Customers of the direct bank ING can now pay in online shops via their smartphones with the European payment service Wero. Previously, users of the ING app were limited to the P2P function of Wero. With this, they can send and receive money to and from other Wero users in a private setting using a linked mobile number or email address. The money flows via a SEPA instant transfer.
With this step, ING joins other credit institutions such as the Sparkassen, the Volks- und Raiffeisenbanken and a number of other cooperative banks, as well as Postbank and Deutsche Bank. With a current account at these financial institutions, it has been possible for several months to pay for purchases via desktop or mobile browser or in shopping apps via smartphone – provided the shop offers Wero as a payment method.
According to the operating company European Payments Initiative (EPI), a consortium of German, French, Belgian, and Dutch banks and savings banks, 600 merchants in Germany and Belgium currently do so. These include the event ticket service provider Eventim and the Globus DIY store. Customers are generally protected by buyer protection for Wero payments.
Expansion Plans
Other major retail chains such as Lidl, Mediamarkt, Rossmann, Cewe, Decathlon, and Hornbach are preparing to launch, as are many small shops. By the end of 2026, e-commerce with Wero is also expected to be introduced by many French and the first Dutch retailers. In addition, Wero is announced for checkouts, with static QR codes this also includes farm shops or commercial flea market vendors. The functionality of Wero is to be expanded through payments for subscriptions, the optional integration of bonus point programs, and "Pay Later".
