How do SEPA direct debits work at Holvi?

SEPA Direct Debits (SDD) are an automated payment method that let a trusted company (the "biller") withdraw funds directly from your Holvi IBAN account. Instead of paying manually, you authorise the biller to debit your account.

It’s commonly used for utility bills, subscriptions, insurance, and taxes.

To set up, the biller provides a mandate (an authorisation form you approve) allowing them to debit your account. Direct debits must be enabled manually on your Holvi account by our support team – keep reading to learn more.

Jump to section

• How to enable direct debits in Holvi
• Which SEPA Direct Debits does Holvi support?
• How to request a refund for a direct debit
  • Authorised payments
  • Unauthorised payments
• How to disable direct debits in Holvi
• FAQ – Frequently asked questions

Related article: What are SEPA payments and how do they work?

How to enable direct debits in Holvi

• To activate SEPA Core Direct Debits, the creator (main user) must contact our support team in writing.
• Direct debits are enabled separately for each IBAN — please specify which IBAN your request concerns.
• Once enabled, you can start giving mandates to trusted companies.
   

Which types of direct debits does Holvi support?

There are two main SEPA Direct Debit schemes. It’s important to know which one applies to your Holvi account:

✅ Supported: SEPA Core Direct Debits

Holvi supports SEPA Core Direct Debits.

• Standard scheme used across Europe.
• Works between businesses, or between a business and an individual.
• This is the type most billers use (subscriptions, utilities, taxes, etc.).

❌ Not supported: SEPA B2B Direct Debits

Holvi does not support SEPA B2B Direct Debits.

• Used only for payments between two registered businesses.
• Less common, with stricter rules.

If a biller requests a B2B Direct Debit, let them know your Holvi account only supports SEPA Core and ask them to adjust the mandate accordingly.
 

How to request a refund for a direct debit

SEPA Core Direct Debits offer a strong refund policy, varying by payment authorisation.

Authorised payments — within 8 weeks

If you authorised the payment but want a refund (e.g. wrong amount or cancelled service):

• You have 8 weeks from the payment date to request a refund.
• No reason is needed.
• Refunds are usually credited within 10 business days.
• Refunds are not possible after 8 weeks.

Unauthorised payments — within 13 months

If a payment was taken without your consent (no valid mandate):

• You have 13 months from the payment date to request a refund.
• No reason needed if requested within 8 weeks.
• After 8 weeks, supported evidence (e.g. proof of contract termination) is required.
• Refunds are not possible after 13 months.

👉 Contact our support team to request a refund
 

How to disable direct debits in Holvi

To disable direct debits, please contact us in writing, specifying the relevant IBAN.

Note that disabling direct debits does not cancel the SEPA Direct Debit mandate or your contract with the biller. The mandate remains valid, and the biller will view rejected charges as missed payments, not service cancellations.

To cancel a mandate permanently, contact the biller directly to revoke the authorisation.

 

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I have insufficient funds for a direct debit?

If your account balance is too low, the payment will fail immediately. We cannot automatically retry the payment after you add funds to your account.

• You will need to contact the biller to arrange a new payment or ask them to re-initiate the direct debit.

Can I use direct debits internationally?

Yes — SEPA Direct Debits work across all countries in the SEPA area.

🔗 Which countries are in the SEPA zone?

How do I cancel a direct debit mandate?

To cancel your permission for a company to take payments, you should contact the biller directly.