Debit card
A debit card charges the cardholder's bank account immediately upon payment — unlike a credit card, where billing occurs at the end of the month.
Debit card
A debit card (also known as a bank card) is a means of payment that is linked directly to the cardholder's bank account. With every payment, the amount is immediately debited from the account — there is no credit limit as with a credit card.
In Switzerland, the debit card landscape has changed fundamentally in 2024/2025: The old Maestro cards (from Mastercard) are being replaced by Visa Debit and Debit Mastercard. For merchants, this means that the new debit cards function like credit cards in the online checkout (with card number, expiry date and CVC), but the transaction fees are lower.
At the POS, debit cards are the cheapest electronic means of payment for merchants: In Switzerland, transaction fees are 0.95% + CHF 0.15, well below credit card fees (1.25% + CHF 0.15). In e-commerce, debit cards are billed at the same fees as credit cards because they run via the same card networks (Visa, Mastercard).
Debit card examples
A customer pays in a supermarket using their Visa Debit card. The amount of CHF 65 is immediately debited from their bank account.
A customer enters her new Debit Mastercard number in the online checkout — just like a credit card, but the amount is debited immediately.
A retailer pays only 0.95% + CHF 0.15 per transaction for debit card payments at the POS — cheaper than credit cards.
Debit card FAQ
What is a debit card?
A debit card is a means of payment that is directly linked to your bank account. With every payment, the amount is debited immediately — in contrast to a credit card, which bills at the end of the month.
What happened to the Maestro card?
Mastercard has phased out Maestro starting in 2023. Swiss banks are replacing Maestro cards with Visa Debit or Debit Mastercard. The new cards also work online — Maestro could not do that.
What does debit card acceptance cost for merchants?
At the POS in Switzerland: 0.95% + CHF 0.15 per transaction — cheaper than credit cards. In e-commerce, credit card rates apply because the cards processed via Visa/Mastercard networks.
Can you pay online with a debit card?
Yes, with the new Visa Debit and Debit Mastercard. They have a card number, expiry date and CVC — just like a credit card. The old Maestro cards were not able to do this.
