SwissQR payment slip and payload structure

This article explains what a QR code is in the context of the SwissQR payment slip, how the payload is structured, and how TWINT is integrated as an alternative payment method.

Overview

A QR code is a visual representation of encoded data in a square matrix of black and white elements. In the context of payments, this encoded data is referred to as the payload.

For SwissQR payment slips, this payload follows a strict standard known as SwissQR. This ensures that all banks and payment tools can process QR invoices consistently and reliably.

The official QR payment slip rulebook, published by SIX in 2019, defines this structure and can be consulted for full technical details.

Key points

• A QR code visualises encoded payment data (payload)
• SwissQR payment slips follow the SwissQR standard
• The standard ensures compatibility across banks and systems
• TWINT can be added as an alternative payment method
• Payload structure follows a fixed format

QR payment slip payload structure

The payload of a SwissQR payment slip contains structured payment data across defined lines.

Header

• Line 1–3
  Contains general information about the QR code and format version

Beneficiary account

• Line 4
  IBAN or QR-IBAN of the payment recipient

Payee information

• Line 5–11
  Address type and address details of the payee

Payment amount

• Line 19–20
  Payment amount and currency

Payer information

• Line 21–27
  Address type and address details of the payer

Payment reference

• Line 28–29
  Reference type and reference number

Trailer

• Line 31
  Technical end marker of the payment data

Alternative procedures

• Line 33–34
  Parameters for alternative payment methods (e.g. TWINT)

TWINT as an alternative payment method

The SwissQR standard allows alternative payment methods to be added in line 33 and 34 of the payload.

RaiseNow, in collaboration with TWINT, enables QR payment slips to support TWINT payments by adding the required parameters from the donation form into these fields.

This allows a single QR payment slip to support both:

• Traditional bank transfers
• TWINT payments