Real Swiss Invoice Examples: Professional Templates for 2026

Nearly 30% of invoices in Switzerland contain compliance errors that lead to tax complications or payment delays. The wrong template can mean missing mandatory information, incorrect VAT calculations, or incompatible QR-codes that frustrate your clients.

This guide shows you actual invoice examples from leading Swiss invoicing tools. You'll see what works, what doesn't, and how to choose the template that fits your business—whether you're a freelancer issuing your first invoice or a growing SME handling hundreds of transactions monthly.

What Makes a Swiss Invoice Legally Compliant in 2025

Before diving into examples, you need to understand what Swiss law requires on every invoice.

Mandatory Elements on Every Swiss Invoice

According to Article 26 of the Federal Act on VAT, your invoice must include:

• Complete issuer details: Your business name, full address, and UID/VAT number (if registered)
• Complete recipient details: Client's name and address
• Invoice date: When the invoice was issued
• Unique invoice number: Sequential and continuous (no gaps or duplicates)
• Service/product description: Clear explanation of what you're billing for
• Amounts: Both excluding and including VAT
• VAT breakdown: Rate (8.1% standard, 2.6% reduced) and amount
• Payment terms: Due date and payment method

Missing any of these elements can invalidate your invoice and delay payment—or worse, create problems during tax audits.

Current VAT Rates You Need to Know

• Standard rate: 8.1% (increased from 7.7% in January 2024)
• Reduced rate: 2.6% (food, books, medications, newspapers)
• Special rate: 3.8% (accommodation services)

You must register for VAT if your annual turnover exceeds CHF 100,000. Once registered, you're required to report and remit VAT digitally through the Federal Tax Administration's portal.

The 10-Year Retention Rule

Swiss law requires you to retain all invoices for at least 10 years, starting from the end of the last tax year. Digital storage is accepted, but documents must remain readable and accessible throughout this period.

What makes this template work:

The header immediately identifies the document as "Invoice" with the invoice number and date prominently displayed. Your business details sit at the top left, with client information clearly separated on the right—no confusion about who's billing whom.

The itemized services section uses a clean table format with quantity, description, unit price, and total columns. This transparency helps clients understand exactly what they're paying for. The VAT calculation appears as a separate line item, making the tax component explicit.

The integrated QR-bill sits at the bottom in the standardized payment section, complete with the Swiss cross identifier. All payment information—IBAN, reference number, amount, creditor and debtor details—is embedded in the QR code while remaining human-readable in the adjacent fields.

Best suited for: Freelancers, consultants, and solo entrepreneurs who need professional invoices without complexity. The template works particularly well for service-based businesses billing by time or fixed project fees.

Infinity.swiss: Detailed Descriptions for Project Work

Infinity's invoice template takes a more comprehensive approach, ideal for businesses that need to document complex deliverables or justify higher-value invoices.

What distinguishes this template:

The standout feature is the extensive service description area. Rather than simple line items, you can include detailed project descriptions: "Design and implementation of a modern website, user experience optimization, content management system integration..." This narrative approach helps clients understand the full scope and value of your work.

The layout uses a contemporary design with strategic color accents and clear typography. The visual hierarchy guides the eye from business details through services to payment information naturally.

Payment terms are prominently displayed: "Payment due within 30 days of invoice date." This clarity reduces payment confusion and disputes.

Best suited for: Creative agencies, web developers, consultants, and service providers working on multi-phase projects where detailed documentation adds value. Also excellent for businesses targeting corporate clients who require thorough invoicing.

Notable strengths:

• Space for comprehensive project descriptions
• Professional, modern design that impresses corporate clients
• Clear payment terms and conditions section
• AI-powered features for automated workflows

Pricing context: Starts at CHF 24/month with 2 users included—competitive for small teams.

bexio: Enterprise Features for Growing Businesses

bexio's invoice template reflects its position as Switzerland's market leader serving over 80,000 SME customers. This is a robust, feature-rich template designed for businesses that need more than basic invoicing.

What makes this template comprehensive:

The layout maintains clarity despite including more information fields. You'll find space for delivery addresses (separate from billing addresses), order references, delivery dates, and custom notes—all organized logically.

The itemized services table includes optional discount columns, making it easy to apply promotional pricing or volume discounts. Multiple VAT rates can be applied to different line items in a single invoice—essential for businesses selling both goods and services.

The template integrates seamlessly with bexio's broader ERP system, meaning inventory items, client databases, and accounting records sync automatically. This eliminates manual data entry and reduces errors.

Best suited for: SMEs with 5-50 employees, retail businesses, companies with inventory, or any business needing invoicing integrated with broader accounting and CRM functions.

Notable strengths:

• Part of comprehensive ERP system (invoicing, accounting, inventory, CRM, payroll)
• Handles complex scenarios (multiple VAT rates, discounts, partial payments)
• Swiss-specific features for VAT management and banking integration
• Robust reporting and analytics

Pricing context: Starts at CHF 35/month for 1 user—higher than basic tools but includes significantly more functionality.

Smallinvoice: Streamlined Efficiency

Smallinvoice's template emphasizes speed and efficiency. Despite a somewhat dated interface compared to newer competitors, the template itself remains functional and compliant.

What defines this approach:

The template features a compact layout that fits maximum information on a single page. This "everything at a glance" design works well for straightforward invoices without lengthy descriptions.

Personal branding options allow freelancers to prominently feature their name and contact information, giving the invoice a more personalized feel compared to corporate-focused templates.

The breakdown separates consulting fees from product expenses, useful for businesses that combine services with physical goods or software licenses.

Best suited for: Established freelancers and small businesses that prioritize efficiency over advanced features. Works well for repetitive invoicing where speed matters more than customization.

Notable strengths:

• Quick invoice creation with minimal clicks
• QR-bill generation integrated
• Direct sending via email or postal mail
• Proven track record (Swiss Fintech Award 2017)

Pricing context: Competitive pricing for basic plans, though exact rates vary based on features selected.