How do I request a refund for a SEPA Direct Debit?
Hey bunqer 🌈
If a SEPA Direct Debit was taken from your account and you want the money back, you can request a refund in a few taps right in your bunq app. Refunds aren’t instant—once you request it, we start the process with the merchant through the SEPA scheme and keep you updated with push notifications.
How to request a Direct Debit refund in the bunq app
Follow these steps to request your refund:
Go to your Home tab.
Tap the Bank Account the direct debit was taken from.
Open the specific direct debit transaction.
Tap Request a Chargeback.
Confirm your request.
You’ll get push notifications with updates on your refund status. If you’re unsure whether a payment is a direct debit, check the payment details in the app for the “Direct Debit” label, More information can be found here.
When can I request a refund?
SEPA rules set clear timelines for direct debit refunds. Here’s what to expect:
Standard refund (SEPA Core Direct Debit)
Timeframe: Within 56 days (8 weeks)
Conditions: You can request a refund without giving a reason during this period.
Unauthorized transaction
Timeframe: Up to 13 months
Conditions: If the debit was taken without a valid mandate, you can request a refund within 13 months. Use the same steps above and submit your request as soon as you notice it.
Tip: Not sure if your debit was unauthorized? Check your mandate or any agreement you have with the merchant.
When is a refund not possible?
Some direct debits aren’t refundable through the SEPA scheme:
Business-to-Business (B2B) Direct Debits
These are not eligible for refunds via SEPA. Contact the merchant directly to resolve it and ask them to transfer the money back.
Government and tax payments
It’s not possible to refund direct debits made to government or tax authorities. Please contact the relevant authority to resolve any issues.
Important: Only the legal owner of the Bank Account can request a direct debit refund.
What happens after I request a refund?
Once you confirm your request in the app:
We signal the merchant (through their bank) that you’ve requested the funds back.
Processing time: It usually takes up to 2 working days.
Notifications: We’ll notify you when we receive the money back from the merchant. You’ll see updates via push notifications and in the payment details.
If your request can’t be processed, we’ll let you know and guide you on next steps.
Why isn’t my refund instant?
Direct debit refunds are handled by the SEPA scheme. That means:
Your request triggers a formal message to the merchant’s bank.
The merchant needs to return the money through the system.
This takes time, so you won’t see the money immediately after you tap Request a Chargeback.
You’ll receive a push notification as soon as there’s progress. For timelines, see What happens after I request a refund above.
How do I request a refund for a SEPA Direct Debit?
Hey bunqer 🌈
If a SEPA Direct Debit was taken from your account and you want the money back, you can request a refund in a few taps right in your bunq app. Refunds aren’t instant—once you request it, we start the process with the merchant through the SEPA scheme and keep you updated with push notifications.
How to request a Direct Debit refund in the bunq app
Follow these steps to request your refund:
Go to your Home tab.
Tap the Bank Account the direct debit was taken from.
Open the specific direct debit transaction.
Tap Request a Chargeback.
Confirm your request.
You’ll get push notifications with updates on your refund status. If you’re unsure whether a payment is a direct debit, check the payment details in the app for the “Direct Debit” label, More information can be found here.
When can I request a refund?
SEPA rules set clear timelines for direct debit refunds. Here’s what to expect:
Standard refund (SEPA Core Direct Debit)
Timeframe: Within 56 days (8 weeks)
Conditions: You can request a refund without giving a reason during this period.
Unauthorized transaction
Timeframe: Up to 13 months
Conditions: If the debit was taken without a valid mandate, you can request a refund within 13 months. Use the same steps above and submit your request as soon as you notice it.
Tip: Not sure if your debit was unauthorized? Check your mandate or any agreement you have with the merchant.
When is a refund not possible?
Some direct debits aren’t refundable through the SEPA scheme:
Business-to-Business (B2B) Direct Debits
These are not eligible for refunds via SEPA. Contact the merchant directly to resolve it and ask them to transfer the money back.
Government and tax payments
It’s not possible to refund direct debits made to government or tax authorities. Please contact the relevant authority to resolve any issues.
Important: Only the legal owner of the Bank Account can request a direct debit refund.
What happens after I request a refund?
Once you confirm your request in the app:
We signal the merchant (through their bank) that you’ve requested the funds back.
Processing time: It usually takes up to 2 working days.
Notifications: We’ll notify you when we receive the money back from the merchant. You’ll see updates via push notifications and in the payment details.
If your request can’t be processed, we’ll let you know and guide you on next steps.
Why isn’t my refund instant?
Direct debit refunds are handled by the SEPA scheme. That means:
Your request triggers a formal message to the merchant’s bank.
The merchant needs to return the money through the system.
This takes time, so you won’t see the money immediately after you tap Request a Chargeback.
You’ll receive a push notification as soon as there’s progress. For timelines, see What happens after I request a refund above.
How do I request a refund for a SEPA Direct Debit?
Hey bunqer 🌈
If a SEPA Direct Debit was taken from your account and you want the money back, you can request a refund in a few taps right in your bunq app. Refunds aren’t instant—once you request it, we start the process with the merchant through the SEPA scheme and keep you updated with push notifications.
How to request a Direct Debit refund in the bunq app
Follow these steps to request your refund:
Go to your Home tab.
Tap the Bank Account the direct debit was taken from.
Open the specific direct debit transaction.
Tap Request a Chargeback.
Confirm your request.
You’ll get push notifications with updates on your refund status. If you’re unsure whether a payment is a direct debit, check the payment details in the app for the “Direct Debit” label, More information can be found here.
When can I request a refund?
SEPA rules set clear timelines for direct debit refunds. Here’s what to expect:
Standard refund (SEPA Core Direct Debit)
Timeframe: Within 56 days (8 weeks)
Conditions: You can request a refund without giving a reason during this period.
Unauthorized transaction
Timeframe: Up to 13 months
Conditions: If the debit was taken without a valid mandate, you can request a refund within 13 months. Use the same steps above and submit your request as soon as you notice it.
Tip: Not sure if your debit was unauthorized? Check your mandate or any agreement you have with the merchant.
When is a refund not possible?
Some direct debits aren’t refundable through the SEPA scheme:
Business-to-Business (B2B) Direct Debits
These are not eligible for refunds via SEPA. Contact the merchant directly to resolve it and ask them to transfer the money back.
Government and tax payments
It’s not possible to refund direct debits made to government or tax authorities. Please contact the relevant authority to resolve any issues.
Important: Only the legal owner of the Bank Account can request a direct debit refund.
What happens after I request a refund?
Once you confirm your request in the app:
We signal the merchant (through their bank) that you’ve requested the funds back.
Processing time: It usually takes up to 2 working days.
Notifications: We’ll notify you when we receive the money back from the merchant. You’ll see updates via push notifications and in the payment details.
If your request can’t be processed, we’ll let you know and guide you on next steps.
Why isn’t my refund instant?
Direct debit refunds are handled by the SEPA scheme. That means:
Your request triggers a formal message to the merchant’s bank.
The merchant needs to return the money through the system.
This takes time, so you won’t see the money immediately after you tap Request a Chargeback.
You’ll receive a push notification as soon as there’s progress. For timelines, see What happens after I request a refund above.