What time do bank transfers arrive?

Published on 2026-01-04 · Updated on 2026-05-22

What time do bank transfers arrive?

It depends on the type. SEPA has two regimes:

SCT Inst (instant)

Seconds between SEPA accounts with SCT Inst enabled.
24/7/365: evenings, nights, weekends and bank holidays.
Per-operation cap: €100,000.

Standard SCT

If your bank submits before the cut-off (typically 14:00-15:00, bank-dependent), the funds arrive the same business day.
After the cut-off, it lands D+1 business day.
Weekends and bank holidays don’t count.

Conclusion

For immediacy and after-hours, use SCT Inst. For batch volumes with a deadline, a standard SCT is fine and cheaper.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I submit on a Saturday?: If it's SCT Inst, it arrives in seconds. If standard, it processes the next business day.
Why do transfers cleared before cut-off only appear the next day?: The sending bank may settle immediately but the receiving bank can value the entry next day. Confirm with the beneficiary's bank.
When is same-day payment guaranteed?: Only with SCT Inst. Anything else depends on cut-offs, clearing systems and internal policies.

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