Background

Types of QR invoices

1. QR-IBAN + QR reference (QRR): a 27-digit, purely numeric reference number. This is the combination that timeSensor LEGAL uses for automatic payment assignment (see section "Structure of the 27-digit Reference Number" below). A QR-IBAN may only be used with a QR reference.
2. Normal IBAN + Creditor Reference (SCOR / "RF reference"): an alphanumeric reference according to ISO 11649, always starting with "RF" (e.g., RF18539007547034). This combination is often used in international payments and by invoicers who do not use a QR-IBAN.
3. Normal IBAN without reference: no structured reference number is provided (e.g., for donations or free payments). In this case, the payment assignment must be done manually or via the payment purpose.

Structure of the 27-digit QR reference number

1. Bank customer ID (pos. 1-6)
2. Installment byte (pos. 7)
3. Invoice number (pos. 8-16)
4. Address number (pos. 17-26)
5. Check digit (pos. 27)

QR-IBAN: Features and recognition

1. Identification feature – digits 5 to 9 (IID): The "Institution Identification" (IID), i.e., the digits at positions 5–9 of the IBAN, are decisive. If this value is within the range 30000–31999, it is a so-called QR-IID and thus a QR-IBAN. If the value is outside this range, it is a normal IBAN.
   Example: CH21 3080 8001 2345 6789 0 → digits 5–9 = 30808 → falls within the range 30000–31999 → QR-IBAN.
2. Formally indistinguishable from a normal IBAN: Length, check digits, and format are identical to a normal Swiss IBAN – the only difference lies in the value range of the IID.
3. Valid only with QR reference: A QR-IBAN may only be used together with a 27-digit QR reference (QRR), never without a reference or with a Creditor Reference (RF reference).
4. Not intended for regular transfers: A QR-IBAN is not intended for ordinary credit notes (e.g., salary payments) or as a general bank account. Some banks reject or return such payments if no valid QR reference is provided.
5. Assigned by the bank: The QR-IID is assigned by the account-holding bank; invoicers cannot choose whether they receive a QR-IBAN or a normal IBAN – this depends on the bank's account product.

Payment part specification of the Swiss QR Code

1. Header: Identifies the content as Swiss QR Code data, including version and encoding.
2. Account information (CdtrInf): The IBAN or QR-IBAN of the payee.
3. Payee (Creditor): Name and address of the invoicer, mandatory in structured form (street/house number or P.O. box, postal code, and city recorded separately – combined address lines are no longer allowed).
4. Ultimate Creditor: Reserved field for a different beneficial owner; no longer used according to the current standard.
5. Payment amount: Currency (CHF or EUR) and optionally a fixed amount. If no amount is specified, it can be freely entered by the paying person.
6. Payer (Ultimate Debtor): Optional information about the name and address of the paying person, also structured.
7. Reference: Reference type (QRR, SCOR, or NON) along with the respective reference number – see sections "Types of QR Invoices" and "Structure of the 27-digit Reference Number" above.
8. Additional information: An unstructured message field for free text as well as an optional structured field "Invoice information" (Trailer //S1/...) for machine-readable data such as invoice number, invoice date, discount terms, or VAT details.
9. Alternative methods: Up to two optional parameter lines for alternative, bilaterally agreed payment methods (e.g., Twint), which can be interpreted by the paying app if supported.