IRIS Pay and Cross-Border Payments in Europe: How to Reduce Fees

The growth of e-commerce and international business has made cross-border payments an increasingly important part of companies' daily operations. Whether you sell online, work with international partners, or provide services to customers in different countries, efficiently managing international payments has become a competitive advantage.

In 2026, businesses are looking not only for ways to make international transfers but also for solutions that reduce administrative complexity, optimize costs, and accelerate the payment process.

This is where Open Banking and A2A payments are transforming the way companies send and receive cross-border payments.

The Challenges of Traditional Cross-Border Payments for Businesses

For many years, traditional bank transfers were the primary method for international payments.

Today, they remain a reliable payment option. However, as companies expand into multiple markets and handle higher payment volumes, they are increasingly looking for more efficient solutions.

Especially in international trade, even small differences in costs and processing speed can have a significant impact on overall business efficiency.

Why Are Traditional International Transfer Fees So High?

The final cost of an international transfer is not always determined solely by the bank's published fee.

Depending on the transaction, the total cost may include:

• bank commissions;
• currency conversion fees;
• intermediary banks;
• administrative charges;
• processing fees.

For businesses handling a high volume of international transfers, these costs can accumulate and significantly affect overall operating expenses.

Hidden Fees in Standard Cross-Border Payments

With traditional cross-border payments, businesses do not always have full visibility into all the costs associated with a transaction.

In addition to direct banking fees, there may be additional charges related to payment processing, foreign exchange operations, or intermediary financial institutions.

As a result, more companies are evaluating not only the cost of each individual transaction but also the overall efficiency of their payment processes.

How Is Open Banking Changing the Rules of the Game in Europe?

The development of Open Banking has introduced a new approach to bank payments.

Instead of routing payments through multiple intermediaries, A2A (Account-to-Account) solutions enable funds to move directly between the customer's bank account and the merchant's bank account.

This approach provides:

• a more direct payment process;
• enhanced security;
• greater transparency;
• seamless integration with existing business systems;
• more efficient payment management.

For businesses, this means access to a modern payment infrastructure built on the banking systems they already use.

Strategies for Optimizing Your Cross-Border Business Payments

Companies operating internationally are increasingly optimizing not only their logistics and sales operations but also the way they accept payments.

A well-designed cross-border business payments strategy can provide better control over financial processes while improving operational efficiency.

Moving from Card Transactions to Secure Direct Payments

More and more European businesses are complementing traditional card payment methods with direct payments enabled by Open Banking.

With this model, customers authorize payments directly through their online banking environment without entering card details.

For businesses, this offers several advantages:

• fewer intermediaries;
• enhanced security;
• easier payment tracking;
• a smoother customer experience.

How to Choose a Fintech Solution That Helps Reduce Processing Fees

When selecting a payment provider, businesses should evaluate the overall value of the service rather than focusing solely on the cost of an individual transaction.

Key factors to consider include:

• integration capabilities;
• banking network coverage;
• level of automation;
• process transparency;
• quality of technical support.

Open Banking-based solutions often help businesses reduce processing fees while maintaining both payment security and customer convenience.

Efficient Management of B2B Cross-Border Payments in 2026

In 2026, international B2B payments are increasingly viewed as part of a company's broader digital transformation strategy.

Businesses are looking for solutions that enable:

• centralized payment management;
• improved payment visibility;
• automation of financial processes;
• seamless ERP integration;
• faster service for international customers.

Modern B2B cross-border payments are no longer just bank transfers between two countries—they have become digital processes that support business growth.

Why Is IRIS Pay the Preferred Partner for International Payments in the Region?

IRIS Pay leverages Open Banking and A2A technology to provide a modern solution for accepting cross-border payments.

The platform is connected to banks in:

• Bulgaria;
• Romania;
• Greece;
• Croatia;
• Cyprus;
• Italy;

as well as international financial institutions including:

• Revolut;
• Paysera;
• Ebury.

This connectivity enables businesses to accept payments from multiple European markets through a single, unified infrastructure.

In addition to its broad banking coverage, IRIS Pay offers easy integration, secure direct payments, and an optimized payment experience for both merchants and their customers.

For companies operating across international markets, this means more efficient management of cross-border payments, improved operational efficiency, and access to the next generation of banking infrastructure in Europe.