Card payment: benefits, costs and consequences for an SME
Introduction
The customer takes out their bank card. You don't have a terminal. They pay in cash... or not at all. This situation remains common in Swiss shops and SMEs, despite changing payment habits.
Accepting card payments is no longer an option for many businesses. It's a customer expectation. But installing a payment terminal represents a cost: commission on each transaction, monthly fees, equipment, acquirer contract with your bank or a specialist provider.
For an SME, these card payment fees can quickly weigh on margins. Especially if you don't understand the pricing structure. Between variable percentages, fixed fees and payment delays, it's difficult to anticipate the real cost.
This guide presents the different types of solutions available in Switzerland, details the fees to expect and offers a concrete simulation. You'll also discover how to compare providers and which arguments to use to convince internally. The objective: make an informed decision that improves your cash flow management rather than complicating it.
📌 Summary (TL;DR)
Card payments involve transaction fees (1.5% to 3% depending on card type), fixed monthly costs (terminal rental, acquirer contract) and sometimes hidden fees. Payment delays vary from 24 hours to 5 days depending on providers. To choose the right solution, compare overall pricing, check contractual conditions and favour transparency.
📚 Table of contents
Why accept card payments in 2025?
Customer expectations have evolved. In 2025, contactless payment has become the norm, and refusing cards can cost sales.
For an SME, accepting card payments offers several concrete advantages:
- Increased average basket: customers generally spend more when they pay by card
- Reduced bad debts: payment is immediate and guaranteed
- Faster collections: no need to wait 30 days for an invoice to be paid
- Improved customer experience: simplicity and speed at checkout
Cards are becoming an expected standard, just like other modern payment methods.
The different types of card payment solutions
Swiss SMEs can choose between several types of solutions depending on their business:
Fixed terminals: installed at point of sale, they suit businesses with a stable location (shops, restaurants).
Mobile terminals: portable and connected via 4G or Bluetooth, they adapt to home services, markets or events.
Online payment: integration on a website for e-commerce, with secure 3D Secure solutions.
Integrated solutions: combination of several channels (physical + online) with a single acquirer contract and centralised management.
The choice depends on your business model and mobility needs.
How much does card payment really cost?
The cost of card payment consists of several elements that add up. Understanding this structure is essential to assess the real impact on your margin.
Three main categories of fees make up the total cost:
- Transaction fees (commission on each payment)
- Fixed monthly costs (rental, subscription)
- Hidden fees (setup, termination, chargebacks)
A complete analysis must take all these elements into account to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Transaction fees
The terminal commission represents the main cost. It breaks down into two parts:
- Interchange fees: interbank fees paid to the card issuing bank
- Acquirer commission: margin of the provider managing the terminal
In Switzerland, typical ranges are:
- Swiss debit cards (Maestro, Debit Mastercard): 1% to 1.5%
- Swiss credit cards (Visa, Mastercard): 1.5% to 2.5%
- International cards: 2% to 3%
- American Express: 2.5% to 3.5%
These rates vary according to transaction volume and negotiating power.
Fixed monthly costs
Beyond commissions, fixed fees apply:
Payment terminal:
- Rental: 30 to 80 CHF/month depending on model
- Purchase: 300 to 800 CHF (depreciation over 3-5 years)
Service subscription:
- Monthly fees: 0 to 50 CHF depending on provider
- Some providers compensate with higher commissions
Maintenance and support:
- Included or charged separately: 10 to 30 CHF/month
For a small shop, these fixed costs can represent 40 to 100 CHF monthly, regardless of transaction volume.
Hidden fees to watch out for
Some costs don't always appear clearly in offers:
Setup fees: 50 to 200 CHF at installation (activation, configuration).
Early termination fees: up to several hundred francs if you leave before the end of the acquirer contract.
International payment fees: additional 0.5% to 1.5% on foreign cards.
Chargeback fees: 15 to 50 CHF per chargeback (customer dispute).
Minimum monthly fees: some contracts impose a minimum commission even if you collect little.
Read the contract carefully and ask for a comprehensive list of fees.
Cost simulation for a Swiss SME
Here are three concrete scenarios to understand the real impact on your budget:
Small shop (10,000 CHF/month)
- Average commission: 2% = 200 CHF
- Fixed costs: 60 CHF
- Monthly total: 260 CHF (2.6% of turnover)
- Annual cost: 3,120 CHF
Medium shop (50,000 CHF/month)
- Average commission: 1.8% = 900 CHF
- Fixed costs: 70 CHF
- Monthly total: 970 CHF (1.94% of turnover)
- Annual cost: 11,640 CHF
Large shop (150,000 CHF/month)
- Average commission: 1.5% = 2,250 CHF
- Fixed costs: 80 CHF
- Monthly total: 2,330 CHF (1.55% of turnover)
- Annual cost: 27,960 CHF
The higher the volume, the lower the percentage of turnover thanks to economies of scale.
How to choose your card payment provider?
Choosing the right provider directly impacts your costs and cash flow. Several criteria deserve particular attention.
Don't limit yourself to the advertised rate. The real card payment fees depend on all contractual conditions.
Compare at least three offers by requesting detailed quotes. Take the time to analyse termination conditions and card payment delays before signing.
A good provider must be transparent about all fees and offer responsive customer support in case of technical problems.
Comparing offers: the essential points
Here are the criteria to check systematically:
Real commission rate: beware of mentions "from". Ask for the rate applicable to your profile and volume.
Commitment period: some contracts bind you for 24 or 36 months with exit penalties.
Termination conditions: notice period (often 3 months) and possible fees.
Fund payment delays: D+1, D+2 or D+3? The impact on your cash flow is not negligible.
Support quality: availability (hours, languages), responsiveness in case of breakdown.
Request written quotes and compare line by line.
The main providers in Switzerland
The Swiss market has several types of players:
Traditional banks (UBS, Credit Suisse, PostFinance, cantonal banks): comprehensive solutions but sometimes more expensive, suited to established SMEs.
Specialist providers (SumUp, Zettle, Twint): simple offers with little commitment, ideal for small volumes or start-ups.
Payment aggregators (Stripe, Datatrans, Worldline): technical solutions for e-commerce and advanced integrations.
Each type of provider corresponds to a different company profile. Self-employed people often favour simplicity, whilst established SMEs seek integration with their accounting.
Payment delays: how long to receive your money?
Card payment delays vary according to providers and directly impact your cash flow.
Standard delays:
- D+1: payment the next day (premium offers or large volumes)
- D+2: most common delay in Switzerland
- D+3: some cheaper providers apply this delay
For an SME with card turnover of 50,000 CHF/month, the difference between D+1 and D+3 represents approximately 3,300 CHF permanently tied up.
This parameter is crucial for your cash flow management, especially if your margins are tight or your suppliers demanding on deadlines.
Arguments to convince internally to adopt card payment
If your company hesitates to take the plunge, here's how to present the case:
Break-even calculation: with an average basket of 80 CHF and a 2% commission, you pay 1.60 CHF per transaction. If this avoids a single unpaid invoice of 500 CHF per year, the investment is profitable.
Reduced risk of bad debts: card acceptance guarantees immediate payment, unlike 30-day invoicing.
Administrative time saving: fewer reminders, less debt management, less time spent on follow-ups.
Competitive advantage: your competitors probably already accept cards. Not offering it can lose you customers.
Putting into perspective: compare the 2% cost with a 2% discount that would cost 36% in annualised rate. Card payment is often more advantageous.
Accepting card payments represents a measurable investment for your SME. Between transaction fees of 1.5% to 3%, fixed monthly costs and payment delays, it's essential to calculate the real impact on your cash flow before committing.
The good news: solutions have become democratised. Mobile terminals and systems without commitment now allow small structures to test card payment without taking significant financial risk. The essential thing remains to compare offers according to your actual transaction volume and negotiate conditions suited to your business.
Card payment facilitates collection, but doesn't solve everything. To effectively track your payments and automatically chase unpaid invoices, a structured invoicing solution remains essential. Discover how to combine several payment methods to optimise your financial management.
