IRIS payments® – powered by DIAS – is an interbank account-to-account money transfer service that follows the rules of the European SEPA Instant Credit Transfer scheme.
The IRIS service:
Is supported by DIAS S.A.
Is offered by Payment Service Providers (PSPs) who are members of DIAS.
With IRIS payments®, you can:
Transfer up to €2,000 per day via your mobile device (up to €1.000 to a private individual & up to €1.000 to freelancers / sole proprietors), without needing the beneficiary’s IBAN. All you need is the mobile number if sending to a private individual; or the tax ID (AFM) / mobile number if sending to a freelancer / sole proprietor.
Receive up to €1.000 per day as a private individual without the sender needing your IBAN. They only need to know your mobile number.
Receive payments as a freelancer or sole proprietor with no limit.
Make online purchases from e‑shops (and soon in physical stores) by directly debiting your bank account. In that case, there is no transaction limit.
For personal use (to send and receive funds): register through your bank’s mobile banking app, choose to activate IRIS, and select the bank account into which you want to receive payments.
For freelancers / sole proprietors: ask your bank about available activation methods (web banking or mobile banking). Important: the account you register for receiving payments in this case must be registered in the professional accounts registry of the Greek tax authority (AADE).
For IRIS payments® on a site/app (and soon in physical stores), activation is not necessary. Anyone who has an active mobile banking app or internet banking with any participating bank can make the payment.
Yes. Via mobile banking you can send up to €2,000 per day in total: €1.000 for personal use and €1.000 for professional use (to freelancers / sole proprietors).
For IRIS Commerce (payments via site/app, and physical stores), there is no transaction limit, and no registration/activation is required.
Yes. However, you will have one primary bank- the bank through which you registered - via which you can send and receive. With other participating banks, you can only send money.
Yes. Using your mobile banking app, you can change the account at any time via the settings of the app.
The P2P (Person‑to‑Person: money transfer between private individuals) & P2Pro (Person‑to‑Professionals: to freelancers / sole proprietors) services are already supported by:
Alpha Bank, National Bank of Greece, Eurobank, Piraeus Bank, Cooperative Bank of Epirus, Vivabank, Optima Bank, Credia Bank, Snappi, Cooperative Bank of Thessaly, Cooperative Bank of Karditsa, and Cooperative Bank of Chania.
The IRIS Commerce service (online/app payments, and physical stores) is currently provided by:
Alpha Bank, Piraeus Bank, National Bank of Greece, Eurobank, Credia Bank, Optima Bank, Vivabank & Cooperative Bank of Chania.
You can make payments to freelancers / sole proprietors, e‑shops & physical stores, or for bills by following this process:
In your mobile banking app, select: IRIS payments > With QR code.
The camera on your phone opens; you scan the QR code and approve the payment.
You can choose which account to debit, and confirm the transaction using biometric authentication.
IRIS P2P is a service that allows private individuals to make instant money transfers to one another for personal use (not for business purpose). The transfers are secure and instant when using banks that participate in the IRIS service.
Open your bank app and select IRIS payments®.
Without needing an account number or IBAN, you can send up to €1.000 per day to a friend who has also activated IRIS payments®, either by selecting their mobile number from your contacts or by entering it manually.
No. The IRIS payments® service for personal (P2P) use is provided free of charge.
IRIS services are offered by DIAS through the participating banks or Payment Service Providers. If there is an error in an IRIS P2P transaction, please contact your bank to submit a request concerning the transaction. Alternatively, you can contact the mobile number to which you mistakenly sent the money and ask for it to be returned via IRIS.
Amounts transferred between private individuals for sharing costs (for example, when splitting a restaurant or café bill) are not considered income.
Only income defined by applicable tax law - such as from employment or provision of services - is taxable.
Example: if a friend covers the bill at a meal and the others send their share via IRIS, those transfers are not taxed. However, it is helpful to include a note/purpose for the transaction (e.g. “meal”, “coffee”, “gift”) and to keep the related receipt.
The IRIS P2P service is treated for tax purposes in the same way as any standard account-to-account credit transfer and does not alter the tax obligations of users. The use of IRIS does not entail any differentiation in the approach of the tax authorities. Consequently, individuals using this payment method are required to exercise the same level of diligence in complying with their tax obligations as they would when transferring funds through traditional IBAN-to-IBAN bank transfers.
In practice, small-value transfers between first-degree relatives - such as pocket money from a parent to a child - are traditionally recognised as non-taxable transfers, with tax authorities showing greater tolerance given the nature and limited amount of such transfers. However, the final assessment of each case always rests with the tax authority, based on the actual facts and circumstances.
IRIS P2Pro allows users to make direct payments to sole proprietors or freelancers in the context of their professional services. Freelancers receive payments from clients instantly and easily. Clients can pay knowing only the mobile number or tax ID (AFM) of the freelancer, without needing the IBAN. To facilitate payments further, the freelancer may provide those details in static IRIS QR form, which the client scans via their mobile banking app.
The payment reception is completed in seconds, and the professional is credited and immediately notified.
You can pay using their tax ID (AFM) or mobile number, or by scanning their static IRIS QR code.
Instant credit of funds into the connected IRIS payments® account, even across different banks.
Immediate liquidity, available 24/7/365.
Instant notification (push notification or SMS / Viber) when the funds arrive.
Flexibility, reliability, and security, without needing extra equipment (like a POS device).
Compliance with Law 5072/2023 and Joint Ministerial Decision 119899/2023 for acceptance of account‑to‑account instant payments.
You can pay for goods or services provided by freelancers or sole proprietors. Under IRIS P2Pro, payments are made to entities exempted from using electronic fiscal mechanisms, according to Government Gazette B’ 3/05‑01‑2015. Some example professions:
Doctors
Lawyers
Engineers
Plumbers
Electricians
Physiotherapists
Psychologists
Market vendors
For the full list of such professions, see POL 1002/31.12.2014.
The service is free for the payer (client).
For the professional (freelancer / sole proprietor), the fees are competitive compared with other payment methods, and are defined by their contractual agreement with their bank.
Yes. You can have two registrations with the same mobile number: one for personal use and one for professional use. For the professional registration you must provide your tax ID (AFM) and your bank account that is registered for professional use with AADE. Note: you cannot use the professional account for personal use.
The main difference:
IRIS P2P is for payments between private individuals for personal use.
IRIS P2Pro allows payments from private individuals to freelancers / sole proprietors within a professional/business context.
In that case, your bank provides the option to choose between “personal” or “professional” use before sending the payment.
IRIS services are provided by DIAS via participating banks / PSPs. If there is an error in a P2Pro transaction, please contact your bank to lodge any request regarding the transaction.
Alternatively, you may contact the mobile number to which you sent funds in error and request a return via IRIS.
IRIS Commerce is a modern alternative for instant payments charged directly from a bank account, both in e‑commerce (e‑shops) and in physical stores. Through IRIS payments® – powered by DIAS – consumers can complete purchases easily, quickly and securely, using their online banking or mobile banking environment.
The customer needs to be a registered user of a bank’s web banking or mobile banking app, whether purchasing via laptop/desktop or via mobile device.
You can complete the payment via one of the following methods:
Dynamic QR Code:
When purchasing from your laptop, at the store’s checkout screen, choose IRIS payments® as the payment method.
Select “Generate QR” for scanning via the mobile banking app.
Through your Mobile Banking app, select the button to scan a QR code.
Your phone’s camera opens - scan the QR code and approve the payment using your biometric data (or through the method you have set).
You have the option to select the account to be charged.
A message confirming the successful transaction will appear, and you will be redirected back to the e‑shop.
Redirection method:
When purchasing from your mobile phone, at checkout, select IRIS payments® as the payment method.
Choose your bank from the list of banks for payment via web banking.
You are redirected to the secure environment of your bank’s mobile or web banking app; log in using biometrics or your credentials.
Confirm your order.
Choose the account that will be debited.
You’ll see a confirmation message and return to the e‑shop.
Almost 70.000 online stores already offer IRIS Commerce as a payment method, enabling users to make fast and secure transactions. Starting 1 December 2025, all stores (physical & online) are required to accept account‑to‑account instant payments such as IRIS payments®.
No, the service is free for the consumer (payer).
Merchants are serviced by banks or Payment Service Providers, who will inform them about any charges applicable based on their agreement.
Yes. From 1 December 2025, under current legislation, all physical stores are obliged to accept account‑to‑account instant payments, such as IRIS payments®.
No. The IRIS QR code generated is unique to each transaction and has a limited validity period. The customer must scan it using their mobile banking app and then authorise the payment.
Yes. Payments via IRIS P2Pro and IRIS Commerce are counted toward building the tax‑free threshold provided they are made to professionals or businesses whose activity (business code, “KAD”) is recognized by AADE as eligible for electronic consumer spending. The classification and recording of the transaction is done by the bank through which the payment is made.
Note: IRIS P2P (private‑to‑private) payments do not count toward the tax‑free threshold.
IRIS P2Pro is for direct payments from private individuals to freelancers / sole proprietors within a professional context.
IRIS Commerce is a service used for instant payments in both online and physical stores, regardless of legal form. In P2Pro, the transaction is initiated by the individual (payer) to the professional; in Commerce, the transaction is initiated by the business, with acceptance of payment by the consumer.
Every online store operating in accordance with consumer protection legislation is required to have a return policy. You must follow the store’s return policy steps to receive a refund. Contact the store or the platform where you made the purchase to learn about the refund process, in line with the applicable consumer protection laws for distance purchases.
Starting from December 1, 2025, all stores (physical or online) are required to accept instant account-to-account payment services, such as IRIS payments®, as a payment option for their customers.
Yes, the receipt issuance process remains unchanged.
To enable IRIS Commerce payments for your company, you need to contact your bank or Payment Service Provider (PSP) that offers payment solutions. They will guide you through the onboarding process for the service.
IRIS payments, the interbank instant Account-to-Account (A2A) payment service operated by DIAS, offers two distinct services for businesses and self-employed professionals:
1.IRIS P2Pro: This service covers payments from individuals to self-employed professionals or sole proprietorships, using their VAT number, mobile phone number, or by scanning the professional’s QR code.
Sole proprietorships that transact with consumers are required to accept instant payment services, such as IRIS P2Pro, in accordance with Law 5072/2023. However, they are not required to enable IRIS on their POS devices (if they have one), as IRIS P2Pro payments are made through mobile banking by scanning the professional’s QR code or entering their VAT number or mobile phone number.
2.IRIS Commerce: This service applies to payments made to businesses with a legal entity (S.A., Ltd., P.C., G.P., L.P., etc.), whether at physical points of sale (via POS) or in e-shops (by selecting IRIS at checkout).
It also applies to sole proprietorships that, although not required, choose to accept instant payment services through installed POS terminals or e-shops.
As of December 1, 2025, under Law 5193/2025, all legal entities are required to accept instant payment services, such as IRIS Commerce payments — indicative examples include supermarkets, department stores, hotels, etc.
Through the same POS device (which will be upgraded to support the new functionality), consumers will be able to make payments either by card or via IRIS, thus providing an alternative payment option.
Summary:
Self-employed professionals / sole proprietorships → use IRIS P2Pro, without the need for a POS with IRIS functionality.
Companies (legal entities) → (as of Dec. 1) use IRIS Commerce, accepting IRIS payments either via POS (for physical stores) or through the IRIS checkout option (for e-shops).
IRIS payments are instant interbank transactions, with the payer’s account debited in real time.
At the physical point of sale (POS), however, the final crediting of the merchant’s account is processed through the clearing mechanisms of the Acceptance Provider (acquirer) used by the merchant, in accordance with each acquirer’s systems, commercial agreements and operational procedures.
At the current transitional stage of the market:
DIAS is closely monitoring the progress of all stakeholders and actively supports the gradual transition to full real-time merchant crediting, which is expected to be completed by the end of Q1 2026.
RF/QR code payments are a simple and modern way to pay bills, invoices and other amounts due to businesses or organizations.
The payer can either enter the RF code or scan the QR code through web or mobile banking and complete the payment easily and quickly.
All necessary payment details are included in the RF/QR code, without the need to enter an IBAN or any additional payment information. This significantly reduces the possibility of error and ensures that the payment is correctly routed to the beneficiary/recipient.
The main difference lies in how the payment is initiated.
The RF code is entered by the payer through web or mobile banking, either by typing it manually or by copying and pasting it. The QR code, on the other hand, is scanned with the mobile phone camera through the mobile banking app.
In both cases, the payment is based on the same information and leads to the same result. The difference is that the QR code makes the process even faster, as it reduces the need for manual input.
The payer can easily make the payment through their bank’s web or mobile banking.
The simplest way is through the mobile banking app, by selecting the QR/RF scanning feature and using the mobile phone camera to scan the code. The payment details then appear pre-filled, and the payer only needs to review them, enter the amount where required, and approve the transaction.
Alternatively, the RF code can be entered manually, either by typing it or by copying and pasting it.
RF/QR code payments are used in many everyday transactions, such as the payment of bills, invoices, insurance premiums, as well as payments to businesses, organizations or public sector services.
They are a simple and practical payment method, helping the payer complete transactions quickly and with correct payment identification, without having to search for account details or fill in additional information.
To make RF/QR payments, it is enough to use your bank’s web banking or mobile banking app.
No separate activation or registration is required in order to use the service.
Transaction limits are determined by your bank’s policy and by the available limits for electronic payments.
Before the transaction is completed, the payment details and amount are displayed, allowing the payer to review them and approve the transaction.
RF/QR payments should always be carried out within the secure environment of your bank’s web or mobile banking, just like any other electronic banking transaction.
At the same time, the use of RF/QR codes helps ensure correct payment identification and significantly reduces the possibility of errors when entering payment details.
For businesses, organizations and public bodies, RF/QR code payments facilitate the collection and identification of payments, improving day-to-day financial management.
The RF/QR code is generated by the beneficiary and accompanies the payment through to completion, enabling automated and reliable end-to-end transaction identification.
At the same time, variables can be incorporated into the code, allowing the coding structure to be adapted to the needs of each business or organization - for example, per customer, invoice, contract or other internal reference.
The business or organization can receive immediate notification that the payment has been executed, while the time required for the amount to be credited to the beneficiary’s account depends on the payment method chosen by the payer.
In this way, businesses and organizations can manage their collections more effectively, reduce outstanding items and offer customers or citizens a simpler and more reliable payment experience.
For the payer, RF/QR code payments offer convenience, speed and confidence.
There is no need to know or type an IBAN, add a payment description in the comments field, or send proof of payment. The possibility of error is significantly reduced, and the payment is completed in just a few steps.
The payer knows that the payment has been made correctly and will reach its destination — for example, in the case of car insurance payment within a few seconds, allowing the insurance service to be activated immediately.
One of the key advantages of RF/QR code payments is that there is no need to know or enter the beneficiary’s IBAN.
The payment is made based on the RF code or QR code, through which the necessary transaction details are automatically identified.
This makes the process simpler, faster and more secure, significantly reducing the possibility of errors when entering payment information.
You can make RF/QR code payments through Greek banks that support e-banking or mobile banking services.
You can pay with an RF code from a bank abroad, provided that your bank is located in a country within the Single Euro Payments Area, SEPA.
In this case, you make a SEPA Credit Transfer, entering the recipient’s IBAN and adding the RF code in the information to the beneficiary field.
DIAS routes your payment to the correct recipient, just as it does for payments made through Greek banks.
The RF code has a specific structure and includes two check digits, which ensure its validity.
If the transaction does not proceed, check that you have entered the RF code correctly.
Alternatively, you can scan the QR code through your bank’s mobile banking app, in order to avoid any typing errors.
The RF code may be fixed and linked to the payer, so that it can be used for more than one payment to the same recipient.
In addition, the RF code may correspond to a specific amount due, such as an invoice, payment order or bill. In this case, the code is unique to that specific payment.
In all cases, the RF code is generated by the recipient and is used for the correct identification of the payment.