eBill: the future of electronic invoicing in Switzerland
Introduction
The orange and red payment slips disappeared in 2020, replaced by the QR-invoice. But the digitalisation of invoicing in Switzerland doesn't stop there. eBill represents the next step: a fully electronic system that eliminates paper and automates the process from end to end.
Developed by Swiss banks and SIX, eBill allows businesses to send invoices directly to their customers' e-banking. No more need to send PDFs by email or postal mail. The customer receives the invoice in their usual banking interface and can pay it with one click. Simple, fast, secure.
For SMEs and freelancers, eBill promises tangible benefits: reduced payment times, process automation, fewer input errors and improved cash flow. But how does this system really work? What are the prerequisites for adopting it? And above all, is it relevant for your business?
This guide presents eBill from all angles: technical operation, practical advantages, implementation steps and challenges to anticipate. Whether you're a freelancer, SME or simply curious to understand the future of invoicing in Switzerland, you'll find the concrete answers you need here.
📌 Summary (TL;DR)
eBill is the electronic invoicing standard developed by Swiss banks. It allows invoices to be sent and received directly via e-banking, offering automation, time savings and improved cash flow. Complementary to the QR-invoice, eBill requires registration and an appropriate technical solution, but its adoption remains gradual due to certain limitations and customer equipment rates.
📚 Table of contents
- What is eBill?
- The Swiss context of electronic invoicing
- The advantages of eBill for businesses
- The advantages of eBill for customers (debtors)
- How does sending eBill work?
- How to receive and pay eBills?
- Implementing eBill in your business: the steps
- eBill vs QR-invoice: complementary, not competitors
- The challenges and limitations of eBill
- The future of eBill and electronic invoicing in Switzerland
What is eBill?
eBill is the electronic invoicing standard developed by SIX and supported by the main Swiss banks. The principle is simple: the invoice is sent directly to the customer's e-banking, where they can view and pay it with one click.
Unlike a QR-invoice sent by post or PDF by email, eBill eliminates all manual entry. The customer receives a notification, checks the invoice in their usual banking interface, and validates the payment. No manipulation of physical or external digital documents.
This integrated banking system guarantees secure transmission of invoicing data and radically simplifies the process for both parties.
The Swiss context of electronic invoicing
Switzerland has gradually digitalised its invoicing: from orange and red payment slips to the QR-invoice in 2020, then to eBill as an electronic transmission channel.
Today, around 3 million Swiss people use eBill, and more than 10,000 companies issue invoices via this channel. Authorities and banks actively encourage this adoption to reduce administrative costs and accelerate payments.
eBill is part of a national strategy to digitalise financial processes, aiming to position Switzerland as a leader in electronic invoicing in Europe.
The advantages of eBill for businesses
Adopting eBill tangibly transforms invoicing management. The benefits affect operational efficiency, cash flow and data quality.
For SMEs and freelancers, these advantages translate into less time spent on administration and more financial predictability. The following sections detail these concrete benefits.
Time savings and automation
With eBill, no more printing, envelopes and stamps. Sending is instantaneous, and the invoice arrives directly in the customer's e-banking.
Tracking is automated: you know when the invoice has been viewed and paid, without manual follow-up. This automated invoicing drastically reduces repetitive tasks.
For a business that issues 50 invoices per month, the time saving amounts to hours each week.
Improved cash flow
Customers pay faster with eBill: one click is enough, without manual entry or trips to the post office. Average payment times decrease significantly.
Less waiting means fewer reminders needed and more predictable cash flow. For SMEs, this impact on cash flow is crucial.
A study shows that eBill invoices are paid on average 5 to 7 days faster than paper invoices.
Error reduction and compliance
Electronic transmission eliminates manual entry errors. Data is transferred directly from the invoicing system to e-banking, without human intermediary.
Compliance with Swiss standards is guaranteed by the eBill standard. Complete traceability facilitates digital archiving and audits. All mandatory legal information is automatically respected.
This reliability reduces disputes and simplifies accounting.
The advantages of eBill for customers (debtors)
For your customers, eBill centralises all their invoices in one place: their e-banking. No more searching for letters or emails.
Payment is done with one click, without manually entering references or amounts. They can schedule payments in advance and keep a complete history automatically archived.
This simplicity encourages adoption: customers who use eBill appreciate the clear overview of their invoices to pay and the complete absence of paper. It's also an appreciated ecological gesture.
How does sending eBill work?
Sending an invoice via eBill requires technical infrastructure, but the process is then smooth and fast.
The main steps include registration as an issuer, technical integration with your invoicing system, then electronic transmission of invoices. The following subsections detail each step.
Prerequisites and registration
To issue eBills, you must register with SIX or an approved service provider. You receive a unique eBill identifier that identifies your business.
Costs vary: free registration or with fees depending on volume. Some invoicing software includes eBill access in their subscription. SIX generally charges per transaction (a few centimes per invoice).
Total transparency: check the rates before committing.
Creating and sending the invoice
You create your invoice in your usual software, which must be eBill compatible. The software automatically transmits the data via the eBill infrastructure.
The customer receives a notification in their e-banking, generally within a few minutes. They can view the invoice immediately and decide to pay.
The processing time is almost instantaneous, unlike the 2-3 days of postal mail.
How to receive and pay eBills?
On the customer side, activating eBill is done in a few clicks in e-banking. Most Swiss banks (PostFinance, UBS, Credit Suisse, Raiffeisen, etc.) offer this service.
The customer must then subscribe to invoices from each issuer: they agree to receive your invoices electronically. Once subscribed, they receive a notification for each new invoice.
They view the invoice, check the details, and pay with one click. They can also schedule payment for a later date. Archiving is automatic in the banking history.
Implementing eBill in your business: the steps
Adopting eBill requires preparation, but the process is accessible even for small structures.
The following sections detail the key steps: assessing relevance, choosing the appropriate technical solution, and supporting your teams and customers through the transition.
Assessing relevance for your activity
eBill is particularly suited to businesses with recurring invoices (subscriptions, regular services) and a large volume of customers in Switzerland.
B2C benefits more from eBill than B2B, as individuals use e-banking extensively. Assess your customers' profile: do they actively use their online banking?
For 10 invoices per month, the investment may be premature. For 100+, it's relevant.
Choosing your technical solution
Several options are available: direct integration with SIX (for large structures), going through compatible invoicing software, or using an intermediary service provider.
Selection criteria: your invoice volume, your budget, and your existing infrastructure. Some solutions like BePaid integrate or plan to integrate eBill.
Compare recurring costs (per transaction) and installation fees before deciding.
Training your teams and informing your customers
Train your team on the new process: creation, sending, tracking via eBill. Changing habits requires internal support.
On the customer side, clearly communicate the advantages: simplified payment, time savings, security. Guide them to activate eBill in their e-banking.
Plan a transition period where you offer several channels (paper, PDF, eBill) in parallel.
eBill vs QR-invoice: complementary, not competitors
Common confusion: eBill and QR-invoice are not alternatives, but complementary standards.
The QR-invoice is an invoice format with QR-code containing payment data. It can be sent by post, PDF or via eBill.
eBill is an electronic transmission channel that can use the QR-invoice format. Both coexist: use the QR-invoice for all your customers, and add eBill as a sending channel for those who have activated it.
This combination maximises compliance and efficiency.
The challenges and limitations of eBill
Let's be transparent: eBill is not yet adopted by all customers. Many don't actively use e-banking or haven't activated the eBill function.
Implementation costs can be significant for some small businesses. The necessary technical infrastructure requires an initial investment and maintenance.
You also depend on the banking infrastructure and SIX. Finally, eBill is not suitable for customers without access to e-banking (elderly people, some foreigners). Always keep an alternative.
The future of eBill and electronic invoicing in Switzerland
eBill adoption targets are ambitious: banks and SIX aim for several million additional users in the coming years.
The standard is evolving: improved interoperability, integration with other management systems, possible harmonisation with European e-invoicing standards.
For Swiss SMEs, the digitalisation of invoicing is becoming a competitive issue. eBill is gradually establishing itself as the reference standard, particularly for B2C.
Anticipating this transition now positions your business favourably for the years to come.
eBill represents a major evolution in electronic invoicing in Switzerland. This banking standard offers concrete advantages: complete process automation, improved cash flow thanks to faster payments, and significant reduction in input errors. For your customers, it's the simplicity of payment in a few clicks from their e-banking.
eBill and QR-invoice are not opposed: they complement each other. The QR-invoice remains essential for all your customers, whilst eBill optimises the experience for those who use it. The gradual adoption of this system requires an assessment of your needs and the choice of an appropriate technical solution.
Whether you opt for eBill or the classic QR-invoice, the essential thing remains the compliance and efficiency of your invoicing process. BePaid allows you to create invoices compliant with Swiss standards in a few clicks, with automatic payment tracking and reminders. Try BePaid for free and simplify your invoicing today.
