Direct debits

“Direct debits” are a service provided by most banks, especially oriented to regular payments related to the supply of goods and services.
 
Direct debit payments must be agreed between the entities (creditors) to which payments are made (for instance, retailers) and one or several banks.
 
Conditions for the services individually supplied to each creditor within the scope of the Direct Debit System, namely as regards the aspects that are not envisaged in applicable regulatory provisions and any additional services, are freely agreed between the creditors and the respective banks.

In turn, consumers (debtors) wishing to make direct debit payments shall hold a bank account and shall expressly authorise the debit of the amounts to be collected in such accounts.

The debtor and the creditor must also agree that the collection instructions and payments shall be processed via the Direct Debit System. Each debtor must issue a “direct debit authorisation”, under which the creditor may regularly collect the amounts due.