Organising a group trip, collecting for a birthday gift, or saving together for a shared goal is exciting. The part that gets messy? Getting everyone to actually pay in.

With Potje, contributing to a shared money pot is straightforward. But across Europe, people use different payment methods depending on where they bank. Bancontact dominates in Belgium. Pay by Bank is a clean open-banking option available across multiple countries. And Wero, the new pan-European payment system backed by 16 major European banks, is already live in Belgium, Germany, and France, while the Netherlands is moving from iDEAL to Wero through a phased transition. Potje also currently supports iDEAL and standard SEPA bank transfers directly, alongside these options.

This guide breaks down how each method works, where it's available, and which one makes the most sense for your group.

Whether you're planning a weekend away in Amsterdam, a ski trip from Brussels, or a group gift from Berlin, understanding your payment options means less friction and more money in the pot, faster.

What Is a Group Money Pot?

A group money pot is a shared digital account where everyone contributes toward a common goal before the money gets spent.

With Potje, the organiser creates a pot, sets a goal, and shares a payment link with the group. Everyone pays in using their preferred method. The organiser can pay out at any time, in any amount, with no fee on partial payouts.

The key difference from other apps: Potje collects money first, before anyone spends. No chasing people after the Airbnb is booked. No one person carrying the full cost.

Your first month on Potje is completely free. After that, the €5/month platform fee is split automatically across the group, so at 10 people it works out to just €0.50 each per month.

The Three Payment Methods Compared

Here is a quick overview of how Bancontact, Pay by Bank, and Wero stack up for group pot contributions.

Each method connects directly to a bank account. No credit card needed. No intermediary holding your money.

Bancontact: The Belgian Standard

Bancontact is embedded in virtually every Belgian bank card and integrated into most Belgian banking apps. It handles around 55% of Belgian card-based payments, which is why it feels less like a payment option and more like infrastructure.

When someone in your group pays into a Potje pot via Bancontact, they confirm the payment through their bank app or by scanning a QR code. The money moves instantly, directly from their account.

Best for: Groups based in Belgium, or mixed Belgian/Dutch groups where most contributors bank in Belgium.

Pay by Bank: The Open Banking Route

Pay by Bank routes a payment directly from the contributor's bank account using open banking. The contributor confirms the payment inside their own banking app, and the money settles quickly without a card intermediary.

It is available across multiple European countries and works well for groups where members bank at different institutions. The experience is clean: tap the link, confirm in your bank app, done.

Best for: Groups with members across different banks or countries who want a straightforward bank-to-bank contribution.

Wero: The New Pan-European Option

Wero is the consumer payment wallet built by the European Payments Initiative (EPI), backed by major European banks. Wero launched in Germany, France, and Belgium in 2024. The Netherlands followed a different timeline: its phased transition from iDEAL to Wero began in 2026 with co-branded iDEAL | Wero checkouts and a gradual technical migration. European Payments Initiative (EPI)

Wero settles payments in under 10 seconds over SEPA Instant rails. Contributors identify themselves by phone number or email address, confirm with biometrics, and the money arrives almost immediately.

Key fact: Wero already has 55 million users across Germany, France, and Belgium. iDEAL and SEPA transfers remain fully supported payment options on Potje today.

Best for: Groups with members across Belgium, Germany, and France, as well as Dutch groups navigating the phased move from iDEAL to Wero.

Which Payment Method Should Your Group Use?

The honest answer: it depends on where your group members bank.

Everyone in Belgium? Bancontact is the obvious choice. It is already on every Belgian bank card and takes seconds to use.

Mixed Netherlands and Belgium group? Pay by Bank remains a straightforward cross-border option, while Wero is becoming more relevant as the Netherlands moves through its phased migration from iDEAL to Wero.

Group spanning multiple EU countries? Wero is designed to provide a more consistent European payment experience. It is already established in Belgium, Germany, and France, while the Netherlands is transitioning from iDEAL to Wero in phases.

Someone who just prefers their bank app? Pay by Bank works cleanly for anyone who wants to pay directly from their bank account without setting up a separate wallet. iDEAL and standard SEPA transfers are also fully supported for contributors who prefer those options.

The good news is that Potje supports all of these methods. Your group does not need to agree on one. Each person can pay in using whatever works for them, and it all lands in the same shared pot.

Practical tip: When you share the Potje payment link, mention which methods are available. It removes the friction of people wondering whether their bank is supported.

Instant Payouts and No Fee on Partial Withdrawals

One of the most common frustrations with group money tools is getting the money back out.

Potje offers instant payouts of any amount. Whether you need to pay a deposit before the full pot is collected, or you want to withdraw a partial amount to cover an early cost, there is no fee on partial payouts.

This matters because real group trips and events rarely follow a neat timeline. Someone needs to book the accommodation before everyone has paid in. The organiser should not be penalised for that.

How payouts work on Potje:

The organiser requests a payout from the pot

Any amount can be withdrawn at any time

The money arrives instantly

No additional fee for partial withdrawals

This flexibility, combined with the choice of payment methods for contributors, makes Potje genuinely practical for the way groups actually plan things.

Want to see how Potje compares to other approaches? Read our breakdown of group money management: shared expense tracker vs shared savings account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can group members use different payment methods to contribute to the same pot?

Yes. Each contributor can pay using whichever method is available through their bank. Bancontact, Pay by Bank, Wero, iDEAL, and standard SEPA transfers all land in the same shared pot. The organiser does not need to manage multiple payment streams.

Is Wero available in the Netherlands?

The Netherlands is currently transitioning from iDEAL to Wero. The migration began in 2026 with co-branded iDEAL | Wero checkouts and is being rolled out in phases, with iDEAL planned to be phased out by the end of 2027. Major Dutch banks including ABN AMRO, ING, and Rabobank support the transition. During the migration period, iDEAL remains available on Potje alongside Wero-related payment infrastructure.

What is the difference between Bancontact and Wero?

Bancontact is a Belgian domestic payment scheme embedded in Belgian bank cards and apps. Wero is a pan-European payment wallet built by the European Payments Initiative. It is already live in Belgium, Germany, and France, while the Netherlands is transitioning from iDEAL to Wero. Both are designed for fast bank-based payments, but Wero is built for broader cross-border European use while Bancontact is Belgian-focused.

Does Potje charge a fee when I pay into a pot?

The Potje platform fee is €5 per month for the entire group, split automatically. There is no transaction fee charged to contributors when they pay in. Your first month is completely free.

Can I withdraw money from the pot before it is full?

Yes. Potje supports instant payouts of any amount at any time. There is no fee on partial payouts, so you can withdraw what you need when you need it.

Is Pay by Bank safe?

Pay by Bank uses open banking, regulated under the EU's PSD2 directive. Payments are authorised directly through your bank's own security system, including biometric or PIN confirmation. No card details are shared with third parties.

Start Your Group Pot Today

Group money should be simple. Everyone contributes before the trip is booked, the gift is ordered, or the event is paid for. No awkward reminders. No one person carrying the cost alone.

Potje makes that possible, and your first month is completely free.

Whether your group pays in via Bancontact, Pay by Bank, Wero, iDEAL, or SEPA transfer, it all lands in one shared pot. Instant payouts. No fee on partial withdrawals. A clear goal everyone can see progress toward.

Create your free group pot on Potje and share the link with your group today.