Interoperability Index cover: Cross-Border Payments in Europe with a Europe map and euro symbols.

Report

Regional Interoperability Spotlight: Cross-Border Payments in Europe

This report from Thunes and Juniper Research navigates Europe’s cross-border interoperability paradox. Uncover why seamless intra-European payments have created an expectation gap for global money transfers, and how institutions can bridge the final mile.

Regional Interoperability Spotlight: Cross-Border Payments in Europe

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What’s inside?

This report highlights how European nations dominate top spots in our Interoperability Index globally thanks to SEPA and projects like Wero, even as international transfers outside the euro area continue to face friction and elevated costs. Featured in our global series created with Juniper Research, this regional spotlight analyses consumer expectations across major corridors like the UK and Germany, detailing how financial institutions and fintechs can align their infrastructure with shifting user behaviours:

  • The Expectation Gap: Fast domestic transfers have raised expectations, yet only 23% of recipients in key European markets receive international funds instantly.
  • Speed Over Cost: Instant delivery is cited as the single most critical provider feature by senders in the UK (48%) and Germany (39%), far outranking lower pricing.
  • Stablecoin Awareness Lags: Despite institutional bank momentum behind euro stablecoins, 59% of European consumers remain unfamiliar with them, pointing to backend settlement as the primary adoption path.
  • Segmented Preferences: From Gen Z’s preference for digital banks to gig workers’ reliance on mobile money connections for overseas payouts, localised channels are essential for last-mile delivery.
Table of contents for a document with green headings and page numbers, including sections like Cross-Border Payments in Europe and The Interoperability Index Full Version. Green map of Europe inside a gradient circle with floating abstract shapes, serving as the hero image for the regional interoperability report header. Section 'Ranking' with a green-ranked table listing countries, regional/global ranks, and overall scores (e.g., Denmark 1/1, 8.8) for the European interoperability index report. Informational page header: 'Regional Spotlight: European Interoperability Index Report' with a rounded white text panel of dense paragraphs and a green city skyline below. Table titled 'Ranking Deep Dive' showing European countries ranked by overall score with detailed sub-scores in Economic Health, Digital Infrastructure Access, Financial Inclusion, Cross-Border Connectivity, and Market Dynamics & Progress; Denmark leads, followed by Norway, Spain, and others.