Swiss associations can increase their revenue and drastically reduce the administrative burden on the board by having their own online shop, digital payment methods such as TWINT and QR-Invoice as well as automated membership fees. The key lies in the combination of simple club software, a broad payment mix, and a legally sound setup – after all, in Switzerland, the same obligations apply to association shops as to any other online shop.

This guide shows you which e-commerce models exist for associations, which payment methods have established themselves in Switzerland, what you need to look out for regarding data protection and compliance – and how you can achieve maximum impact with minimal effort.

1. Status quo: Why associations are selling digitally now

Switzerland has over 100,000 associations – from sports clubs to cultural associations to environmental organisations. In Germany there are around 600,000, and in Austria 125,000. Almost all face the same challenges: declining willingness to use cash, rising expectations for digital services, and a chronic lack of time for voluntary work.

The pandemic triggered a digitalisation push in associations too. According to TWINT and RaiseNow, over 16,000 Swiss associations already rely on their shared payment solution for cashless collecting. PostFinance, Raiffeisen and the large Swiss banks actively support the digitalisation of associations – with custom association packages, TWINT integrations, and recommendations for club software such as ClubDesk or Fairgate.

At the same time, more and more specialised association shop providers (Fan12, MyTeamShop, Vereinslinie, ClubSolution) are emerging, which provide associations with free, branded online shops – complete with production, shipping, and revenue sharing of up to 25%. The association only supplies the logo and the colours.

2. The five e-commerce channels for associations

E-commerce for associations does not just mean merchandise sales. It comprises at least five channels, each posing different requirements for payment processing and technology:

Association shop (Merchandise & fan articles)

Personalised jerseys, hoodies, caps, mugs or key rings in the association's design. Either via a specialised service provider (print-on-demand, fulfillment included) or via an own webshop with a connection to a Payment Service Provider (PSP). The typical order value is EUR 30–80 per purchase.

Membership fees and course registrations

The largest recurring cash flow: annual or quarterly fees, course subscriptions, season tickets. In Switzerland, these are increasingly collected via QR-Invoice or TWINT. Automated recurring payments via credit card or direct debit establish predictable revenue and eliminate the tedious task of chasing up unpaid members.

Event ticketing

Association festivals, tournaments, concerts, general assemblies: online ticketing with prepaid payment reduces no-shows, simplifies planning, and eliminates cash at the evening box office. Integrating a Paylink (Paylink) in emails or WhatsApp groups is the fastest way to do this.

Donations and fundraising

Digital donations via QR code, Paylink or donation form on the website. In Switzerland, over 8,000 organisations rely on RaiseNow for digital fundraising. Crowdfunding platforms such as lokalhelden.ch (Raiffeisen) or wemakeit offer additional reach for project-related campaigns.

Cashless payments on site

At the association festival, in the clubhouse, during cake sales or raffles: TWINT, QR codes, card terminals or smartphone-based digital terminals are increasingly replacing cash. The fees are 1.3–2.5% per transaction (TWINT via RaiseNow), while the association saves itself the effort of counting, depositing, and the risk of theft.

3. Comparison: Payment methods for Swiss associations

Not every payment method is suitable for every channel. The following table shows which payment types fit best for standard association use cases:

Recommendation: In Switzerland, TWINT is the all-rounder – it covers all five channels. Complemented by QR-Invoice for fees and credit card/PostFinance for the online shop, it yields a payment mix that reaches virtually all members and visitors.

4. Legal framework: What Swiss associations must look out for

An association that operates an online shop is subject to the same legal requirements in Switzerland as any other online Comerciante. That sounds strict, but it is easy to implement with the right tools.

Imprint and data protection

Every association shop needs a complete imprint (association name, address, contact person) and a privacy policy that complies with the revised Swiss Data Protection Act (DPA, in force since September 1, 2023). Particularly relevant: the processing of personal data (name, address, payment details) must be communicated transparently. For associations that also have members in the EU, the GDPR also applies.

Right of withdrawal and terms & conditions

Under Swiss law – unlike in the EU – there is no general right of withdrawal in online retail. Nevertheless, it is recommended to define clear T&Cs with return policies, as this builds trust and avoids conflicts. Providers like eRecht24 or the Swiss law firm Brüllhardt offer generators and templates for association T&Cs.

Non-profit status and taxes

Revenue from an association shop can jeopardise the tax-exempt status of a non-profit association if it is classified as commercial. The cantonal tax offices check whether the economic activity remains subordinate to the non-profit purpose of the association. As a rule-of-thumb: as long as shop revenues are subordinate in relation to the overall budget and profits flow entirely into the association's purpose, the tax exemption usually remains intact. Consulting with the competent cantonal tax office is still recommended.

5. Trends: What is changing for associations

Community commerce instead of classic e-commerce

In an association environment, people do not buy because of the price – but because of belonging. This makes association e-commerce fundamentally different from classic online retail: target audiences are small, but extremely loyal. Conversion rates are high, returns are low. Limited editions, anniversary items and personalised products perform exceptionally well.

Mobile-first is a must

Association communication runs through WhatsApp, Instagram and club apps. Accordingly, the entire payment flow – from the Paylink in a WhatsApp group to checkout in the association shop – must work seamlessly on a smartphone. Payment methods like TWINT, Apple Pay and Google Pay are not optional, but a basic requirement.

Recurring payments as an anchor of stability

The trend towards subscription models is also reaching associations. Monthly training fees, season tickets, course subscriptions – recurring payments generate predictable revenue and reduce administrative effort. A PSP that natively supports recurring payments is a prerequisite for this.

Platform convergence: All in one place

Association software (ClubDesk, Fairgate, Webling, SportMember) is increasingly becoming a platform: member management, website, accounting, shop and payments – all in one tool. The PSP becomes the invisible infrastructure that processes all payment streams in the background. The API capability of the PSP determines how seamlessly this integration works.

6. Checklist: What you should check before starting

Before you introduce e-commerce functions for your association, clarify these points:

• Check association statutes: Do the statutes find economic activity (shop sales, ticketing) permissible? If not, the next general assembly must decide on an adjustment.

• Secure tax exemption: Consult with the cantonal tax office whether an online shop jeopardises the non-profit status.

• Create imprint and privacy policy: Mandatory for every online shop. The revised DPA (since 1.9.2023) increases the requirements.

• Define payment methods: Cover at least TWINT + QR-Invoice + credit card. Check whether the PSP supports PostFinance and Apple/Google Pay.

• Set up association account for payouts: The PSP pays into the association's account – make sure that the account is operational and complies with PSP requirements.

• Check association software integration: Does your association software (ClubDesk, Fairgate etc.) offer an interface to the chosen PSP? Are payments automatically recorded?

• Define responsibilities on the board: Who looks after the shop? Who monitors incoming payments? Minimal effort is only possible if processes are clear.

• Test mobile usability: Can the shop, the donation form and checkout be used on a smartphone? Do Paylinks work in WhatsApp?

• Set T&Cs and return policies: Even though there is no statutory right of withdrawal in Switzerland – clear rules build trust.

• Carry out a test order: Before the shop goes live, run through the entire purchasing process yourself – including payment, confirmation email and booking.

7. How you process payments for your association with Payrexx

Payrexx offers Swiss associations a payment solution that covers all described channels from a single source: TWINT, QR-Invoice, credit cards, PostFinance, Apple Pay and Google Pay – simple to activate in a few clicks, without technical prior knowledge.

With Payrexx Links and QR codes, you can send payment requests for membership fees, event tickets or donations directly via SMS, email or as a poster in the association clubhouse.

The recurring payment function automates fee collection. For associations with their own webshop, Payrexx provides plug-ins for popular shop systems and an API that enables seamless connection to association software.

KYC checks and regulatory compliance are handled by Payrexx as a licensed PSP – the association does not have to worry about anti-money laundering duties themselves. Start now with a free Payrexx account and set up your first payment page in just a few minutes.