Swiss associations can accept 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 in hardware costs), Tap to Pay on the smartphone (from approx. 1.5–1.7 % transaction fee) and a mobile card terminal (from approx. 29 EUR in device costs). Which option suits your club event depends on the number of visitors, the average amount and the available infrastructure.

This guide compares all three methods with concrete Swiss costs, shows you step by step how you are 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 behavior in Switzerland has changed significantly. According to the Swiss Payment Monitor, the majority of the population in everyday life prefers cashless payment – 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 beforehand, helpers juggle change, and the treasurer counts coins late at night.

For clubs, three concrete advantages arise when they offer a digital payment option in addition to cash. First, revenue increases because visitors consume even without cash – experience shows 15–30 % higher average amounts for cashless payments. Second, the effort decreases: no organizing change, no counting, no bank deposit. Third, the club receives complete digital accounting – helpful for the auditors and the general meeting.

Important: Cashless does not mean cashless-only. Most clubs do best with a hybrid model – continue accepting cash, but additionally offer one or two digital payment options.

2. The three methods at a glance

For Swiss clubs, three practical methods are suitable for the event. Each has its sweet spot – depending on budget, number of visitors and technical know-how.

2.1 QR code with payment page

A QR code leads the visitor to a mobile payment page on which 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 beside the cash desk. Hardware costs: zero. The only requirement: the visitor needs a smartphone.

There are two variants. With a fixed-amount QR code (e.g. 'Beer EUR 5' or 'Sausage EUR 8') the visitor only has to tap 'Pay'. With a free-amount QR code the visitor enters the amount themselves – more flexible, but somewhat slower at the stand.

The decisive 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 such as 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-capable smartphone into a card terminal. The helper enters the amount in the app, the visitor holds their card or their smartphone to the device. Accepted are credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard), TWINT as well as mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay). Additional hardware is not necessary – only the app on a compatible device.

Currently several Swiss providers offer Tap-to-Pay solutions, including Payrexx (Android), SumUp and Worldline. 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 such as Payrexx) accepts contactless and chip payments. The devices work via battery and mobile network (4G/SIM) or Bluetooth to the smartphone. For clubs with high throughput – for example a festival catering operation with several hundred guests – a terminal is often the most robust solution, because it works independently of the helper's smartphone and also works reliably when WLAN is weak.

The device costs lie depending on the provider between 29 and 399 EUR (purchase) or can be rented for individual events. In addition, transaction fees of typically 1.3–1.7 % apply 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 do not exclude each other. 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. Therefore here is a realistic example calculation for a typical village festival with 200 visitors, of whom 80 pay cashless, at an average amount of EUR 12 per transaction.

Note: The fees mentioned are indicative values for Swiss domestic transactions (as of 2026). The exact conditions depend on 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

Have you decided on a method? Then follow this step-by-step guide – regardless of the 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 EUR 5', 'Sausage EUR 8', 'Donation freely selectable'. 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. Attach them clearly visible at the stand – ideally at eye level next to the price board. Test before the event with your own mobile phone 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 are to collect payments at the event. Log in with the club account. Test a trial payment with a real card (small amount, e.g. EUR 1, and then cancel). Ensure that each device has enough battery – plan power banks. Tip: Set up a reference system (e.g. 'Stand A – Drinks', 'Stand B – Grill') so that the transactions can be assigned later.

5.3 Set up mobile card terminal

Order the terminal in good time – at least 5–10 working days before the event. Fully charge the device and activate it according to the provider's instructions. Check the mobile network connection at the event location (4G reception). If the site is poorly covered, choose a terminal with offline mode that stores transactions and synchronises them later. Brief the helpers shortly in operation – enter amount, hold card to terminal, send receipt by SMS or email.

6. Settlement and club accounting

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

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

For the club accounting it is recommended to keep the payout overview as supporting document. 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 ready faster.

Tax-wise: Income from club events is for most Swiss clubs only subject to tax if the club operates a commercial business or exceeds the turnover thresholds for VAT (currently EUR 100’000 annual turnover). For a typical club event with a few thousand francs in turnover, nothing changes tax-wise, whether cash or cashless is collected.

7. Practical examples: How other clubs do it

Football tournament with festival catering

A regional football club organises a small 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 sufficient. Result: Around 40 % of payments are cashless, the club saves on change and nightly 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 during the break is high. The treasurer 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 stall with handmade products at the neighborhood festival. Budget: practically zero. The solution: Three laminated QR codes ('Large jar of jam EUR 7', 'Small jar EUR 4', 'Donation'). No terminal, no subscription, no fixed costs. The transaction fees amount to around EUR 6–8 in total for 50 sales with an average amount of EUR 6 – less than the cost of coin rolls and the bank trip.

8. Checklist: Cashless payment at the club event

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

• PSP account opened and verified (at least 5–10 days before the event – plan 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 helper smartphones and trial payment completed

• Card terminal ordered, charged and mobile network connection tested at the event location

• Power banks organized 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 receipts, file receipt for accounting

Payrexx offers for clubs an approach that unites 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 subscription has no monthly fixed costs – the club only pays transaction fees when actually collected. Recognized non-profit organizations receive 50 % discount on paid subscriptions. All transactions flow into a Dashboard with export function for the club accounting.