IBAN
The IBAN (International Bank Account Number) is a standardized account number that uniquely identifies bank accounts worldwide and is used for national and international transfers.
IBAN (International Bank Account Number)
The IBAN is an international account number that combines the country, bank, and account into a single code. In Switzerland, the IBAN consists of 21 characters: the country code CH, a 2-digit check digit, and a 17-digit account identification.
The IBAN has replaced the former national account numbers and is mandatory for all transfers within the SEPA area and in Switzerland. In e-commerce, the IBAN is used for payment methods such as direct debit (SEPA Direct Debit), bank transfer, and QR-bill.
For merchants, the IBAN is the target account for payouts from the payment service provider. Important: For QR-bills with automatic payment reconciliation, a special QR-IBAN is required, which you can request from your house bank.
IBAN examples
A Swiss IBAN looks like this: CH93 0076 2011 6238 5295 7. CH = Switzerland, 93 = check digit, the rest identifies bank and account.
A merchant deposits their IBAN with their PSP so that transaction revenues are paid out to their business account.
To send QR bills with a reference number, the merchant needs a QR-IBAN — a special version of the standard IBAN.
IBAN FAQ
What is an IBAN?
The IBAN (International Bank Account Number) is a standardised account number that uniquely identifies bank accounts worldwide. In Switzerland, it consists of 21 characters and begins with CH.
Where can I find my IBAN?
You can find your IBAN in your e-banking, on your bank statement, on the back of your bank card or in your banking app.
What is the difference between IBAN and QR-IBAN?
The QR-IBAN is a special variant of the IBAN for QR-bills with a QR reference. It is required for automatic payment reconciliation and must be requested from your house bank.
Is the IBAN mandatory in Switzerland?
Yes, since the old payment slips were replaced by the QR-bill, the IBAN is mandatory for all transfers in Switzerland and the SEPA area.
