Tap to Pay for home visits: Mobile payment for physio- and osteotherapy therapists in Switzerland

Physiotherapists and osteopaths who visit patients at home can accept payments directly on site using the Payrexx Tap to Pay app on an Android smartphone – without a separate card terminal. The Android device accepts debit cards, credit cards, TWINT, and mobile wallets contactlessly. iPhones are currently not supported by Payrexx Tap to Pay.

This guide shows you how Tap to Pay works during home visits, what requirements are needed, and how you can use TWINT as an alternative if the Android device has no network connection.

1. The problem: Cash during home visits is unprofessional and cumbersome

When visiting patients at home as a physiotherapist or osteopath, you often face an awkward situation after the treatment: giving change, going to the bank, recording income. This fits neither a professional image nor a relaxed conclusion to a therapy session.

The previous alternative – a separate card reader like SumUp Solo Lite – partially solves the problem, but brings its own disadvantages: the device must be charged, carried along, and paired separately with the smartphone. If the battery dies or the device is left at home, the payment option is gone. With Tap to Pay on an Android smartphone, this hardware is completely eliminated.

2. What is Payrexx Tap to Pay and how does it work?

Payrexx Tap to Pay is a SoftPOS solution: The NFC chip in the Android smartphone takes over the function of a card reader. The Payrexx Tap to Pay app is installed on the Android device and linked to the existing Payrexx account. When checking out, the amount is entered in the app, the patient holds their card, wallet, or smartphone against the Android device – the payment is confirmed in seconds and immediately appears in the Payrexx Dashboard.

Important for planning: Payrexx Tap to Pay works exclusively on Android smartphones with an NFC chip (Android 8.1 or higher) and Google Mobile Services. iPhones are currently not supported. Anyone who only has an iPhone available will need a physical POS terminal for on-site payments or must rely exclusively on payment links.

3. Step by step: Setting up Tap to Pay

Setup takes about 10 to 15 minutes and requires no technical prior knowledge.

• Create a Payrexx account or log in (free of charge, 30-day trial period)

• Download the Payrexx Tap to Pay app from the Google Play Store onto the Android device

• Connect the app to your Payrexx account – enter login credentials

• Activate payment methods: cards, TWINT, mobile wallets

• Perform a test payment with your own card

• Get started – enter the amount, patient holds card against device

4. TWINT for home visits: Available directly in the app

Unlike some other SoftPOS solutions, Payrexx Tap to Pay supports TWINT directly in the app. Patients can pay via TWINT during a home visit by scanning the QR code on the therapist's Android device with the TWINT app. The transaction is processed via the Payrexx account and appears in the Dashboard.

As an additional backup – for example, with a poor mobile connection – a printed static TWINT QR code (created via Payrexx QR Pay) is recommended: the patient scans the code, enters the amount, and the therapist confirms receipt later. For most home visits in urban areas with good 4G coverage, this backup is not necessary.

5. Internet connection during home visits: What to do with poor reception?

Payrexx Tap to Pay requires an active internet connection on the therapist's Android device – either via 4G/5G mobile network or Wi-Fi at the patient's home. In rural areas or inside buildings with poor reception, this can be an issue.

6. Accounting: Recording home visits accurately

All transactions via Tap to Pay appear in the Payrexx Dashboard with date, amount, payment method, and optional booking text. For accounting purposes, it is recommended to enter the patient ID or first name as a reference for each home visit – this allows all transactions to be assigned to the correct treatments at the end of the month.

Physiotherapy is exempt from value-added tax (VAT) in Switzerland, as is osteopathy if recognized by health insurance. For private services not covered by insurance, VAT may apply depending on the situation – your fiduciary will clarify this individually.

7. Checklist: Setting up Tap to Pay for home visits

• Check whether your Android device is NFC-capable and runs Android 8.1 or higher

• Create a Payrexx account with the InStore plan (no monthly fee)

• Download the Payrexx Tap to Pay app from the Google Play Store

• Connect the app to your Payrexx account and activate the desired payment methods

• Additionally create a TWINT QR code (via Payrexx QR Pay) as an offline backup

• Perform a test payment with your own card before you head to your first home visit

• Inform patients in the appointment confirmation: card payment and TWINT are now available

• Define a booking text standard in the app for accurate accounting

Payrexx Tap to Pay is included in every plan. For mobile therapists without practice premises, the InStore plan without a monthly fee is the ideal entry point (cards 1.65% + CHF 0.15, TWINT 1.30%); with the Better Fees add-on (CHF 9/month), fees drop to 0.95% + CHF 0.15 for debit, 1.25% + CHF 0.15 for credit, and 1.25% for TWINT. If you also want to use payment links or online booking with payments from the same account, choose Omni Standard (CHF 19/month).