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Created on 04.07.2023

Find out how to pay QR-bills or create them yourself

How can you pay a QR-bill? How do you scan the QR-bill’s QR code in the PostFinance App or on your PC? What options exist for creating QR-bills? This article explains all you need to know.

As QR-bills – the successors to the red and orange inpayment slips – are so practical, users have quickly grown accustomed to them. The QR-bill’s distinctive feature is the black-and-white QR code with the Swiss cross in the middle. It stores all relevant payment data digitally, which means that processing of invoices and payments is largely digitized. The major benefit of QR-bills in private use is that they’re just so easy to scan, and you can even generate them yourself if you need to. We answer the key questions on the QR-bill in this article.

What components does the QR-bill consist of?

A QR-bill consists of an invoice and a detachable payment part, which includes the receipt. The invoice and payment part may be either on one page or on separate pages. If the QR-bill consists of one page, the invoice takes up two thirds of the page and the payment part one third. Donation organizations in particular often enclose only payment parts, including the receipt, with their letters.

Example of a QR-bill showing the detachable receipt and payment part with the text element and QR code.
This example shows the detachable receipt and payment part of a QR-bill. The payment part contains all the information required for payment – both in text and in coded format in the Swiss QR Code.

How do I pay a QR-bill?

You can pay the QR-bill in different ways – via our digital channels, at the counter in Swiss Post branches or by payment order sent by post.

How do I pay a QR-bill with the PostFinance App?

The easiest way is on your mobile via the PostFinance App: open the app on your smartphone, go to “Payments” in the menu and scan the QR code on the payment part or upload a digitally received invoice file (e. g. PDF). If the QR code can’t be read, you can enter the payment information manually. You can find this information as text next to the QR code on the payment part.

How do I pay a QR-bill on the PC?

Log on to e-finance and select the function “Pay QR-bill” on the “Enter payment” tile. QR-bills can be scanned from three different sources: “PDF/file” for uploading QR-bills received electronically (e.g. as a PDF attachment sent to an e-mail address), “Camera” for scanning paper-based bills using a webcam, or “Slip scanner” if there is a large number of QR-bills. If the system doesn’t recognize the QR code, enter the payment information manually into the payment screen in e-finance. You can find this information as text next to the QR code on the payment part.

Tip

You can choose whether to execute the payment as an individual or standing order. Standing orders are ideal for recurring payments of fixed amounts (e.g. rent).

Useful information

With eBill – provided the invoice issuer offers this option – you no longer receive invoices by post or e-mail, but instead directly in e-finance, where you can check and pay them in a few clicks. eBill is easy to set up by yourself.

QR-bills can be paid at the counter in Swiss Post branches, at terminals for independent invoice payment and via The link will open in a new window Swiss Post’s home service at swisspost.ch. If you’ve received the QR-bill by e-mail, print it out scaled to 100% so that the reader can recognize the QR code. For the payment, please submit only the payment part with the receipt that you have already detached. If you use the yellow receipt booklet for the receipt, then you have to submit only the payment part.

Please note that costs are incurred when paying in QR-bills at the counter in Swiss Post branches, and these are charged to the payment recipient. They have the option of reversing the costs so that you are charged. That’s why we recommend avoiding such inpayments – if possible – and using the PostFinance App or e-finance instead.

There’s also the option of transferring or donating amounts at the counter in Swiss Post branches without having a QR-bill with a fixed amount. You have to provide the counter staff verbally with all the invoice details required – this includes at least

  • The IBAN/reference number (if available)
  • The amount you’d like to transfer
  • The recipient’s name
  • The recipient’s postcode/location

By post as a payment order

You submit the detached payment part (without receipt) to PostFinance by post, via payment order in the envelope – and we’ll execute the payments for you.

Can I pay a QR-bill without a working camera?

Yes. If you’re unable to scan the QR code or the recognition doesn’t work, you can type the details required into the payment screen in the PostFinance App or in e-finance. All the data required is printed on the payment part in text form next to the QR code.

How do I create QR-bills?

Do you need to send an invoice yourself? You can create individual QR-bills very easily using PostFinance’s QR generator. You can find it at postfinance.ch/qr-code-generator and in e-finance.

If it’s not just individual QR-bills you need to send, but small volumes of up to 50 items, you can have them created at Swiss Post branches for a charge.

Can I issue blank/neutral QR payment parts that invoice recipients can complete themselves?

No, such QR payment parts are not available or are not permitted. But it’s very easy to create QR-bills with the QR generator at postfinance.ch or directly in e-finance for online customers.

Is the QR payment part still correct even if the invoice amount and payee details are not provided?

Yes, as the invoice amount and payment recipient details do not necessarily have to be indicated by the invoice issuer. Simply enter these details by hand before making the payment.

How to pay invoices online

On a smartphone with the PostFinance App, on a PC in e-finance, with a camera or with a document reader: scanning or importing QR-bills is really easy – whether you’ve received the invoice by post or digitally via e-mail. On our “How to pay QR-bills” page, we show you how it works – with lots of great tips and step-by-step instructions.

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