[radiator]

SEPA payments are not free between different banks in all countries. There can be charges of 4€ within the same country, even for small amounts.

[jahnu]

Instant SEPA is free for me with my Austrian Erste Bank account but €1.50 with my easyBank account.

Interestingly, Erste have it off by default in the mobile app so I always have to turn it on for each transfer.

Non-free transfers between those banks can take about 1 hour but if too late in the day then 1 business day.

[catdog]

At least in Germany they usually are free for personal accounts (if not your contract is likely shit, choose a better bank).

SEPA instant might cost extra or not be available but both of that will change soon due to new EU regulations.

[radiator]

In Germany, competition seems to work in this case, so it is free. I believe SEPA dictates that an intercommunity transfer may not be more expensive than a transfer within the same country. So if a bank in country X charges you 4€ to receive money from another bank in the same country X, it may also charge you 4€ for receiving money from Germany.

[earnesti]

I've been paying like 0.9eur fixed fee. However often they are free. I don't know what exactly the logic is with the fees. Anyway I wouldn't see it as a suitable method for small retail payments.

[kome]

Perhaps you need to update your contract or something, SEPA for eur-to-eur wires are free in most of banks.