# Europe - Updated verification requirements for connected accounts of Platforms **Last updated: March 2026** Stripe regularly reviews and updates verification requirements to provide best-in-class protections for its users. These changes vary by region, guided by different regulatory, network, and partner rules, which inform the information we collect and verify to understand who our customers are. For connected accounts in Europe, we are updating Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements, which include identity verification, legal entity verification and ultimate beneficial owner (UBO) and director verification. These updates apply to your accounts that have [card_payments](https://docs.stripe.com/connect/account-capabilities#card-payments) capability enabled across 33 countries in Europe. If you are a platform that is responsible for collecting requirement information from your connected accounts, you will need to update your integration to handle these changes. This will ensure your connected accounts meet the new requirements, allowing them to continue accepting card payments and receiving payouts without interruption. [Visit your Dashboard](https://dashboard.stripe.com/connect/compliance/eu-2025) to learn more and begin preparing for these changes. --- ## **FAQ** * [Why is Stripe updating verification requirements for these accounts?](#why-is-stripe-updating-verification-requirements-for-these-accounts) * [What’s changing for connected accounts in Europe?](#whats-changing-for-connected-accounts-in-europe) * [Which capabilities will be impacted by these new requirements?](#which-capabilities-will-be-impacted) * [What changes do Platforms need to implement?](#what-changes-do-platforms-need-to-implement) * [What is the timeline for my existing connected accounts to provide information?](#how-much-time-will-my-existing-connected-accounts) * [Which individuals associated with the account will need to undergo verifications?](#which-individuals-associated-with-the-account) * [What about my connected accounts for which Stripe handles onboarding?](#what-about-my-connected-accounts-for-which-stripe-handles-onboarding) * [Where can I track the progress of my connected accounts through the Europe verification update?](#where-can-i-track-the-progress-of-my-connected-accounts) --- ## Why is Stripe updating verification requirements for these accounts? Stripe regularly reviews and updates its verification requirements to stay current with financial regulations and ensure businesses that use Stripe are compliant. For businesses based in Europe that process payments with us or use our products and services, we’re updating how we collect, validate, and verify business and personal information in line with local regulations including the [UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)](https://www.fca.org.uk/) and [Central Bank of Ireland (CBI)](https://www.centralbank.ie/) --- ## What’s changing for connected accounts in Europe? In order to meet higher KYC standards, some connected accounts in Europe will need to complete: * **Enhanced identity verification**. Some individuals associated with connected accounts may need to provide additional information to verify their identity. Stripe will attempt to programmatically verify the information provided upon onboarding. If this fails, connected accounts can choose to: * Complete selfie verification via Stripe Identity * Provide updated information to Stripe, including a new optional National ID number * Upload 2 separate documents: * One as Proof of Identity such as a passport or a driver's license * One as Proof of Home Address such as a utility bill or a bank statement * Legal entity verification. Some accounts will need to provide additional information to verify the company name, address, and registration number. If we are unable to verify your business programmatically, Stripe may request additional Proof of Business documentation in order to verify legal entities. * **Ultimate beneficial ownership (UBO) and director verification.** Some connected accounts will need to provide additional information in order for Stripe to verify the relationship between the business and its UBO(s) and/or director(s). UBO and director verifications in Europe are based on European regulatory requirements which require: * Verification of ultimate beneficial owner(s) and/or director(s) relationship to the legal entity (LE); and * Occasionally, identity verification of the ultimate beneficial owner, when additional information is required Read more about beneficial ownership. View [Acceptable verification documents by country](https://docs.stripe.com/acceptable-verification-documents?country=&document-type=identity). --- ## Which capabilities will be impacted by these new requirements? These updates apply to your accounts that have [card_payments](https://docs.stripe.com/connect/account-capabilities#card-payments) capability enabled across 33 countries in Europe. --- ### What changes do Platforms need to implement? Custom Connect platforms must: Update their integration: * **By April 1, 2026:** Platforms with only individual connected account types must update their onboarding flows. New connected accounts in Europe created after this date must meet the updated requirements. * **By May 1, 2026:** Platforms with any company or other legal entity connected accounts types have until May 1st to update their onboarding flows. New connected accounts in Europe created after this date must meet the updated requirements. Collect updated business information for existing users by **October 31, 2026**. Existing connected accounts must meet the updated requirements to continue to receive payouts. They may also experience further capability restrictions. Standard/Express/UA1&UA2 platforms do not require any integration changes. Stripe will reach out to their connected accounts directly to collect updated business information. Find more details on how to prepare in your [Dashboard](https://dashboard.stripe.com/connect/compliance/eu-2025). --- ## What changes do Custom Platforms have to make to their integration? If you use an API-based flow to onboard your connected accounts, you must update your integration to handle all requirement changes. Platforms have three options to choose from when deciding how to adjust their onboarding flow to ensure connected accounts meet these requirements. Even if a custom platform has an API integration, they can still take advantage of hosted or embedded onboarding to implement the updated onboarding requirements. * **Embedded Onboarding:**\** Add customizable embedded onboarding components to your site. These dynamically update to reflect new requirements. * **Stripe Hosted:** Send users to our hosted onboarding experience. This flow also updates automatically to reflect new requirements, but provides less customization. When your new connected accounts provide business information we’re unable to verify, we’ll surface detailed verification responses via the Accounts API. You’ll need to adjust your integration to handle new verification responses. * **API Onboarding:** Modify your existing onboarding flow using detailed verification responses from the Accounts API. This allows the most control, but requires the most effort to maintain. [Visit our Integration guide](https://docs.stripe.com/connect/upcoming-requirements-updates?program=eu-2025) to learn about the changes, review timelines and access technical resources for updating your integration. We've released API updates to support new verification workflows for accounts in Europe, allowing you to prepare for the necessary changes to your integration. --- ## What is the timeline for my existing connected accounts to provide information? Europe-based connected accounts are subject to new requirements with the following key deadlines: * Starting March 2026: You'll be able to see an estimate of impacted accounts via Dashboard and API. * April 1, 2026: New accounts for platforms that only have individual connected accounts must meet the updated requirements before they can be successfully onboarded. * May 1, 2026: New accounts for platforms that only have company connected accounts, or a mix of company and individual connected accounts, must meet the updated requirements before they can be successfully onboarded. * June 2026: New requirements are due for existing accounts. * June 2026 - October 31, 2026: To avoid restrictions, the updated requirements for each account must be verified by that account’s due date. --- ## Which individuals associated with the account will need to undergo verifications? Account Representatives , Ultimate Beneficiary Owners and Directors will need to undergo enhanced identity verification. Stripe will attempt to programmatically verify the information that was provided during onboarding. If this fails, individuals on connected accounts can choose to: * Complete selfie verification via Stripe Identity * Provide updated information to Stripe, including a new optional National ID number * Upload 2 separate documents: * One as Proof of Identity such as a passport or a driving licence * One as Proof of Home Address such as a utility bill or a bank statement View the [list of acceptable documents for each country](https://docs.stripe.com/acceptable-verification-documents?country=TH&document-type=identity#select-a-country-to-view-its-requirements). --- ## What about my connected accounts for which Stripe handles onboarding? If you have connected accounts in Europe where Stripe manages onboarding, including Standard and Express connected accounts, refer to the support article. --- ## Where can I track the progress of my connected accounts through the Europe verification update? You can track the progress of your connected accounts through both the Dashboard and API. In your Dashboard, go to [Connect > Compliance](https://dashboard.stripe.com/connect/compliance). Under **Europe Requirement Update**, you'll see a summary of all your connected accounts in scope for the Europe verification update, broken down by status. This includes accounts that have already met the updated requirements, accounts that still have outstanding verifications, and accounts that haven't started yet. To move accounts through the update, review your connected accounts list and prioritize those with a Restricted or Restricted soon status. Select an account to see which requirements are outstanding and what information that account must provide. To avoid restrictions, the updated requirements for each account must be verified by that account's due date. Find more details on [how to review compliance information in your Dashboard.](https://docs.stripe.com/connect/dashboard/review-compliance-information) --- Can't find what you're looking for? See our FAQ for Platforms.