Technical Overview: The e-QR Code Format

Code Structure

The e-QR code follows a structured data format that encodes payment information in a compact, machine-readable form. The format is based on the EMVCo QR Code Specification for Payment Systems, adapted for the European regulatory environment.

Key Data Fields

Each e-QR code contains a set of mandatory and optional fields:

• Payee IBAN — The beneficiary account number
• Amount — Transaction amount in EUR
• Reference — Structured payment reference
• Payee Name — Name of the beneficiary
• Description — Free-text payment description

Encoding

The data is encoded as a UTF-8 string within a standard QR code (ISO/IEC 18004). Error correction level M is recommended to balance data density with readability. The maximum payload size ensures compatibility with commonly available QR code scanners.

Versioning

The format includes a version identifier to ensure forward compatibility. Version 1.0 establishes the baseline, with provisions for optional extension fields in future versions.