# Supported Schemes

Source: https://docs.gocardless.com/docs/api-reference/schemes

# Supported Schemes

GoCardless supports a range of direct debit schemes and alternative payment methods across multiple countries. Each scheme has its own rules, timelines, and supported countries.

> **Warning:**
> SEPA Core does not currently support all Baltic state banks. If you need to collect from Estonia,
>   Latvia, or Lithuania, check availability with GoCardless before proceeding.

## Direct Debit Schemes

| Scheme               | Region         | Countries                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| -------------------- | -------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Bacs**             | United Kingdom | United Kingdom                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| **SEPA Core**        | Europe         | Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain |
| **ACH**              | United States  | United States                                                                                                                                                                                   |
| **Autogiro**         | Sweden         | Sweden                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| **Betalingsservice** | Denmark        | Denmark                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| **BECS**             | Australia      | Australia                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| **BECS NZ**          | New Zealand    | New Zealand                                                                                                                                                                                     |
| **PAD**              | Canada         | Canada                                                                                                                                                                                          |

## Alternative Payment Methods

These methods are not direct debit schemes but are available through the GoCardless platform as alternatives.

| Method                 | Region         | Notes                                                             |
| ---------------------- | -------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **PayTo** \*           | Australia      | A real-time payment initiation method. Not a direct debit scheme. |
| **Faster Payments** \* | United Kingdom | A real-time bank transfer method. Not a direct debit scheme.      |

\* These are instant payment methods, not direct debit. They do not create a reusable mandate in the same way as direct debit schemes, but can be used alongside direct debit as part of a combined payment flow.

## What's next

  
#### [Character Sets](/docs/api-reference/character-sets)

Understand which characters are allowed in payment and mandate references for each scheme.

  
#### [Making Requests](/docs/api-reference/making-requests)

Learn how to authenticate and structure API requests.