Online payments in Switzerland: what you need to set them up for your e-commerce

E-commerce in Switzerland is growing steadily, and more and more SMEs are choosing to open their own online shop. However, to sell products or services on the web, having a site and a catalogue isn’t enough: you need to set up an electronic payment system that guarantees security, transparency and legal compliance.

Many entrepreneurs run into bureaucratic obstacles because they don’t know what data and documents are required by payment providers (such as Stripe, PayPal, Datatrans, Saferpay, PostFinance, SumUp, Twint, etc). Here we look at the requirements for setting up a payment system in Switzerland and how to prepare in the best possible way.

Why online payments require checks

Every payment provider is subject to international and Swiss regulations against fraud, money laundering and illegal transactions. For this reason, checks on the business are always carried out before an account is activated.

These checks protect both the seller and customers. Without them, it wouldn’t be possible to protect transactions or prevent an untrustworthy e-commerce business from harming consumers.

Data and documents required to set up a payment system

When applying to activate a payment gateway in Switzerland, providers usually require:

• The official company name, as registered in the Commercial Registry.
• Company number (UID), the unique Swiss identification code.
• The full address of the registered office, which must match the one officially registered.
• An impressum, a page required by Swiss law, which must contain the company’s legal and contact details (name, address, email, phone number).
• Legal status: information on the type of company (sole proprietorship, GmbH, AG, etc.).
• Identification documents for the owners: a copy of the passport or ID card of the directors or beneficial owners.
• Bank details in Switzerland or the EU, for receiving payouts.

Some providers may also ask for a recent extract from the Commercial Registry or proof of business activity.

Specific requirements of the Swiss market

In Switzerland, alongside the usual international gateways such as PayPal or Stripe, local systems such as PostFinance or Swiss banking solutions (Datatrans, Saferpay) are also widely used. These providers are very thorough when verifying data, to ensure maximum transparency.

In addition, the e-commerce site must comply with local regulations, for example:

• Clear prices in CHF, with VAT correctly shown.
• Visible and complete terms and conditions.
• Returns policy and right of withdrawal.
• A privacy policy compliant with the Swiss nFADP and the European GDPR.

If these requirements aren’t met, payment activation can be refused.

How to simplify the process

Many entrepreneurs underestimate how complex these procedures are and risk delays in opening their online shop. That’s why it’s useful to have a partner who can guide you through the bureaucratic and technical steps.

At easy4you, we support businesses in building their e-commerce site and also in setting up payments. We can help you:

• prepare all the required documents,
• configure the payment gateways correctly,
• integrate the systems on platforms such as WooCommerce, Shopify, Prestashop or Magento,
• make sure your site complies with Swiss law.

Conclusion

Setting up an online payment system in Switzerland is a legal and security requirement as well as a technical one. Having all your company data in order, a compliant site and a reliable partner lets you speed things up and start selling without any hitches.

With easy4you, you can focus on your business while we take care of the technical and bureaucratic side, making your online shop ready to receive payments in a simple, secure and fast way.