SEPA XML Validator

Validate SEPA XML payment files against ISO 20022 standard before uploading to your bank.

What It Does

Validates SEPA XML files (credit transfers and direct debits) before you upload them to your bank's portal. Catches errors that would cause rejection:

• IBAN format validation (length, country code, check digits)
• BIC/SWIFT validation
• XML structure against ISO 20022 message types
• Amount consistency (sum of individual transactions vs control sum)
• Duplicate detection (same IBAN + amount + date)
• Required fields check (debtor, creditor, payment info)

Supported Message Types

Message	Type	Description
pain.001.001.03	Credit Transfer	SEPA bonifici (SCT)
pain.001.001.09	Credit Transfer	SEPA bonifici v9
pain.008.001.02	Direct Debit	SEPA addebiti diretti (SDD)
pain.008.001.08	Direct Debit	SEPA addebiti diretti v8

Quick Start

# Install
pip install sepa-xml-validator

# Or use directly
git clone https://github.com/SynapticaSolution/sepa-xml-validator.git
cd sepa-xml-validator

Command Line

# Validate a single file
python -m sepa_validator payments.xml

# Validate all XML files in a directory
python -m sepa_validator ./xml-files/

# JSON output (for automation)
python -m sepa_validator payments.xml --format json

# Strict mode (warns on optional missing fields too)
python -m sepa_validator payments.xml --strict

Python API

from sepa_validator import validate_sepa_file, validate_iban

# Validate a SEPA XML file
result = validate_sepa_file("payments.xml")

if result.is_valid:
    print(f"Valid {result.message_type} with {result.transaction_count} transactions")
    print(f"Total amount: {result.control_sum} EUR")
else:
    for error in result.errors:
        print(f"ERROR: {error.message} (line {error.line})")
    for warning in result.warnings:
        print(f"WARNING: {warning.message}")

# Validate a single IBAN
is_valid, error = validate_iban("IT60X0542811101000000123456")

Output Example

$ python -m sepa_validator bonifici-marzo.xml

SEPA XML Validator v1.0.0
File: bonifici-marzo.xml
Type: pain.001.001.03 (Credit Transfer)

Transactions: 47
Control Sum: 125,430.50 EUR
Debtor: Acme SRL (IT60X0542811101000000123456)

Validation Results:
  [PASS] XML structure valid
  [PASS] Message type: pain.001.001.03
  [PASS] All 47 IBANs valid
  [PASS] BIC codes valid
  [PASS] Control sum matches (125,430.50 EUR)
  [PASS] No duplicate transactions
  [WARN] 3 transactions without remittance info

Result: VALID (1 warning)

IBAN Validation

The validator checks IBANs against the official SWIFT registry:

• Country code (2 letters)
• Check digits (mod 97 algorithm, ISO 7064)
• BBAN length per country (Italy: 23 chars)
• Character set validation

from sepa_validator import validate_iban

validate_iban("IT60X0542811101000000123456")  # (True, None)
validate_iban("IT00X0542811101000000123456")  # (False, "Invalid check digits")
validate_iban("XX60X0542811101000000123456")  # (False, "Unknown country code")

Integration

With SEPA Manager

This validator is used internally by SEPA Manager, a payment automation tool that generates SEPA XML files from invoicing software (Fatture in Cloud, etc.). SEPA Manager validates every file before generation, which is why it achieves 0% IBAN errors.

With CI/CD

# GitHub Actions
- name: Validate SEPA files
  run: |
    pip install sepa-xml-validator
    python -m sepa_validator ./output/*.xml --format json > validation.json

With Shell Scripts

# Validate before uploading to bank
python -m sepa_validator payment.xml && upload_to_bank payment.xml

Common Errors Caught

Error	Description	Impact
Invalid IBAN	Wrong check digits or format	Bank rejects entire file
Control sum mismatch	Sum of amounts != declared total	Bank rejects entire file
Missing BIC	Required for cross-border payments	Transaction rejected
Duplicate payment	Same beneficiary + amount + date	Double payment risk
Invalid characters	Special chars in beneficiary name	Bank rejects transaction
Future execution date	Date > 30 days in future	Bank may reject

Why Validate Before Upload?

Banks reject entire SEPA XML files if even one transaction has an error. A single invalid IBAN means all 50 payments fail. Validating locally first saves time and prevents failed batches.

Without validation: upload → rejection → fix → re-upload → re-authorize (30+ minutes) With validation: validate → fix → upload → authorize (5 minutes)

Related Resources

• What is a SEPA XML file? - Guide to SEPA XML ISO 20022 format
• How to import payment batches in your bank - Step-by-step for Italian banks
• SEPA Manager - Automate SEPA file generation from invoices
• Best SEPA payment software 2026 - Comparison guide

License

MIT - See LICENSE

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Made by Synaptica Solution - AI Governance & Process Automation for Italian SMEs