Credit card
A credit card is a means of payment that grants the cardholder a credit limit. Purchases are accumulated and billed at the end of the month or in installments.
Credit card
A credit card is a payment instrument issued by an issuer (card-issuing bank) that grants the holder a credit limit for purchases. The cardholder can make payments online, in-store, and abroad. Settlement typically occurs monthly — either as a total amount or in installments.
The most well-known card networks are Visa, Mastercard, American Express (AMEX), and Diners Club. In Switzerland, credit cards are issued by banks such as UBS, ZKB, Raiffeisen, and specialized issuers such as Swisscard or Cembra.
For Comerciantes, credit cards are one of the most important payment methods in e-commerce. Transaction fees consist of the interchange fee (to the issuer), the scheme fee (to the card network), and the acquirer margin. In Switzerland, total costs are typically between 1.35% and 2.50% plus a fixed fee per transaction.
Credit card examples
A customer pays for their online purchase with their Visa credit card. The amount is debited from their account at the end of the month.
A Swiss online shop accepts Visa, Mastercard and AMEX through its payment service provider — transaction fees vary depending on the card.
A cardholder uses their credit card abroad. The card is charged in the local currency, the bank converts to EUR at the current exchange rate.
Credit Card FAQ
What is a credit card?
A credit card is a means of payment with a credit limit. Purchases are accumulated and billed at the end of the month. In contrast to a debit card, the amount is not debited immediately from the account.
What does credit card acceptance cost for Comerciante in Switzerland?
Transaction fees for credit cards in Switzerland are typically between 1.35% and 2.50% plus a fixed fee of EUR 0.18–0.30 per transaction, depending on the PSP and plan.
What is the difference between a credit card and a debit card?
With the credit card, the amount is accumulated and settled at the end of the month — the cardholder receives a credit. With the debit card, the amount is debited from the bank account immediately.
Which credit cards should Swiss shops accept?
Visa and Mastercard are mandatory — they cover the majority of all card payments. AMEX is particularly relevant for business clients and international guests. Diners Club and Discover have a low volume in Switzerland.
