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Created on 18.11.2022 | Updated on 22.12.2023

A joyful festive season thanks to (SEPA) transfers from Switzerland

Would you like to surprise your relatives or friends abroad with a sum of money, pay for your holiday apartment in Italy or settle the invoice for a gift you ordered online from a faraway country? This is quick and easy with an international payment. SEPA transfers in euros from Switzerland to 36 SEPA countries are even free of charge via e-finance.

For whatever reason you want to transfer money abroad in the pre-Christmas period, you can make your transfers from Switzerland to abroad with just a few clicks. And the money is already on its way to the recipient’s account. Our examples show how it works:

Example 1: Transferring the rent for the Christmas holiday apartment in Italy

For once, the Klein family will spend the festive season by the sea in Italy this year, instead of in the Swiss mountains. They’ve had a tip from a friend about a holiday apartment. The private Italian landlady has asked them to transfer the rent into her account in advance. But the Kleins have only the name and address of the landlady and the IBAN. So the Klein family isn’t sure whether these details are enough to transfer the money to the account at the Italian bank. They are also wondering how high the fees for international payments will be. Can the Klein family benefit from free SEPA transfers in euros even in Switzerland?

Tip 1: For SEPA transfers from Switzerland, only name, address and IBAN are needed

The IBAN, name and address of the account holder are sufficient for SEPA payments. The BIC is no longer required.

Tip 2: SEPA payments from Switzerland to the SEPA area via e-finance are free of charge

International payments in euros from Switzerland to Italy and 26 other EU countries, as well as to Andorra, the UK, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino and Vatican City are free for you as a customer in e-finance. SEPA is the abbreviation for Single Euro Payments Area − the standardized payment region that enables easy and transparent payment transactions in Europe. E-finance automatically defines whether a SEPA payment is possible or not based on the information you enter. Please note: SEPA transfers from Switzerland are available only in euros (not in francs). 

Example 2: Last-minute Christmas money transfer to England

Rose has been living in Switzerland for two years and has to work over Christmas. A visit to her family in London over the festive season is sadly out of the question this year. She has been so busy at work that she has even neglected to get and send presents in time. But she still wants to surprise her family with some money that she will send via bank transfer to her parents’ family account. But time is short. It is already 22 December. How long does the transfer take?

Tip: The “urgent” option for last-minute transfers

With international payments worldwide (Giro international worldwide), the credit takes one to two working days. It’s even quicker with the “urgent” option. When the acceptance cut-off time is met, the amount is usually transferred on the same working day. The “urgent” option is available for transfers in EUR, USD, CHF, CAD, GBP, NOK, SEK, CZK, HUF, PLN and ZAR.

Example 4: Paying an invoice for a vintage gift from the USA

Vivienne’s boyfriend collects radios from the 1950s and loves American design. On the website of a vintage retailer in the USA, Vivienne has found a collector’s item that would be perfect for her loved one. According to the retailer, the perfect Christmas gift will be shipped as soon as the amount is paid in advance. How can Vivienne ensure that the agreed amount gets to the retailer?

Tip: Manage the charges for Giro international

The fees for international payments via e-finance outside of the SEPA region are two francs (for Giro international worldwide) or 12 francs (for Giro international urgent). Third-party fees can also arise per dispatch that are charged by the foreign banks involved. You have the option of paying these charges so that the recipient receives the full amount. To do this, select the option “Charges to be paid by originator”. This option is not available for SEPA transfers from Switzerland to the SEPA area, as deductions are not permitted from the transfer amount.

How international payments work in e-finance

  • Log in to your e-finance
  • Under “Payments”, enter the international IBAN or account number for the recipient
  • Enter the required details such as the address, amount and the urgency of the transfer (Option “urgent”)
  • PostFinance automatically selects the optimal and least expensive option for you.
  • PostFinance automatically selects the best and most favourable route for you from Switzerland to abroad – for example, SEPA transfer
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