North Macedonia joined the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) in March 2025 – a milestone on the country’s European path. Thanks to substantial legal and technical alignment, payment service providers can now participate in SEPA schemes, with the system expected to go live by October 2025.
The most tangible benefit: lower fees for cross-border payments.
According to the German Economic Team, annual savings could reach EUR 61.8 million – EUR 58.0 million in foreign trade payments and EUR 3.8 million in remittance transfers.
Beyond the numbers, SEPA membership means:
- More transparency and competition among payment service providers
- Lower domestic transaction costs for businesses and consumers
- Stronger alignment with EU rules and improved access to funds under the EU Growth Plan
A clear win for companies, households, and the country’s EU integration process. 🚀
📑 Full analysis by the German Economic Team available here.