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Open Banking Specifics in Belgium

# Authentication flows and SCA

Belgian banks predominantly use redirect-based authorisation flows for Open Banking. Major banks support app-to-app redirection flows for Strong Customer Authentication (SCA), when accessed from mobile devices with bank apps installed on them. Also many banks support authentication using the itsme mobile app and dedicated hardware authentication devices.

# Major Banks (ASPSPs)

The most widely used Belgian ASPSPs are:

Full list of banks (as per EBA) is available here (opens new window).

# Payment Specifics

All Belgian banks support SEPA Credit Transfers (SCT) in EUR (Euro), the local currency, via their open banking APIs. Instant SEPA Credit Transfers (SCT Inst) are available at several banks but not yet universally supported across all ASPSPs.

# Specifics per ASPSP

Below are some notable specifics for the main banks operating in Belgium.

# BNP Paribas Fortis

SCA is handled via the Itsme mobile app or a card reader. Users will be redirected to the bank's authentication web page where they choose the preferred authentication method.

# KBC Group

KBC Group operates under three distinct brands: KBC (Dutch-speaking region), CBC (French-speaking region), and KBC Brussels (Brussels region). Each brand requires using its own interface, but they are almost identical. Authentication is handled through their respective mobile apps:

  • KBC Mobile / KBC Business
  • CBC Mobile / CBC Business
  • KBC Brussels Mobile / KBC Brussels Mobile

App-to-app redirection is supported, however does not work automatically and after redirected to the bank's authentication web page users have to choose between private and business usage after which they are switched to the corresponding app.

# Belfius Bank

Belfius uses the Belfius Mobile app for SCA when open banking auth flow is handled on the device where the app is installed, providing seamless app switch experience. When the Belfius Mobile app is not installed (e.g., on the PC), users are given an option to choose between authentication using the itsme mobile app or the Belfius card reader connected to the PC.

# ING

ING provides SCA via app switch to its ING Banking app when the app is install on the device from which open banking auth flow is triggered. Otherwise users shall choose between authentication using the itsme mobile app (the default option), the ING card reader, the ING QR code (scanned using the ING Banking app) or the auth methods provided by the Isabel Group.

# Argenta

Argenta provides SCA via app switch to the Argenta mobile app when the app is install on the device from which open banking auth flow is triggered. Otherwise users shall choose between authentication using the Digipass device or the itsme mobile app.

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