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

Physiotherapists and osteopaths who visit patients at home can collect 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 necessary, and how to use TWINT as an alternative when the Android device has no network coverage.

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

Anyone travelling to patients' homes as a physiotherapist or osteopath often faces an inconvenient situation after treatment: giving change, going to the bank, recording income. This neither matches a professional image nor does it provide a relaxed conclusion to a therapy session.

The previous alternative – a separate Lector de tarjetas such as SumUp Solo Lite – partially solves the issue, but introduces 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 assumes the function of a card reader. The Payrexx Tap to Pay app is installed on the Android device and connected to the existing Payrexx account. When collecting payment, 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 appears immediately 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 requires a physical POS terminal for on-site payments or exclusively uses 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, 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

• Start – enter 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 using the TWINT app. The transaction is processed via the Payrexx account and appears in the Dashboard.

As an additional backup – for instance, in case of poor mobile network coverage – 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 coverage?

Payrexx Tap to Pay requires an active internet connection on the therapist's Android device – either via a 4G/5G mobile network or Wi-Fi at the patient's home. In rural areas or inside buildings with weak 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 an optional booking reference. For bookkeeping purposes, it is recommended to enter the patient ID or first name as a reference for each home visit – this ensures that all transactions can 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 recognised by health insurance. For private services not covered by insurance, VAT may apply depending on the situation – your accountant can clarify this individually.

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

• Check if your Android device is NFC-enabled and runs Android 8.1 or higher

• Create a Payrexx account with an InStore subscription (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 go to the first home visit

• Inform patients during appointment confirmation: card payments and TWINT now available

• Set a default booking reference in the app for clean 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 entry point (cards 1.65% + EUR 0.15, TWINT 1.30%); with the Better Fees add-on (EUR 9/month), fees decrease to 0.95% + EUR 0.15 for debit, 1.25% + EUR 0.15 for credit, and 1.25% for TWINT. Those who additionally want to use Payment Links or online booking with payments from the same account should choose Omni Standard (EUR 19/month).