For years, Giropay played a trusted role in the German payments landscape. But its disappearance in 2024 has raised new questions for merchants who relied on it. If you're responsible for checkout performance, customer retention, or managing bank payment integrations, this article gives you the clarity needed to adapt quickly and smartly.
Understanding Giropay as a payment method in Germany
What is Giropay and how did it work?
Giropay was a giro payment method rooted in online banking. Launched in 2006, it enabled customers with accounts at participating German banks to pay directly from their bank account in real time. Using PIN, TAN, and strong two-factor authentication (2FA), Giropay facilitated transactions online without storing or exposing sensitive information to the merchant. No app, no card, no registration—just a direct connection to the bank.
Was Giropay safe to use?
Yes, it was built on familiar banking infrastructure. Customers authenticated payments through their bank, not the merchant. The result was strong security, low fraud exposure, and no sensitive customer data stored or shared. Payments were irrevocable, providing peace of mind for both sides of the transaction.
Giropay’s role in the German payment market
Why was Giropay popular with German consumers and businesses?
Giropay aligned with user expectations in Germany, where trust in banks runs deep. It supported 45 million account holders and was integrated into many e-commerce checkout pages. Merchants appreciated its immediacy and lack of chargebacks, while customers relied on it as a familiar, bank-backed method.
What were Giropay's limitations for merchants?
Giropay supported only EUR-denominated payments and required customers to complete each transaction manually. No recurring billing. No subscriptions. No support for digital wallets. It also excluded international buyers by design—only customers with German bank accounts could use it. While its simplicity was its strength, that same rigidity became a limitation as commerce expectations shifted.
The phase-out and closure of Giropay
Why did Giropay close, and when did it happen?
Giropay was officially discontinued on 31 December 2024. The closure was driven by a shift in strategic priorities among major German banks, including Deutsche Bank, as well as the shift toward unified European payment initiatives. Some payment providers began phasing out support as early as June 2024. As of today, the transition is long complete, and merchants who haven’t already adapted are well behind the curve.
Is Giropay still available in 2025?
No. Giropay is no longer available. Payment processors and platform partners have begun to automatically remove Giropay from merchant checkout pages. This affects refund handling, documentation referencing the method, and ongoing support. The method in Germany has officially reached its end.
The merchant impact of Giropay payments ending
What does this change mean for your payment options and checkout experience?
Merchants must now update integrations and remove Giropay from all visible payment options. Customers still expecting to use it will need an alternative. Refund processes tied to Giropay must be reviewed, as transaction lookups and reversals may no longer function. Inaction could result in checkout friction or support queries you don’t want.
Are there alternatives to Giropay for Germany?
Yes. Wero, backed by European banking institutions, is gaining visibility as a next-generation online banking payment option. German consumers are also adopting a broader mix of digital wallets and localised bank transfer options. The move away from single-method reliance creates opportunities for a more flexible payment experience.
Here are some key alternatives:
- Wero: A pan-European initiative from EPI, aiming to become a leading online banking payment method with instant SEPA credit transfers and strong security.
- SEPA Instant Credit Transfer: Available through most German banks, it allows real-time transfers using standard banking apps and interfaces.
- Klarna (formerly Sofort): Widely used in Germany for online banking payments, offering real-time confirmation.
- Digital wallets: PayPal remains popular, while Apple Pay and Google Pay are gaining traction, especially with younger users and mobile-first shoppers.
Adapting to the shift in payment methods
How to update your integration and documentation
Audit your current payment setup, if you haven’t yet. If Giropay still appears in the checkout, sandbox, or API logic, remove it. Check your documentation, refund workflows, and customer service scripts. Update all customer-facing pages and backend references. This change isn’t optional, and overlooking it could create operational struggle.
Local payment methods and bank transfers supported by providers like Antom
Providers such as Antom offer a suite of alternative payment methods tailored for Germany and Europe. This includes real-time online banking payments and support for multiple wallets. You get fast settlement, strong customer authentication, and bank-grade reliability—without having to build from scratch or maintain fragmented integrations.
Final thoughts for your business decision
The closure of Giropay represents more than the loss of a familiar payment method. It signals a wider shift in how transactions online are structured, secured, and supported. For merchants in Germany, it’s a prompt to rethink what your checkout can offer and how it aligns with evolving customer preferences. If you need a partner ready to support local payment options at scale, providers like Antom are already helping merchants stay ahead of change.
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