Payment transactions Goodbye payment slips, hello QR-bill.
Orange and red payment slips will be discontinued on 30 September 2022. Switch to the new QR-bill today.
For years, they have been part of every bill: the orange payment slip with reference number – used by most companies – and its red counterpart, without reference number. Including sub-versions, there were no fewer than seven distinct payment slips in circulation in Switzerland.
This has now changed. Since 30 June 2020, companies are gradually switching to the QR-bill – with the “Swiss QR Code” as central element. This modernization of payment transactions offers many benefits while still allowing payment in the usual ways. Whether via UBS E-Banking, UBS Mobile Banking App or at a branch, we are ready for the switch.
The benefits of QR-bills
The benefits of QR-bills
Companies have it easier because they will be able to create invoices on normal black-and-white printers. They will only need to use standard perforated paper if they want to send hardcopy invoices, meaning special paper will no longer be required. The QR-bill also offers many benefits to you as a private client:
- You can scan the QR code quickly and easily with your smartphone: no need to type in the account and reference number any more.
- All relevant payment information is integrated in the QR code, as well as being clearly printed on the QR payment part.
- Black on white, bills are easier to read – for the human eye as well as for your smartphone camera.
- Instead of seven variants, there will be only one QR-bill.
- It will still be up to you how and when to pay the invoice, whether via UBS Mobile Banking, in UBS E-Banking, at a UBS Multimat in your branch, by post, e.g., with UBS easy, or also at the post office.
Three myths about QR-bills
Three myths about QR-bills
QR-bills can only be paid digitally.
Not true. You can also pay a QR-bill at a UBS Multimat, at a post office, or using the UBS easy form.
QR-bills can only be paid using a QR-compatible end device.
Not true. QR-bills can also be entered manually in UBS E-Banking.
Existing standing orders will no longer be valid from 1 October 2022.
True. If your billers are still invoicing you using conventional payment slips, ask them for a QR-bill and use it to enter a new standing order in UBS Digital Banking or at a UBS Multimat.
How to pay a QR-bill
How to pay a QR-bill
You decide how to pay a QR-bill. As a UBS client you have six different options.
- In the UBS Mobile Banking App – simply scan the bill conveniently anywhere and anytime.
- In UBS E-Banking – scan it using either a scanner or your computer's built-in camera, or enter it manually.*
- Enter it using your own payment software and then send it to UBS.
- Scan it at a UBS Multimat – UBS’s electronic counter.
- Send it to UBS by mail using the UBS easy payment order form.
- Pay it in cash or using a payment card at the post office.
*Important: security confirmation in UBS Digital Banking
The history of the payment slip
The history of the payment slip
Today, payment slips are used around 800 million times a year in Switzerland. Approximately Around 15 percent of all payment orders are still settled in cash at the post office. Payment slips have a long history in this country going back more than 110 years.
Source: Kulturgeschichte des Geldflusses, Verlag SKV, Zürich
The green payment slip was introduced in 1906. Do you remember it? It remained in use almost unchanged until 1986.
In 1971, the PTT as it was then called launched the blue payment slip which enabled fully automated payment processing. It was in use for 30 years.
In 1986, the post office and the banks issued a new common green payment slip.
The red payment slip can also be scanned; it replaced the final version of the green payment slip in 1998.
In 2001, the orange payment slip by banks and Postfinance replaced the blue payment slip.
