Swiss clubs can take cashless payments at festivals and events without expensive infrastructure or lengthy contracts. The three most common methods are a printed QR code with a payment page (from zero francs hardware costs), Tap to Pay on the smartphone (from approx. 1.5–1.7 % transaction fee) and a mobile card terminal (from approx. 29 CHF device costs). Which option suits your club event depends on visitor numbers, the average amount and the available infrastructure.

This guide compares all three methods with concrete Swiss costs, shows you step by step how to be ready to start in 30 minutes, and explains how the settlement then flows cleanly into the club accounting.

1. Why cashless payment at the club event makes sense

Payment behaviour in Switzerland has changed a lot. According to the Swiss Payment Monitor, most of the population now prefers to pay cashless in everyday life – with debit card, credit card, TWINT or mobile wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay. At the typical club event, however, cash still dominates in many places: visitors have to go to the ATM first, helpers juggle change, and the cashier counts coins late in the evening.

For clubs, there are three concrete advantages if they offer a digital payment option in addition to cash. First, revenue increases because visitors without cash still consume – in practice, average amounts are typically 15–30 % higher with cashless payments. Second, the effort decreases: no organising change, no counting, no bank deposit. Third, the club receives a complete digital settlement – useful for the audit body and the general meeting.

Important: cashless does not mean cashless-only. Most clubs are best served by a hybrid model – continue to accept cash, but additionally offer one or two digital payment options.

2. The three methods at a glance

For Swiss clubs, three practical methods come into question at the event. Each has its sweet spot – depending on budget, visitor numbers and technical know-how.

2.1 QR Code with payment page

A QR code leads the visitor to a mobile payment page, where they choose their preferred payment method – TWINT, credit card, PostFinance, Apple Pay or Google Pay. The club prints the QR code and sticks it to the stand, on the menu, or next to the cash desk. Hardware costs: zero. The only requirement: the visitor needs a smartphone.

There are two variants. With a QR code with fixed amount (e.g. «Beer CHF 5» or «Bratwurst CHF 8») the visitor only has to tap «Pay». With a QR code with free amount the visitor enters the amount themselves – more flexible, but a little slower at the stand.

The key difference from a pure TWINT QR: A payment page accepts multiple payment methods. Visitors without TWINT – for example tourists, older guests or cross-border commuters – can still pay. Providers like Payrexx or other Swiss Payment Service Providers (PSP) offer such multi-payment-method QR codes.

2.2 Tap to Pay (Smartphone as terminal)

Tap to Pay, also called SoftPOS, turns an NFC-enabled smartphone into a card terminal. The helper enters the amount in the app, the visitor holds their card or smartphone against the device. Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard), TWINT as well as mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay) are accepted. No additional hardware is needed – only the app on a compatible device.

At present, several Swiss providers offer Tap-to-Pay solutions, including Payrexx (Android), SumUp and Worldline. The availability for iPhone depends on whether Apple has released the NFC interface in Switzerland for the respective provider – this changes continuously. Check before the event whether your device is compatible.

2.3 Mobile card terminal

A classic mobile card terminal (e.g. from SumUp, Worldline or via a PSP like Payrexx) accepts contactless and chip payments. The devices work on battery and mobile network (4G/SIM) or Bluetooth to the smartphone. For clubs with high throughput – for example a festival restaurant with several hundred guests – a terminal is often the most robust solution because it works independently of the helper's smartphone and also operates reliably with weak Wi-Fi.

The device costs are between 29 and 399 CHF (purchase) depending on provider, or can be rented for one-off events. In addition, there are transaction fees of typically 1.3–1.7 % depending on payment method and provider.

3. Comparison table: Which method suits your event?

The following table compares the three methods based on the most important criteria for a typical Swiss club event.

Tip: The methods are not mutually exclusive. Many clubs combine, for example, a printed QR code (for donations and spontaneous purchases) with Tap to Pay at the main stand (for fast throughput).

4. Costs in detail: What a club event really costs

Clubs are cost-sensitive – every franc counts. That is why here is a realistic example calculation for a typical village festival with 200 visitors, of whom 80 pay cashless, at an average amount of CHF 12 per transaction.

Note: The fees mentioned are indicative values for Swiss domestic transactions (as of 2026). The exact conditions depend on the provider, subscription model and payment method. TWINT transactions usually cost between 1.3 and 1.5 %, credit card payments are slightly higher. Check the current fees directly with the provider of your choice.

5. Ready in 30 minutes: setup guide for your club event

You have decided on a method? Then follow this step-by-step guide – regardless of provider, the process works similarly.

5.1 Set up QR Code with payment page

Register with a Swiss PSP that offers QR payment pages (e.g. Payrexx, HypiPay or similar). Create a separate QR code for each product or price category: «Beer CHF 5», «Bratwurst CHF 8», «Donation, free amount». Download the QR codes as an image, print them in sufficient size (at least 5 × 5 cm) on paper or cardboard and laminate them if necessary against rain and beer splashes. Place them clearly visible at the stand – ideally at eye level next to the price board. Test before the event with your own smartphone whether the scan works and the payment page loads correctly.

5.2 Set up Tap to Pay

Install the app of your chosen provider on the Android smartphones of the helpers who will take payments at the event. Log in with the club account. Test a trial payment with a real card (smallest amount, e.g. CHF 1, and then cancel). Make sure each device has enough battery – plan power banks. Tip: Set up a reference system (e.g. «Stand A – Drinks», «Stand B – Grill») so the transactions can later be assigned.

5.3 Set up mobile card terminal

Order the terminal in time – at least 5–10 working days before the event. Charge the device fully and activate it according to the provider's instructions. Check the mobile connection at the venue (4G reception). If the site is poorly covered, choose a terminal with offline mode that stores transactions and synchronises them later. Briefly instruct the helpers on operation – enter amount, hold card up, send receipt by SMS or e-mail.

6. Settlement and club accounting

After the event, the cashier wants to know: How much was taken cashless, and how does the money flow into the club account? With most Swiss PSPs, settlement works as follows.

All cashless transactions appear in an online Dashboard or an app. There you see for each payment: amount, payment method, time and, if applicable, a reference. The collected amounts are paid out to the club's IBAN account weekly or monthly depending on provider – minus the transaction fees. You receive a detailed payout overview by e-mail or as a CSV export.

For club accounting, it is advisable to keep the payout overview as supporting documentation. If your club works with club software such as ClubDesk, Webling or KLARA, you can usually import the exported transaction data directly. This eliminates manual typing and the cash report for the general meeting is finished faster.

For tax purposes: income from club events is only taxable for most Swiss clubs if the club operates a commercial business or exceeds the turnover thresholds for VAT (currently CHF 100'000 annual turnover). For the typical club event with a few thousand francs in turnover, nothing changes tax-wise, regardless of whether you take cash or cashless payments.

7. Practical examples: How other clubs do it

Football tournament with festival restaurant

A regional football club organises a knock-out tournament with 300 visitors. At the main stand (drinks and grill), two helpers use Tap to Pay on their smartphones. For the dessert counter, one printed QR code per product is enough. Result: Around 40 % of payments are cashless, and the club saves on change and late-night counting.

Music club concert with bar

A brass band club holds an annual concert with 150 guests. At the entrance, there is a QR code for voluntary donations («Support our club – amount freely selectable»). At the bar, there is a mobile card terminal because throughput is high during the break. The cashier exports the transaction list the next day and posts the revenue in the club accounting.

Scout flea market and camp shop

A scout troop runs a small stand with handmade products at the neighbourhood festival. Budget: practically zero. The solution: three laminated QR codes («Large jar of jam CHF 7», «Small jar CHF 4», «Donation»). No terminal, no subscription, no fixed costs. The transaction fees for 50 sales and an average amount of CHF 6 are a total of around CHF 6–8 – less than the cost of coin rolls and a trip to the bank.

8. Checklist: Cashless payments at the club event

• Method chosen: QR Code, Tap to Pay, card terminal – or a combination?

• PSP account opened and verified (at least 5–10 days before the event – plan for KYC check)

• Club account (IBAN) stored for payouts

• QR codes created, printed and laminated – checked with test scans

• Tap-to-Pay app installed on all helpers' smartphones and a trial payment carried out

• Card terminal ordered, charged and mobile connection tested at the venue

• Power banks organised for smartphones and terminals

• Helpers instructed in operation (5-minute briefing is enough)

• Signage at the stand: «Cashless payment possible – TWINT, card, Apple Pay»

• After the event: export transaction list, reconcile with cash income, file receipt for accounting

Payrexx offers clubs an approach that combines all three methods in one account: QR codes with payment page (TWINT, credit card, PostFinance and wallets via a single QR code), Tap to Pay on Android smartphones as well as card terminals.

The free plan has no monthly fixed costs – the club only pays transaction fees when payments are actually taken. Recognised non-profit organisations receive 50 % discount on paid subscriptions. All transactions flow into a Dashboard with export function for the club accounting.