QR-Adresse

Why is my bank rejecting this Swiss QR-bill?

From this autumn, the first thing to check is the address inside the QR code: several banks only guarantee processing of QR-bills with the old combined address format (type K) until the end of September 2026. Less often, the cause is a mismatch between QR-IBAN and reference, an invalid check digit or characters that are not allowed. As the payer, you can enter the payment manually or ask for a new bill; only the biller can fix the bill itself.

To find out which case you have, drop a PDF or photo of the bill into our QR-bill checker: it reads the QR code and checks it line by line in a few seconds. Everything runs in your browser, and the bill is never uploaded.

First suspect: the old combined address

Inside the QR code, an address is either structured (type S: street, building number, postcode and town on separate lines) or combined (type K: two free-text lines). Since 21 November 2025, newly issued QR-bills may only contain type S, for both the biller's and the payer's address.

For bills still in circulation, the deadline depends on the bank:

  • Several banks, including Graubündner Kantonalbank and Banque Cantonale Neuchâteloise, only guarantee processing of type K bills until the end of September 2026. BCN says such bills will be refused after that and a new bill is needed. Luzerner Kantonalbank says such bills have not been reliably scannable in its e-banking since 21 November 2025.
  • PostFinance guarantees processing until 13 November 2026.
  • From 14 November 2026, the Swiss Payment Standards no longer allow unstructured addresses in any payment order.

Depending on the bank, the bill may be refused when you scan it or only when you submit the payment. For the background, see Structured address on the Swiss QR-bill.

Other causes the checker detects

A QR-bill can also be broken for other reasons. The checker compares the content with the SIX Implementation Guidelines and reports, among others:

  • QR-IBAN and reference don't match. A QR-IBAN always requires a QR reference (QRR). Conversely, a QR reference only works with a QR-IBAN, and a Creditor Reference (SCOR, starts with "RF") must not be combined with a QR-IBAN.
  • Invalid reference check digit. The QR reference has 27 digits, the last of which is a check digit. The ISO 11649 Creditor Reference also has check digits. One typo in a template is enough.
  • IBAN not from Switzerland or Liechtenstein, or with a wrong check digit. QR-bills only accept CH or LI IBANs.
  • Characters that are not allowed. Only the Latin character set of the Swiss Payment Standards is permitted. Emojis or unusual special characters, often pasted from other text, make the code invalid.
  • Wrong amount format. The amount must be encoded with a dot as the decimal separator, for example "1949.75", and the currency must be CHF or EUR.

A special case applies to bills in euros: from 14 November 2026, QR-IBAN and QR reference are for CHF only. Details in the article on 14 November 2026.

What you can do as the payer

  1. Enter the payment manually. Manual entry is always possible. Copy the IBAN, amount and reference exactly so the biller can match your payment, and enter the name and address the way your e-banking asks for them.
  2. Ask for a new bill. Let the biller know. They need to regenerate the bill; a sticker or a handwritten correction does not change the QR code.
  3. Check your standing orders. Banks have to update standing orders and payment templates by 13 November 2026. If you pay the same recipient regularly, it's worth asking your bank.

What the biller has to do

If customers tell you your QR-bill is being refused:

  1. Check a current bill with the checker. If the address type is "K", the problem is in your software or template.
  2. Update your invoicing software, or replace the template with a generator that has separate fields for street, building number, postcode and town. Tips for Excel and Word setups: Swiss QR-bill Excel or Word template.
  3. Regenerate all open invoices and send them again. Pay particular attention to customers who pay by standing order.
  4. Check a test bill before sending in bulk again.

Quick answers

Does 30 September 2026 apply to every bank? No. It is the date until which several banks guarantee processing of type K, not a SIX date. PostFinance guarantees until 13 November 2026. If in doubt, ask your bank.

Are bills that were already paid affected? No. Only bills that still need to be paid.

Will my bank convert the old address automatically? We know of no bank that has announced this. Don't count on it.

Sources

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