Instant transfers at the same price as ordinary ones and obligation for all banks to receive them. From 9 January, the new European rules come into force which revise the payments directive with the aim of facilitating access for consumers and businesses to an instrument hitherto burdened by an additional cost (sometimes a fixed sum, other times a fixed plus percentage with an outlay that can reach over 2 euros) and is not always widespread. Furthermore, EU regulations provide for a further step on 9 October 2025: the obligation for banks not only to receive them but also to offer the instant transfer service to their customers to allow for further expansion.
In fact, an immediate bank transfer can be made at any time of day or night and 365 days a year whereas an ordinary one is limited to a few hours on weekdays. In this way it can be used for purchases in a shop and allows businesses to have money available immediately. In the future, instant cards will be able to replace parts of cash and checks and compete with payment cards.
