-IMPay (Customer Access Mechanism-IMPay)
CAM-IMPay offers an extended group of participants access to the IMPay functionality, even if they are not direct account holders at the Bundesbank. Access is provided via a defined customer access mechanism.

Rules of procedure

Participation in IMPay is subject to the ‘Procedural rules of the Deutsche Bundesbank for the settlement of cross-border euro retail payments via HBV-IMPay’ and the ‘Procedural rules for CAM-IMPay’. These documents set out binding rules for the submission, processing and settlement of payments and the technical requirements for participants. It is possible to return payments that have already been executed in accordance with defined rules.

Source: Deutsche Bundesbank