Switzerland took an important step towards payment digitalization with the introduction of the QR-bill (QR-Rechnung/QR-facture) in 2022. At the same time, structured electronic invoicing is gaining importance for businesses of all sizes, particularly for e-commerce companies that need efficient accounting processes.
QR-Bill
The QR-bill fully replaced the old payment slips (ES/ESR). It contains a Swiss QR Code with all payment information that can be automatically read by banking apps and accounting software. For e-commerce businesses, integration into accounting software and ERP systems is essential. The QR-bill supports IBAN payments and QR-IBAN (with structured reference) for automated payment reconciliation.
Technical Implementation
QR-bills can be generated through various channels: directly from accounting software (Bexio, Abacus, Klara), through specialized APIs, or as PDF attachments in emails. For online shops, automatic generation at order completion is recommended. The Swiss QR Code contains the payment recipient, IBAN, amount, currency (CHF or EUR) and an optional reference number for matching payments to orders.
ZUGFeRD / Factur-X
ZUGFeRD is a hybrid invoice format also widespread in Switzerland. It combines a human-readable PDF with machine-readable XML and is compatible with the European EN 16931 standard. For Swiss businesses with EU business relationships, ZUGFeRD/Factur-X is particularly relevant as many EU countries increasingly require structured e-invoices for cross-border trade compliance.
ZUGFeRD Profiles
ZUGFeRD offers several profiles: Minimum, Basic, Comfort and Extended. For Swiss e-commerce, the Basic profile is usually sufficient. The Extended profile is used for complex B2B transactions with detailed line-item data and additional business terms.
Peppol Network
The Peppol network enables electronic invoice exchange through standardized Access Points. Switzerland is a Peppol member and promotes its use for B2G and B2B transactions. Businesses can send invoices to all connected trading partners via a Peppol Access Point. For suppliers to the public sector, Peppol is increasingly becoming a prerequisite for doing business.
Future of E-Invoicing
Switzerland does not plan a general e-invoicing mandate like some EU countries (such as Italy or France), but promotes voluntary adoption. For businesses with EU trade, compatibility with EU standards is important as the EU-wide e-invoicing mandate is being phased in from 2028. Early adoption of structured e-invoicing gives Swiss businesses a clear competitive advantage in cross-border trade and compliance. Zunapro implements QR-bill, ZUGFeRD and Peppol connections for Swiss e-commerce businesses and ensures seamless integration into existing accounting and ERP systems for fully automated invoice processing.
