eBill is a service from SIX. The infrastructure for processing eBill is operated by SIX on behalf of the Swiss banks. eBill is offered by numerous invoice issuers (corporations, SMEs and public administration bodies).

The eBill invoices you receive contain the information needed to make the payment, such as the name of the invoice issuer, the amount and the due date, as well as a PDF version of the invoice. The PDF can be downloaded for at least 180 days after the due date.

It is free of charge to receive eBill invoices via e-banking.

With direct debit, invoice issuers debit the charges directly to an account that you have predefined in the debit authorization. When you use direct debit with right of objection, you are able to dispute any charges debited within a specified period.

You receive eBill invoices directly via your bank’s e-banking solution. You decide whether and when you pay the invoice and therefore have complete control over the process. You can set up automatic approval for your eBill invoices, if you wish.

1. Find out whether your bank supports eBill.
2. Find out whether the invoice issuers that send you invoices offer eBill.
3. Cancel the debit authorizations with your invoice issuers and notify them that going forward you would like to receive your invoices as eBill invoices.
4. On the eBill portal, select the invoice issuer you would like to receive eBill invoices from in the future. Complete the online registration form.

You receive eBill invoices securely and directly in e-banking. All you need to do is check them and approve them for payment directly online.

You receive e-mail bills to your e-mail inbox. To pay an e-mail bill, you have to enter details on the payment recipient and the long reference number in e-banking.

Yes, the eBill Portal meets the specific requirements for accessibility for people with visual, auditory, motor and cognitive limitation and has been certified as such (AA+) by “Access for all,” an independent certification authority for accessible websites and web apps in Switzerland.

You require an e-banking agreement with a financial institution that supports eBill. You can find the list of financial institutions at www.ebill.ch/en/find-bank.

At present, more than 100 financial institutions offer eBill. You can find the list of participating financial institutions at www.ebill.ch/en/find-bank.

Please ask your bank directly.

Log into your e-banking and follow the navigation path to eBill.

Please contact your financial institution directly.

You receive the activation code from SIX by e-mail when you activate eBill.

You receive the activation code by e-mail at the e-mail address you entered on the eBill portal.

The activation code is valid for 60 minutes. Once this period has expired, you can request a new activation code via the eBill portal.

The e-mail address you provided is already being used by another eBill user. Please contact your bank’s e-banking support directly.

Yes, this is possible provided you are switching from one bank that is connected to the SIX eBill infra structure to another. You can sign up within 60 days with the same email address.

This is possible provided both banks are connected to the SIX eBill infrastructure and you use the same e-mail address for both banks.

Yes, link your user account by clicking to say that you already use eBill during the eBill registration process.

You can look up and add invoice issuers directly on the eBill portal.

You have three options:

1. Add the invoice issuer directly on the eBill portal via the invoice issuer search.
2. You enter a payment instruction directly in e-banking. If the invoice issuer offers eBill, you will receive a notification that takes you directly to the registration page for eBill for this invoice issuer.
3. Activate the function “Add invoice issuers automatically”. You can find more information about this function in the corresponding section of this document.

You can usually find personal details such as customer or invoice numbers on an old invoice from the invoice issuer. Alternatively, please ask the invoice issuer directly.

Please contact the invoice issuer directly.

It’s possible that the invoice issuer does not yet offer eBill.

It may be that the invoice issuer has not yet processed your registration. Please ask the invoice issuer directly.

That depends on the date the invoice is sent.

Most banks will advise you of any new eBill invoices that have arrived when you log in to e-banking. You can also arrange to be notified by e-mail when new eBill invoices arrive. You can specify in your personal settings in the eBill portal whether you want to receive these kinds of e-mails.

Yes. If the other person is also registered with eBill, you can share invoices using eBill sharing. You can find more information on eBill sharing in the corresponding section of this document.

Yes, the invoice issuer is notified of rejections.

You receive and pay your eBill invoices directly on the eBill portal, which you access via your e-banking.

You select the desired eBill invoice, check it and then simply approve it.

No. You approve the eBill invoices for payment on a specified date. To simplify approval of the invoice, you have the option of setting up standing approvals for eBill invoices.

You can still make changes until the payment has been definitively executed. You make the changes directly in e-banking, not on the eBill portal.

It may be worthwhile to set up standing approval for eBill invoices with recurring fixed amounts. You specify the criteria for automatic approval of invoices and retain control over the payment until it is definitively executed.

Yes, just click on the button “Collective approval” and select the invoices you want to approve.

You don’t need to do anything.

Credits you receive on the eBill portal are for your information only. You will receive the actual credit according to the method agreed with the company.

You don’t need to do anything.

Generally speaking, notifications don’t involve any transfer of funds. They are issued for your information only.

After approval, you will find all your invoices in the eBill portal under “Completed”. They will stay there until definitive payment has been received.

You can see the amount immediately after approving an eBill invoice in the list of payment instructions in your e-banking.

You can download the PDF for a period of at least 180 days after the due date on the eBill portal. From April 19, 2023, the archiving period will be 730 days. After that, the details of the invoice and the PDF are deleted from the eBill portal.

Yes, you can reject an eBill invoice. Please contact the invoice issuer directly directly to explain why you’ve rejected the invoice. Otherwise you may receive a reminder

If you don’t pay an eBill invoice – e.g. because you’ve opted for an alternative method of payment – you can reject the eBill invoice (“Reject” option in the open invoice). Please contact the invoice issuer if you require payment information other than that listed on the invoice.

No, that's not possible. You can only approve or reject eBill invoices.

eBill invoices remain accessible on the eBill portal for at least 180 days after the due date. From April 19, 2023, the archiving period will be 730 days. After this period, the eBill invoices are deleted.

Outstanding eBill invoices that haven’t yet been approved remain open on the eBill portal. In this case, please contact your invoice issuers directly to arrange how to proceed with paying the invoices.

Using this function, you can indicate to invoice issuers that you would like to receive eBill invoices. Invoice issuers can look you up using your e-mail address (for private customers) or corporate identification number (for companies) and find out that you would like to receive eBill invoices. The invoice issuer can then send you eBill invoices. This function means that you do not have to manually add invoice issuers. You can block certain invoice issuers so that they cannot send you eBill invoices.

You can disable the “Add invoice issuers automatically” feature at any time by deactivating it in the eBill settings.

The invoice issuer searches for you using an e-mail address or corporate identification number, e.g. that it has saved in its customer database. If this identification matches the one you use for eBill, the invoice issuer is notified that eBill invoices can be sent in future. The invoice issuer does not receive any other data about you.

You can activate or deactivate the function in the eBill settings under “Settings”. The default option is set to manual registration with invoice issuers. In order to receive simplified eBill invoices in futures, you must first give permission for invoice issuers to find you.

Yes, you can create exceptions for invoice issuers. They will not be able to send you eBill invoices even if you have activated the “Add invoice issuers automatically” function. An overview shows the invoice issuers for which you have created an exception.

An invoice issuer can send you eBill invoices even if you have not explicitly registered with this invoice issuer.

You may still register with invoice issuers by adding them manually. You may still have to fill out registration forms.

Once you deactivate this function, invoice issuers can no longer automatically add you. You must add invoice issuers manually. However, this does not affect registrations that were created automatically.

Not all companies use eBill as a way of issuing invoices. Even if they do, not all companies support the automatic addition function. This can mean that you continue to receive paper invoices even after activating the “Add invoice issuers automatically” feature. In this case, add the invoice issuer manually or contact your invoice issuer directly to receive invoices through eBill in future.

The function needs to be activated again, because now a technical identification number will be sent to invoice issuers as well as the e-mail address, so the terms of use for the automatic addition of invoice issuers have been amended accordingly.

With a standing approval, you initiate the approval of eBill invoices from a specific company automatically according to criteria you’ve defined. You set the exact amount or the upper limit and specify when the eBill invoice should be approved in each case.

Under a standing approval, you determine the amount or the maximum amount and set the date for approving the invoices. This means you retain full control until the payment is definitively executed. 

With a direct debit, the invoice issuer debits an account that you have predefined in the debit authorization. Every time an amount is debited from this account, you receive a notification from your bank. If you don’t agree with a payment, you can lodge an objection within a defined period and receive your money back.

You can set up standing approvals directly on the eBill portal. To do this, start by selecting the eBill invoice you want to automate approval for going forward. Now select the option “Standing approval”. Then define the criteria for the standing approval.

No, a standing approval is executed only if the criteria you’ve specified are met.

Example: You set a monthly amount limit of CHF 500 for an invoice issuer.

1. The invoice issuer submits an invoice for CHF 501. The standing approval isn’t executed.
2. The invoice issuer submits three invoices:

• Invoice 1 is for CHF 300. The standing approval is executed.
• Invoice 2 is for CHF 150. The standing approval is executed.
• Invoice 3 is for CHF 100. The standing approval is not executed because invoice 3 takes the total over the amount limit of CHF 500.

A standing approval isn’t executed if the rules specified by you are not met (e.g. if the amount limit is exceeded). If you have activated notifications, you receive an e-mail or push notification if the standing approval cannot be executed. In this case you have the option of approving the eBill invoice manually.

The standing approval is executed on the predefined execution date, regardless of the original due date. If the execution date falls on a bank holiday, it is predated to the last preceding banking business day. It should be noted that the standing approval always relates to the month of the invoice’s original due date. Example: If the original due date of an invoice is September 1, 20XX, and the standing approval has been entered with the execution date “on the 25th of the month” or “at the end of the month,” then the invoice is paid on September 25 or on September 30.

With eBill sharing, you can grant another person access to your eBill user account. This person can then access all of your eBill notifications, reminders, credit and invoices and download attached PDFs. The person can also approve or reject eBill invoices for payment. A bank account belonging to the authorized person must be used for the approval process. The authorized person can also register you with the invoice issuer so that you also receive eBill invoices from these invoice issuers in future.

You can set up eBill sharing in the eBill settings. All you need is the eBill e-mail address of the person that you wish to invite and authorize.

Anyone who uses eBill can take advantage of the “eBill Sharing” feature − with the exception of companies using eBill for Business. If you would like to use eBill for Business, please contact your bank directly. With eBill for Business, you can authorize employees to manage eBill invoices on behalf of your company.

Persons you have authorized can access all of your eBill notifications, reminders, credit and invoices and download attached PDFs. They can also approve or reject eBill invoices for payment. A bank account belonging to the authorized person must be used for the approval process. Authorized persons can also register you with the invoice issuer so that you also receive eBill invoices from these invoice issuers in future. Authorized persons can view standing approvals that have already been set up but cannot make changes to these.

Invoices from other people are marked accordingly to differentiate them from your own invoices.

Invoices or reminders approved by an authorized person are marked as such. This ensures that you have an overview of which invoices have been approved by the authorized person. Registrations with companies made by the authorized person are displayed separately in the eBill portal.

Provided the notification settings have been configured accordingly, only the recipient of the invoice is informed when a new invoice is received.

Yes, you can authorize multiple people to access your eBill user account.

Yes, eBill sharing works across banks.

You are not automatically granted access to the invoices of people you have authorized. However, the person you have authorized has the option to send you an invitation of their own after accepting your invitation.

You receive an automatically generated e-mail from SIX as soon as you are invited to eBill sharing. Some banks also send push notifications to your mobile device.

You must make payment using the authorized bank account.

You can terminate the eBill sharing feature at any time. You are notified if the authorized person terminates the sharing.

Sharing rights are kept for 60 days after you deregister from eBill. During this time, you can register for eBill at a new bank and do not have to configure the sharing settings again. Sharing rights are permanently deleted after these 60 days.

If an invoice issuer offers you the option of paying your eBill invoice in installments, you will receive a notification to this effect on the eBill portal. You can then select an installment group from the multiple variants offered. An installment group contains one or more installments. When you select an installment group, all installments for the selected installment group are displayed to you in the overview of the invoice in the same way as for normal individual invoices. You can approve each of these installments individually, or you have the option of setting up a standing approval.

Payment in installments is often offered by invoice issuers for larger amounts, e.g. for tax bills. Individual invoice issuers decide whether or not it is possible to pay in installments.

Yes, you can change the e-mail address you use for receiving invoices. To do this, go to your personal settings on the eBill portal.

Please notify your bank and the invoice issuers you receive eBill invoices from that you have a new address and update your address on the eBill portal.

Please notify your bank and the invoice issuers you receive eBill invoices from that you have a new name and update your name on the eBill portal.

You can opt out of notifications for new eBill invoices in your personal settings on the eBill portal.

Quick approval allows you to approve eBill invoices directly via your online banking. You do not have to use the eBill portal.

Quick approval can only be used to approve eBill invoices. You must use the eBill portal if you want to reject an invoice or view the attached PDF.

Invoice issuers can send you invoices without stating an amount. In this case, you will be asked to enter an amount before approving the invoice. You can then approve the invoice as usual. Details on the amount due can usually be found in the PDF invoice attached.

No, the standing approval requires invoices to define an amount, which must be larger than 0 centime. Invoices without amounts are thus not covered by the automatic standing approval.

Yes. You can deregister from eBill with the invoice issuers you’ve signed up with on the eBill portal. If you would like to deregister from eBill completely, and no function is available in E-Banking,  please contact your bank.

No, when you stop using eBill, the invoice issuers in question are not notified.

You can notify the invoice issuers by deregistering from eBill with them on the eBill portal.

Your e-mail address is used to unequivocally identify you as a bill recipient for eBill. On request, you can receive additional information to this e-mail address, for example notifications about newly arrived eBill invoices.

Your address is notified to companies when you register for eBill so they can unequivocally identify you.

All banks as well as SIX are obliged to maintain confidentiality over the data they save and to use this data solely in relation to the provision of the eBill service.

eBill is subject to the same comprehensive, industry-wide security standards and data protection guidelines as e-banking. In the eBill system, great emphasis is placed on the protection of data when it is stored and transmitted: the latest data protection procedures are applied in accordance with the e-banking standards of Swiss banks.

eBill for Business is intended to allow SMEs to process eBill invoices directly in online banking or seamlessly in their own business software.

Multiple employees can be authorized to process eBill invoices in online banking, viewing, approving or rejecting eBill invoices on the company’s behalf.

For companies with their own business software, eBill invoices are sent directly by way of established channels such as EBICS.

eBill for business is available to companies and entities similar to companies, although not yet every bank offers it. Please contact your relationship manager directly if you have any questions about the function.

The process for setting up the function varies according to the individual bank. Please contact your bank’s relationship manager directly.

Authorized employees can view, check and subsequently approve or reject invoices for the company using an account. Authorized employees can register the company with additional invoice issuers to receive eBill invoices in future. Authorized employees can also create, edit and delete standing approvals.

SMEs that have connected their business software to their bank receive eBill invoices directly in this software. Booking and payment are carried out using your standard processes. No adjustments to the existing processes are required. In addition to the electronic invoice data, you will also receive the associated PDF. The invoice receipt can thus be easily archived through your existing processes.

Authorized employees who have entered an e-mail address are informed that new invoices have been received. Notification settings can be adjusted in the eBill portal under “user settings”.

Yes, as long as your company has a corporate identification number that it provided when signing up for eBill for business. If you did not receive a corporate identification number until after signing up for eBill for business, you can give this to your bank at a later date.

In order to use eBill for Business across different banks, you must have provided the same corporate identification number at all banks.

All companies entered in an official register (e.g. VAT register, commercial register etc.) receive a corporate identification number from the Swiss Federal Statistical Office. This is listed in a public register. Companies, associations, cooperatives and foundations etc. that are not entered in an official register can also apply for this number from the Swiss Federal Statistical Office.

You can find more information on corporate identification numbers and how to apply for one on the Swiss Federal Statistical Office’s website.

eBill for business uses the corporate identification number as a way of identifying companies. If you do not have a corporate identification number, you still have limited use of eBill for business. Please contact your bank’s relationship manager.

If you are listed in an official register, your company is automatically assigned a corporate identification number. This can be found on the Swiss Federal Statistical Office’s website. Associations, cooperatives and condominium associations etc. can also apply for a corporate identification number from the Swiss Federal Statistical Office. This is done by filling out a form.

Please notify your bank if your corporate identification number changes.

Yes, companies that do not have a corporate identification number can still use eBill for business. These companies receive an identification number from the financial institution. However, this does not enable multi-banking and invoice issuers cannot be automatically added. You will receive more information from your bank.

Multi-banking is possible only if a corporate identification number has been provided at the bank. In addition, a corporate identification number is required to use the “Add invoice issuers automatically” function (for a description of this function see next section).

If you already used eBill for your company before eBill for business was introduced, you can switch to eBill for business at any time, provided your bank offers this feature. Register for this at your bank, which will go through the set-up process for eBill for Business with you.

Not all banks offer eBill for Business. For more information on the service, please contact your relationship manager directly.

Please contact your bank directly to deactivate your eBill for Business account. It must be deactivated by the bank. If you use eBill for Business at various banks (multi-banking), you must deactivate the account at all banks involved.

eBill Donations uses eBill technology and infrastructure. This way, you can reach donors exactly where they pay their bills: in online banking.

The basic requirement is an online banking account with a financial institution that participates in eBill and offers eBill Donations, as well as the activation of eBill. Please check the eBill offer of your financial institution.

eBill offers a purely digital and convenient donation option directly via online banking. All donation requests are archived, and with standing approvals, eBill users can automatically approve recurring donations.

To register on the eBill infrastructure, a non-profit organization (NPO) must prove that its establishment is legally valid (e.g. through articles of association or a foundation deed) and that it has a non-commercial purpose. This can be achieved with a Zewo certification or a cantonal tax exemption for institutions with a non-profit or public purpose. Moreover, classification as an NPO is regularly checked by network partners on eBill.

No. Adding an NPO as an invoice issuer in eBill requires the automatic transmission of the eBill user’s e-mail address, name and postal address. Approval of a donation request also triggers a transfer from online banking, which likewise cannot be anonymous. This means that the same data is transmitted as for a conventional online banking credit transfer.

Yes. The minimum amount for a donation in eBill is CHF 5.