Pay via mobile phone: how does Twint work?
Whether online, at the checkout or among friends: with the Twint payment app, you can pay on the go. Comparis gives an overview of the Swiss app.
29.11.2023
iStock/cocorattanakorn
1. What is Twint?
Twint is a Swiss payment app. Several Swiss banks are behind the app. With Twint, you can make cashless payments in many places in Switzerland. Twint users can also send money to each other.
In Switzerland, Twint is the market leader for mobile payments with a market share of 60%. A Comparis analysis (not available in English) reveals that Twint is considered one of the most trusted payment methods in Switzerland.
The banks behind Twint are:
Banque Cantonale Vaudoise
Credit Suisse
Postfinance
Raiffeisen
UBS
Zürcher Kantonalbank
Six and Worldline also have a stake in Twint.
2. How does Twint work?
To use Twint, download your bank’s app onto your mobile phone. Then connect your bank account or credit card to the app. How exactly you set up Twint depends on the provider.
Twint without a bank account
Want more control over your spending with Twint? You can also use Twint as a prepaid service without connecting a bank account or credit card. How to top up the prepaid balance:
Direct debit
Payment slip
Credit code
More information about Twint’s prepaid service.
Add customer cards
You can add customer cards and coupons to your Twint app. This way, you can benefit from the advantages of the saved card with every Twint payment.
Please note: make sure you scan the QR code at the checkout no later than when you’re asked for your customer card. Otherwise, access to the card’s benefits may be forfeited.
3. Where can I pay with Twint?
The free app allows you to make cashless payments in various places:
At checkouts
At machines
In online and app shops
Between users
At participating clubs
Depending on the app and bank, there is a monthly limit for payments.
You can pay via QR code at checkouts or vending machines. You can scan the QR code at the payment terminal.
You can also pay parking fees via Twint:
Payment at the parking meter: Scan the QR code and enter your licence plate number the first time you use it. In the Twint app, you then set your parking time and confirm the payment.
Paying without a parking meter: Open the Twint app and select the “Parking” feature. Determine the location using the location function of your mobile phone. Enter the planned parking duration and confirm the payment.
Ticket-free parking: Open the Twint app and select the “Parking” feature. Click on the car icon and activate “licence plate recognition”. You can then park without a ticket in participating car parks. The barrier will open automatically. The money is then debited via Twint.
Have you parked for less time than planned? You can stop the parking time whenever you are ready to drive away. You’ll receive the difference back via Twint.
Various online shops and charities offer payments with Twint. You can make the payment using a QR code or a numerical code.
Twint has also an integrated donation feature. In the app, you can select your desired organization and donate.
With Twint, you can send money to friends. This uses your contact’s mobile phone number. The limit depends on the respective app.
You can also request money from others. In addition, Twint enables the splitting of amounts paid between several people.
Twint offers a feature especially for clubs. Clubs can create a Twint QR code for payments. The use of this feature costs between 1.3–2.5% per transaction. However, there are no fixed costs.
Twint is only available in Switzerland. Payments abroad are therefore not possible. However, you can use the prepaid app with a foreign mobile number from one of the following countries:
Germany (+49)
France (+33)
Liechtenstein (+423)
Italy (+39)
Austria (+43)
4. Do I have to pay a fee for Twint?
For users, the app is free of charge. Merchants, on the other hand, pay Twint a certain percentage of every transaction.
In exceptional cases, there is a fee for individual services. This includes the ticket-free parking feature and cash withdrawal.
5. Can I withdraw cash with Twint?
You can use Twint to withdraw money via a Sonect partner shop. The maximum is 200 francs per transaction. You can withdraw a maximum of 1,000 francs per month.
The fee for Twint cash withdrawals depends on the desired amount. When withdrawing up to 100 francs, you pay 1.50 francs. For amounts over 100 francs, you pay a fee of 2 francs.
6. Can I change my Twint number?
It’s possible to change your number:
Twint prepaid app: Changes can be made via the app.
Twint app with a bank account: You usually have to delete your Twint account and create a new one.
7. Which banks offer Twint?
Many banks offer their own Twint app. In the table, you can find an overview of the bank-specific apps (as of November 2023):
This article was first published on 28.11.2018
