A payment QR code lets someone pay you in a couple of taps: they scan it with their phone camera, land directly on a pre-filled payment page, and confirm. No typing an IBAN, no searching for your PayPal handle, no manual entry of an amount.
LibreQR supports several payment QR formats, and each one is built for a different region and payment rail. Here's what each one actually does, and how to create it.
PayPal QR Codes
A PayPal QR code encodes a direct PayPal link, so it works pretty much anywhere PayPal is available. You can choose between three modes: Buy now (fixed price, single item), Add to cart (for a shop flow), or Donation (open or suggested amount).
- Open the QR generator and select the PayPal type.
- Enter your PayPal email, the type (buy now / add to cart / donation), the product title, currency and price.
- Optionally set a "thank you" URL and a "cancel" URL to redirect the buyer afterwards.
- Generate, customize the design, and download your QR code.
EPC QR Codes (SEPA Bank Transfer)
EPC is the standard QR format for SEPA bank transfers, widely used across the Eurozone (Spain, Germany, France, and most of the EU). Scanning an EPC QR code with a banking app pre-fills the recipient IBAN, name, amount and reference — the payer just confirms the transfer in their own bank app.
This is especially useful for invoices: instead of writing your IBAN in an email and hoping for no typos, you attach a QR code that fills everything in automatically.
- Ideal for: invoices, rent, association fees, one-off transfers between individuals.
- Requires: the payer to use a European banking app that supports EPC QR codes (most major banks do).
- Not usable outside the SEPA area.
PIX QR Codes (Brazil)
PIX is Brazil's instant payment system, run by the Central Bank of Brazil, and it's the standard way to pay in shops, markets and between individuals there. A PIX QR code encodes the recipient's PIX key and, optionally, a fixed amount — the payer scans it from their bank or payment app and the transfer is instant.
This type only works within Brazil's PIX network — it's not a general substitute for PayPal or SEPA transfers outside the country.
UPI QR Codes (India)
UPI (Unified Payments Interface) is India's real-time payment network. A UPI QR code lets any UPI app (used by hundreds of millions of people in India) scan and pay instantly, without sharing bank details.
Where to Use Payment QR Codes
- A market stall or food truck accepting instant payments without a card reader.
- An invoice PDF with an EPC QR code so the client can pay in one scan.
- A donation box or charity flyer with a PayPal donation QR code.
- A small shop counter with a printed QR code for quick checkout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to pay with a QR code? Yes — the QR code only encodes payment details (like an IBAN or a PayPal link), never your banking password. The payer always confirms the payment inside their own trusted banking or payment app.
Does the payer need a special app? For PayPal, they need a PayPal account or card; for EPC, any European banking app that supports SEPA transfers; for PIX, any Brazilian bank or payment app; for UPI, any UPI-enabled app in India.
Can I reuse the same QR code for different amounts? With EPC and PayPal you can choose whether to fix the amount or leave it open. Making a QR code dynamic also lets you update the destination later without reprinting it.
