An IBAN (International Bank Account Number) is a standardised format used to identify bank accounts in Europe and worldwide. It was created for the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) to make financial transactions simpler and more secure. In Belgium, as in the entire SEPA zone, the IBAN ensures fast, secure and accurate transfers.
Your IBAN is a unique alphanumeric sequence linked to your account. In Belgium, it consists of 16 characters. It includes the country code (BE), two check digits, your bank code and your traditional account number.
The check digits play a key role. They are calculated using an algorithm that verifies the validity of the IBAN even before a transfer is initiated. This significantly reduces the risk of failed transactions.
All you need to do is enter your Belgian account number in the field below and clic on "Calculate". The tool instantly calculates and displays your full IBAN.
A standard Belgian account number consists of 12 digits (e.g. XXX-XXXXXXX-XX). This is an easy and reliable way to make sure you always use the correct format for your transactions.
No. The IBAN includes your account number but adds extra elements such as the country code and check digits. These elements are essential for international identification and payment validation.
"}},{"title":"Can I use this IBAN for international transfers?","richBody":{"value":"Absolutely. The IBAN was specifically designed to standardise and facilitate cross-border payments. Using your IBAN helps ensure that international transfers are processed efficiently and in line with global banking standards.
"}},{"title":"Does the IBAN replace the SWIFT/BIC code?","richBody":{"value":"No, not entirely. The IBAN is sufficient for most payments within the SEPA zone. However, the SWIFT/BIC code is still required for certain international transfers.
SWIFT stands for Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication. The BIC is a Bank Identifier Code. The BIC code for ING Belgium is BBRUBEBB.
Your IBAN can be found on your account statements, your debit card, and in the ING Banking app or Home'Bank. You can also use this calculator to quickly retrieve it using your account number.
"}},{"title":"Is it safe to share my IBAN?","richBody":{"value":"Yes, it is generally safe to share your IBAN when you want to receive payments. However, always stay alert. Never share sensitive information such as your PIN or your banking app codes. ING will never ask you for this information.
"}},{"title":"Why is the IBAN important?","richBody":{"value":"The IBAN is essential for accurate and fast transactions. It reduces errors, speeds up payment processing and improves the traceability of funds.
For private individuals, it makes transfers and direct debits more reliable. For businesses, it simplifies invoicing and cash flow management.