Using addresses in connection with payment transactions

Ensure smooth processing of payment

Starting in November 2026, it will be necessary to include structured or hybrid addresses in payment instructions. Consequently, we recommend that you review and update your accounting systems to ensure they comply with the new requirements and your payments can be processed without restrictions.

The aforementioned change applies to the following payment instruments:

SEPA payments;
SEPA direct debits; and
Payments abroad.

We now recommend using a structured address; this means that each part of the address has its own designated field (e.g. street, town, post code, country). This allows payments to be processed faster and more reliably.

Supported elements of a structured address:

	Element XML	Required for payments abroad	Required for SEPA payments
Ulice / Street	<StrtNm>	yes	no
Číslo budovy / Building Number	<BldgNb>	No, but required for payments in USD and to the US	no
PSČ / Post Code	<PstCd>	No, but required for payments in USD and to the US	no
Město / Town	<TwnNm>	yes	No, but required for payments outside the EU/EEA
Region / Country Sub Division	<CtrySubDvsn>	No, but required for payments in USD and to the US	no
Země / Country	<Ctry>	yes	No, but required for payments outside the EU/EEA

Important: A payment order with an address that does not have the required fields filled in cannot be accepted for processing.

<Nm>JAN TRADER</Nm>
<PstlAdr><StrtNm>BUSINESS STREET</StrtNm>
<BldgNb>100</BldgNb>
<PstCd>70007</PstCd>
<TwnNm>BERN</TwnNm>
<Ctry>CH</Ctry></PstlAdr>

The use of structured addresses contributes to automated payment processing and reduces the risk of payment suspension due to additional sanctions screening or AML checks.

In addition to a structured address, you can also use a hybrid address, which combines a structured address – where the town and country are required elements – with up to two lines of an unstructured address (2 x 70 characters).

Note: The content of the structured part may not be duplicated in the “AddressLine” element.

Example of a hybrid address

<Nm>JAN TRADER</Nm>
<PstlAdr><PstCd>70007</PstCd> 
<TwnNm>BERN</TwnNm> 
<Ctry>CH</Ctry>
<AdrLine> BUSINESS STREET 100</AdrLine>
</PstlAdr>

Download an overview of recommended address structures for individual countries

Make sure that you are entering structured addresses in your systems.
If this is not the case:
1. Please update the data in your accounting system to support the structured format;
2. If necessary, contact your accounting system provider and request a modification.
Verify that you are entering the payee’s full address in line with the recommendations for individual countries.

Online one-time payments: forms in banking apps will change as of 20 June 2026;
XML import: you can already import a structured address – it will be fully valid starting 20 June 2026;
Import in BEST and EDIBEST formats: starting 20 June 2026.

We will not reject your payment order – we will attempt to convert it to a structured format; however, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the conversion. The payee’s bank may suspend or return the payment.

The current versions of these formats do not support structured addresses. Therefore, we have updated the format specifications for SEPA and international payments imports to enable the secure transmission of structured data regarding the payee and the payee’s bank.

However, you must provide the revised format specifications to your accounting system provider and request their implementation.