# Europe verification updates for connected accounts where Stripe is responsible for collecting required information

**Last updated: March 2026**
This article is for platforms where Stripe is responsible for collecting required information from your connected accounts, including Standard and Express.
## Overview
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](/questions/europe-beneficial-owner-and-director-definitions) 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.
Stripe helps your connected accounts remain compliant as verification requirements evolve. As a platform with accounts where Stripe is responsible for collecting required information, your new and existing users will see updated verification requirements.
## What does this mean for your new connected accounts?
**Starting November 2025**, new identity verification requirements for new connected accounts will take effect. These requirements will be gradually introduced for your new connected accounts. The Stripe-hosted onboarding or embedded onboarding flows will automatically update to reflect new verification requirements.
Additional requirements for ultimate beneficial ownership (UBO) and director verification will be rolled out in January 2026.
## What does this mean for your existing connected accounts?
**Starting January 2026,** we will begin outreach to existing connected accounts to collect updated or additional information, continuing throughout the year. These accounts will have ample time to complete verification requirements before any impact on their capabilities.
## **FAQ**
* [What’s changing for connected accounts in Europe?](/questions/europe-verification-updates-for-connected-accounts-where-stripe-is-responsible-for-collecting-required-information#whats-changing-for-connected-accounts-in-europe)
* [How should I prepare for this change?](/questions/europe-verification-updates-for-connected-accounts-where-stripe-is-responsible-for-collecting-required-information#how-should-i-prepare-for-this-change)
* [Is Stripe responsible for collecting information from my connected accounts?](/questions/europe-verification-updates-for-connected-accounts-where-stripe-is-responsible-for-collecting-required-information#is-stripe-responsible-for-collecting-information-from-my-connected-accounts)
* [What happens if my new connected accounts don’t provide the required information?](/questions/europe-verification-updates-for-connected-accounts-where-stripe-is-responsible-for-collecting-required-information#what-happens-if-my-new-connected-accounts-dont-provide-the-required-information)
* [How much time will my existing connected accounts have to provide information?](/questions/europe-verification-updates-for-connected-accounts-where-stripe-is-responsible-for-collecting-required-information#how-much-time-will-my-existing-connected-accounts-have-to-provide-information)
* [How can I monitor remediation success or help my connected accounts action these tasks?](/questions/europe-verification-updates-for-connected-accounts-where-stripe-is-responsible-for-collecting-required-information#how-can-i-monitor-remediation-success-or-help-my-connected-accounts-action-these-tasks)
* [Why is Stripe updating verification requirements for these accounts?](/questions/europe-verification-updates-for-connected-accounts-where-stripe-is-responsible-for-collecting-required-information#why-is-stripe-updating-verification-requirements-for-these-accounts)
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## 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](/questions/europe-beneficial-owner-and-director-definitions).
View [Acceptable verification documents by country](https://docs.stripe.com/acceptable-verification-documents?country=&document-type=identity).
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## How should I prepare for this change?
We recommend you get familiar with [what’s changing](/questions/europe-verification-updates-for-connected-accounts-where-stripe-is-responsible-for-collecting-required-information#whats-changing-for-connected-accounts-in-europe) and to review the updated requirements your new and existing connected accounts will encounter.
Stripe-hosted onboarding or embedded onboarding flows, will automatically update to reflect these changes.
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## Is Stripe responsible for collecting information from my connected accounts?
If you have connected accounts in Europe where Stripe manages onboarding, we’ll notify you when these updates to verification requirements impact your users.
If you utilize Stripe-hosted or embedded onboarding flows these flows will automatically update to reflect the latest requirements, and we'll reach out directly to your connected accounts through hosted flows or embedded components to collect the updated information.
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## What happens if my new connected accounts don’t provide the required information during onboarding?
If an account doesn't provide the required information during onboarding or by the due date listed in the user’s dashboard, their ability to accept payments and receive payouts will be paused. After an account has been paused and provides the required information, the account regains their ability to receive payouts and accept charges.  
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## How can I monitor remediation success or help my connected accounts action these tasks?
Once Stripe begins outreach to your existing connected accounts, you will be able to monitor remediation success in your Stripe Dashboard and via API.
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## Why is Stripe updating verification requirements for these accounts?
Stripe regularly reviews and updates its verification requirements to stay current with financial regulations, reduce fraud 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/)