8 or 11 characters: which BIC length to use
The difference between an 8-character and an 11-character BIC, and what the EU regulator ACER says about adding XXX when only 8 characters are known.
Official source: ACER, Question 2.1.2 Data Field (2). Checked
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Both lengths are valid
A BIC can be 8 or 11 characters (SWIFT, ACER). The 8-character form names the institution, country and location. The 11-character form adds a branch identifier.
What an 8-character code means
The EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER), in a reporting guidance answer, says an 8-character BIC is taken to refer to the primary office. When you report one in that context, you add XXX to the end; its example turns 12345678 into 12345678XXX (ACER).
That answer is about ACER's own reporting. Other forms and banks may have their own rules. If a form asks for 11 characters and you have 8, ask the bank which branch code to use, or check what the form says.
The checker's note
When you enter 8 characters, the checker shows the same code with XXX added as a hint. It does not mean that every bank or form accepts it.
What the policy says about use on the network
For network use, each user must have at least one valid connected 8-character BIC (SWIFT). See non-connected BICs.
Left out on purpose
We do not say which length a particular bank, app or payment form requires. Follow the instructions you were given.
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