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Swiss QR IBAN Example

Cracking the Code of QR-bill Payments!

In Switzerland, the new QR-bill system has modernized how invoices are paid.

Every QR-bill includes a scannable QR code containing all the payment details, including the bank account number. That account number is often a special type of IBAN called the Swiss QR IBAN.

This article explains what a QR IBAN is, provides an example, and shows how to pay a Swiss QR invoice step by step. As of 30 September 2022, QR-bills officially replaced the old orange and red payment slips in Switzerland, making QR code payments the new norm!

A regular Swiss IBAN

CH55 0070 0114 8051 7281 7

A QR-bill IBAN

CH55 3002 4123 4567 8901 2

What is a QR-bill and a QR IBAN?

Standard invoice format

A QR-bill is the standard invoice format in Switzerland (introduced in 2020) that includes a payment section with a QR code.

Key payment information

The QR code encodes all the key payment information – the payee’s account, amount, reference, etc. – in a format readable by banking apps.

Dedicated IBAN

Within that QR code is the QR IBAN – a special bank account number used exclusively for QR-bill payments. It’s essentially a dedicated IBAN that tells the bank a structured QR reference is present.

Easy to use
Try it yourself!
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According to PostFinance

A QR-IBAN is a “special IBAN used on QR-bills with a QR reference” and you must use a QR-IBAN whenever you include a QR reference on an invoice.

In all other respects, a QR IBAN follows the same format as a normal Swiss IBAN.

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QR IBAN vs. Standard IBAN

Spot the Difference!

Very similar

A Swiss QR IBAN looks very similar to a regular IBAN – it starts with “CH” and has the same basic structure (country code, checksum, bank code, account number).

Key difference

The key difference is that a QR IBAN uses a special bank code reserved for QR-bill transactions.
UBS Explains that aside from this code, “the only difference between the QR-IBAN and the IBAN is a different institution identification”

For example

A regular Swiss IBAN might be CH55 0070 0114 8051 7281 7, whereas a QR-bill IBAN could be CH55 30024 123456789012.

Notice the “30024” in the QR IBAN – that number falls in the range designated for QR-bills, signaling to the bank’s system that this payment is using a QR reference.

In practice, QR-IBANs must always be used together with a QR reference, while standard IBANs are used for payments with no reference or with an ISO creditor reference

How to Pay a Swiss QR Invoice (QR-bill)

One big goal of the QR-bill is to make bill payment quick and easy. Here’s how to pay a Swiss QR invoice using the QR code method

How to Login?

Open your banking app (or e-banking) – Log in to your Swiss bank’s mobile app or online banking.

How to proceed?

Scan the QR code – Use the app’s “Scan & Pay” feature to scan the code on the bill with your device’s camera. The payment fields will fill in automatically.

Verify the details?

Check that the recipient, amount, and reference number match the bill. (After scanning, the app displays these details for confirmation.)

Confirm the payment?

Approve the payment to complete the transaction.

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Breaking Down a Swiss QR IBAN Example

In our example QR IBAN CH55 30024 123456789012: CH indicates Switzerland, 55 is the checksum, 30024 is the 5-digit bank code (identifying the bank and marking the IBAN as QR-enabled), and the remaining 123456789012 is the account number.

Fact Check: Can you use a Swiss QR-bill outside Switzerland?


The QR-bill format is designed for domestic payments (Switzerland and Liechtenstein), so foreign banks won’t scan the code. However, it still contains all the info needed to pay manually from abroad. You can enter the IBAN (plus the bank’s SWIFT/BIC) and include the reference number in the international payment details to pay a Swiss QR invoice

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Why QR-bill Payments Are a Game-Changer?

The QR-bill and QR IBAN system brings several benefits

Convenience & speed

No more typing out long account or reference numbers. Scanning the QR code fills in everything within seconds, so paying a bill is much faster

Fewer errors

Automatic data capture means there’s little risk of a typo or wrong number. The electronic process ensures the details are correct every time.

Better for businesses

Companies can automate receivables. In fact, the Swiss Bankers Association noted that QR-bills make billing more efficient and eliminate the need for pre-printed slips

Easy to use
Why not!

All major Swiss banks support QR-bill payments via their apps and e-banking.

For instance, after you scan a QR-bill, the UBS mobile app lets you verify the data and simply tap “Pay” to send the money If you don’t have a smartphone handy, you can also type in the IBAN and reference from the QR-bill manually in e-banking.

You can even pay a QR-bill in person at a post office or by mail, just like the old payment slips .

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Staying Secure with QR Payments

While QR-bill payments are secure, you should still only scan codes from trusted invoices and double-check that the payment details shown after scanning match your bill. Be cautious with unexpected or suspicious QR-bills – if something looks off, confirm it with the sender before paying.

By understanding Swiss QR IBANs and the QR-bill process, you can confidently embrace this modern way of paying and billing. QR code payment in Switzerland has made transactions faster and more error-proof.

With a quick scan and a tap, settling a Swiss invoice is now hassle-free for everyone!