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Bank account and personal information requirements for using Shopify Payments in Switzerland

Before using Shopify Payments in Switzerland, you need to understand the requirements that are in place to comply with regulations and to prevent financial crimes. This article explains why personal information is collected, the accepted types of documentation, and provides guidance for ensuring that your documentation meets the necessary criteria.

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Requirements for using Shopify Payments in Switzerland

Before you use Shopify Payments in Switzerland, ensure that you meet the following requirements:

  • Eligible business types: Certain types of businesses and services aren't permitted to use Shopify Payments. To determine whether your business is eligible, refer to the list of prohibited business types for Switzerland in the Shopify Payments Terms of Service.
  • Bank account requirements: Your bank account must meet the following requirements before you can connect it to Shopify Payments:
    • The bank account must be in EUR currency or if the bank account is based in Switzerland, then it can be in CHF currency.
    • The bank account must be eligible for Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) transfers.
    • The bank account must have an International Bank Account Number (IBAN) that starts with any of the following country codes: AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GI, GR, HR, HU, IE, IT, LT, LU, LV, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, SE, or SI.

Unsupported bank account types

Certain bank account types aren't compatible with Shopify Payments. The following account types aren't supported:

  • Checking accounts that accept only wire transfers: These accounts don't work with Shopify Payments.
  • Savings accounts: Savings accounts can't be used for Shopify Payments payouts.
  • Flex-currency accounts: Accounts that support multiple currencies simultaneously aren't supported.
  • Money transfer services: Services that mimic bank accounts, such as some fintech platforms, can't be used with Shopify Payments.

Although non-Shopify virtual accounts are supported, you can experience more payout failures with these accounts.

To confirm whether your account can accept the transfer type listed for your region, contact your bank.

Purpose of collecting information

Shopify and its banking partners are required to collect and verify information about you and your business to comply with regulations in Switzerland that are designed to prevent financial crimes. As local rules and regulations evolve, you might be contacted by Shopify and its banking partners to provide additional information throughout the lifespan of your Shopify Payments account.

The information that's collected is used to confirm the identity of the business, the identities of individuals linked to the business, and the nature of the relationship between the two.

Shopify never physically mails documentation to you. Any important documents or communications are emailed, or made digitally available to the store owner in the Settings > Users page of your Shopify admin.

Review Shopify's Privacy Policy to learn about how your information is kept confidential and safe.

Required personal and business information for activating Shopify Payments in Switzerland

Correctly identifying your business type is essential because it determines the information that you need to provide.

If you haven't registered with any government agency, or you have registered but run the business as a sole proprietorship (including Einzelfirma/Raison individuelle, sole traders, and the self-employed), then select the Individual / Sole proprietorship business type.

If you have registered your business and have a Unique Enterprise Identification Number (UID), then select your business type based on the following guidance:

  • Partnerships with UIDs (Genossenschaft/Coopérative) must select the incorporated partnership business type.
  • Non-profit organizations with UIDs must select the incorporated non-profit business type.
  • All other businesses with UIDs must select the private corporation business type. Common examples are GmbH and Sàrl.

If you have a registered business, but don't have a UID, then select your business type based on the following guidance:

  • Partnerships without UIDs (Kollektivgesellschaft, Kommanditgesellschaft) must select the unincorporated partnership business type.
  • Non-profit organizations and charities who don't have UIDs must select the unincorporated non-profit business type.

If you're not sure what business type to pick, then contact Shopify Support for help with selecting the right one.

Individuals / Sole proprietorships

Individuals are single owner businesses that haven't registered with the government and are doing business privately. Sole proprietorships are single owner businesses who are registered with the government under their personal information. Both are businesses that are owned and controlled by one individual living in Switzerland. This includes freelancers and self-employed small business operators.

These business types are treated the same way and must provide the same information. Individuals and sole proprietorships must provide the following information:

  • Legal first and last name: Your full legal name as it appears on government-issued documentation.
  • Date of birth: Your birth date.
  • Email address: A valid and active email address.
  • Phone number: A valid and active phone number.
  • Residential address in Switzerland: Your home address, matching your documentation.

Ensure that your name, date of birth, and home address are accurate and that they match your government-issued documentation. If your information can't be verified, then you're asked to update your name and date of birth to match your documentation, and you might be asked for a photo ID. Review the list of acceptable photo ID documents.

If your address can't be automatically verified, then you must upload a proof of address document. When providing this document, ensure that the address listed in your account matches exactly with the address on the document. Update the information in your account to match the document. Review the list of acceptable address documents.

Private corporations (GmbH/Sàrl)

A private corporation is a business whose equity is divided into shares, owned by shareholders. A corporation is considered its own legal entity, separate from the people who run it. They typically also have a board of directors.

Private corporations must assign either a beneficial owner or an executive with decision-making power as their account representative. The account representative must provide the following information:

  • Legal first and last name: Your full legal name as it appears on government-issued documentation.
  • Date of birth: Your birth date.
  • Email address: A valid and active email address.
  • Phone number: A valid and active phone number.
  • Residential address: Your home address, matching your documentation.
  • Job title: The job title you hold with the business.
  • Equity: If applicable, the equity percentage you own of the business.

Ensure that your name, date of birth, and home address are accurate and that they match your government-issued documentation. If your information can't be verified, then you're asked to update your name and date of birth to match your documentation, and you might be asked for a photo ID. Review the list of acceptable photo ID documents.

If your address can't be automatically verified, then you must upload a proof of address document. When providing this document, ensure that the address listed in your account matches exactly with the address on the document. Update the information in your account to match the document. Review the list of acceptable address documents.

Private corporations also need to provide the following details about their business:

  • Registered business name: The legal business name as shown in government registries.
  • Unique Enterprise Identification Number (UID): The business's UID as shown in government registries.
  • VAT number: Your VAT registration number, if applicable.
  • Business phone number: An active contact phone number for the business.
  • Business address: The official registered address of the business as shown in government registries.

Shopify banking partners verify your information by comparing it against government registries in Switzerland. Pay careful attention to case, punctuation, and symbols.

If the information you provide about the business can't be verified, then you might need to provide a business verification document. When providing this document, ensure that the registered name, UID, and business address listed in your account match exactly with the information on the document. Update the information in your account to match the document. Review the list of acceptable business documents.

If you're a beneficial owner of the company, then you also need to list any other people who are beneficial owners. Ensure you enter their names, dates of birth, and home addresses exactly as shown on their government documents. If their identities can't be verified automatically, then they might need to provide a photo ID or proof of address.

Incorporated partnerships (Genossenschaft/Coopérative)

An incorporated partnership is a business owned by at least two partners, who have registered for commercial activity and obtained a Unique Enterprise Identification Number (UID). Incorporated partnerships have equity, and the partnership is its own entity, separate from the owners.

Incorporated partnerships must designate an owner or partner as the account representative of their Shopify Payments account. The account representative must provide the following information:

  • Legal first and last name: Your full legal name as it appears on government-issued documentation.
  • Date of birth: Your birth date.
  • Email address: A valid and active email address.
  • Phone number: A valid and active phone number.
  • Residential address: Your home address, matching your documentation.
  • Job title: The job title you hold with the business.
  • Equity: If applicable, the equity percentage you own of the business.

Ensure that your name, date of birth, and home address are accurate and that they match your government-issued documentation. If your information can't be verified, then you're asked to update your name and date of birth to match your documentation, and you might be asked for a photo ID. Review the list of acceptable photo ID documents.

If your address can't be automatically verified, then you must upload a proof of address document. When providing this document, ensure that the address listed in your account matches exactly with the address on the document. Update the information in your account to match the document. Review the list of acceptable address documents.

Incorporated partnerships also need to provide the following details about their business:

  • Registered business name: The legal business name as shown in government registries.
  • Unique Enterprise Identification Number (UID): The business's UID as shown in government registries.
  • VAT number: Your VAT registration number, if applicable.
  • Business phone number: An active contact phone number for the business.
  • Business address: The official registered address of the business as shown in government registries.

Shopify banking partners verify your information by comparing it against government registries in Switzerland. Pay careful attention to case, punctuation, and symbols.

If the information you provide about the business can't be verified, then you might need to provide a business verification document. When providing this document, ensure that the registered name, UID, and business address listed in your account match exactly with the information on the document. Update the information in your account to match the document. Review the list of acceptable business documents.

You must additionally list any other people who are owners or partners. Ensure you enter their names, dates of birth, and home addresses exactly as shown on their government documents. If their identities can't be verified automatically, then they might need to provide a photo ID or proof of address.

Unincorporated partnerships (Kollektivgesellschaft, Kommanditgesellschaft)

An unincorporated partnership is a business owned by at least two partners, who haven't registered for a Unique Enterprise Identification Number (UID), but who have a partnership agreement. The owners are considered the legal entity in this case, and the business is not a separate entity.

Unincorporated partnerships must designate an owner as the account representative of their Shopify Payments account. The account representative must provide the following information:

  • Legal first and last name: Your full legal name as it appears on government-issued documentation.
  • Date of birth: Your birth date.
  • Email address: A valid and active email address.
  • Phone number: A valid and active phone number.
  • Residential address: Your home address, matching your documentation.
  • Job title: The job title you hold with the business.
  • Equity: If applicable, the equity percentage you own of the business.

Ensure that your name, date of birth, and home address are accurate and that they match your government-issued documentation. If your information can't be verified, then you're asked to update your name and date of birth to match your documentation, and you might be asked for a photo ID. Review the list of acceptable photo ID documents.

If your address can't be automatically verified, then you must upload a proof of address document. When providing this document, ensure that the address listed in your account matches exactly with the address on the document. Update the information in your account to match the document. Review the list of acceptable address documents.

Unincorporated partnerships also need to provide the following details about their business:

  • Registered business name: The legal business name as shown on documentation.
  • VAT number: Your VAT registration number, if applicable.
  • Business phone number: An active contact phone number for the business.
  • Business address: The official registered address of the business as shown on documentation.

Shopify banking partners verify your information by comparing it against government registries in Switzerland. Pay careful attention to case, punctuation, and symbols.

If the information you provide about the business can't be verified, then you might need to provide a business verification document. When providing this document, ensure that the registered name and business address listed in your account match exactly with the information on the document. Update the information in your account to match the document. Review the list of acceptable business documents.

You must additionally list any other people who are owners or partners. Ensure you enter their names, dates of birth, and home addresses exactly as shown on their government documents. If their identities can't be verified automatically, then they might need to provide a photo ID or proof of address.

Incorporated non-profits

A non-profit (NPO) is an entity that's established for purposes other than generating profit for its shareholders. Its primary mission is to serve a public or community benefit. Incorporated non-profits have registered for commercial purposes and obtained a Unique Enterprise Identification Number (UID).

Incorporated non-profits must assign either a director or an executive with decision-making power as their account representative. The account representative must provide the following information:

  • Legal first and last name: Your full legal name as it appears on government-issued documentation.
  • Date of birth: Your birth date.
  • Email address: A valid and active email address.
  • Phone number: A valid and active phone number.
  • Residential address: Your home address, matching your documentation.
  • Job title: The job title you hold with the business.
  • Equity: If applicable, the equity percentage you own of the business.

Ensure that your name, date of birth, and home address are accurate and that they match your government-issued documentation. If your information can't be verified, then you're asked to update your name and date of birth to match your documentation, and you might be asked for a photo ID. Review the list of acceptable photo ID documents.

If your address can't be automatically verified, then you must upload a proof of address document. When providing this document, ensure that the address listed in your account matches exactly with the address on the document. Update the information in your account to match the document. Review the list of acceptable address documents.

Incorporated non-profits also need to provide the following details about their business:

  • Registered business name: The legal business name as shown in government registries.
  • Unique Enterprise Identification Number (UID): The business's UID as shown in government registries.
  • VAT number: Your VAT registration number, if applicable.
  • Business phone number: An active contact phone number for the business.
  • Business address: The official registered address of the business as shown in government registries.

Shopify banking partners verify your information by comparing it against government registries in Switzerland. Pay careful attention to case, punctuation, and symbols.

If the information you provide about the business can't be verified, then you might need to provide a business verification document. When providing this document, ensure that the registered name, UID, and business address listed in your account match exactly with the information on the document. Update the information in your account to match the document. Review the list of acceptable business documents.

You must additionally list any other people who are on your board of directors or who are key decision makers. Ensure you enter their names, dates of birth, and home addresses exactly as shown on their government documents. If their identities can't be verified automatically, then they might need to provide a photo ID or proof of address.

Unincorporated non-profits

A non-profit (NPO) is an entity that's established for purposes other than generating profit for its shareholders. Its primary mission is to serve a public or community benefit. An unincorporated non-profit doesn't have a Unique Enterprise Identification Number (UID), but has registered with local courts and has non-profit status.

Unincorporated non-profits must assign a key decision maker or organizer as their account representative, and mark that person as an executive. The account representative must provide the following information:

  • Legal first and last name: Your full legal name as it appears on government-issued documentation.
  • Date of birth: Your birth date.
  • Email address: A valid and active email address.
  • Phone number: A valid and active phone number.
  • Residential address: Your home address, matching your documentation.
  • Job title: The job title you hold with the business.
  • Equity: If applicable, the equity percentage you own of the business.

Ensure that your name, date of birth, and home address are accurate and that they match your government-issued documentation. If your information can't be verified, then you're asked to update your name and date of birth to match your documentation, and you might be asked for a photo ID. Review the list of acceptable photo ID documents.

If your address can't be automatically verified, then you must upload a proof of address document. When providing this document, ensure that the address listed in your account matches exactly with the address on the document. Update the information in your account to match the document. Review the list of acceptable address documents.

Unincorporated non-profits also need to provide the following details about their business:

  • Registered business name: The legal business name as shown on documentation.
  • VAT number: Your VAT registration number, if applicable.
  • Business phone number: An active contact phone number for the business.
  • Business address: The official registered address of the business as shown on documentation.

Shopify banking partners verify your information by comparing it against government registries in Switzerland. Pay careful attention to case, punctuation, and symbols.

If the information you provide about the business can't be verified, then you might need to provide a business verification document. When providing this document, ensure that the registered name and business address listed in your account match exactly with the information on the document. Update the information in your account to match the document. Review the list of acceptable business documents.

You must additionally list any other people who are on your board of directors or who are key decision makers. Ensure you enter their names, dates of birth, and home addresses exactly as shown on their government documents. If their identities can't be verified automatically, then they might need to provide a photo ID or proof of address.

Acceptable document types

This section explains which documents you can use to verify your identity and business details.

Identity documents

The following documents are accepted as proof of identity. The name and date of birth on your Shopify Payments account must be updated to match the information shown in the identity document you're providing. The documents must be valid and must not be expired.

  • Passport
  • Driving license
  • National ID - Photographs of the front and back are required.
  • Residence permit

Address documents

The name and address on your Shopify Payments account must be updated to match the information displayed in the address documents that you're providing. The following documents are accepted as proof of address:

  • Utility bill (dated within the last 6 months)
  • Financial statement (dated within the last 6 months)
  • Government-issued letter (dated within the last 6 months)
  • Wohnsitzbestätigung / Attestation de résidence / Certificato di domicilio (Residence certificate)

Business verification documents

The following documents are accepted for business verification. They must clearly display the legal entity name, UID, and address of your business. The details on your Shopify Payments account must be updated to match the information displayed in the documents that you're providing.

  • Handelsregistereintrag / Inscription au registre du commerce / Registro di commercio del cantone (Commercial register entry)
  • Handelsregisterauszug / Extrait du registre du commerce / Numero d'identificazione delle imprese (IDI) dell'Ufficio Federale di Statistica (Commercial register extract)
  • Gründungsurkunde / Statuts constitutifs / Atto costitutivo (Articles of incorporation)
  • MwSt-Registrierung / Immatriculation à la TVA / Registro IVA (VAT Registration)
  • Jahresabschluss / Etats financiers / Rendiconto finanziario (Financial statement)

Ensuring documentation compliance

When providing your documents, ensure that they meet the necessary criteria. Review the following guidelines to ensure compliance:

  • Accuracy: Ensure that the information on your documents matches what you've entered in your Shopify Payments account. Update your account to match your documents, if necessary.
  • Clarity and legibility: Make sure that your documents are clear and large enough to read. Ensure the entire document is visible in the photograph.
  • Completeness: Ensure all the necessary details are visible on your document. Review the acceptable document types listed on this page to understand what details must be included on the document.
  • Original documentation: Take an original photograph of your document using a camera. Don't photocopy, scan, or screenshot your documents. Don't paste photos of documents into other documents. Don't take photos of computer screens or printouts.
    • If your document was issued to you digitally, then provide the PDF file with all pages as it was originally given to you, with no alterations.
  • Validity: Ensure photo IDs aren't expired and that proof of address is recently issued. If providing proof of business registration, then your business should still be actively registered and in good standing.

Troubleshooting common issues

Before contacting Shopify Support, review these common onboarding issues and their solutions.

My document was rejected

Ensure the information on your account matches your document exactly, and update your account if needed. If your documents are still being rejected, then refer to the following sections on this page:

My business information isn't being verified

When entering your business information, ensure that your business name, Unique Enterprise Identification Number (UID), and address match exactly as they appear in government registries. This includes:

  • Correct letter case (uppercase and lowercase)
  • Correct punctuation and spacing
  • Complete business name as registered

Shopify banking partners verify your information automatically by comparing it against official registries. Even small differences can cause verification to fail. Ensure the documentation you're submitting includes the legal name, UID, and business address, and that these details match what's in your account. Update your account to match your document, if necessary.

My address can't be automatically verified

If your address can't be automatically verified, then you'll be asked to provide a proof of address document. Proof of address documents must include your full name and home address, and must be one of the accepted document types. Before uploading your document:

  1. Confirm that the address on your Shopify Payments account matches exactly with the address on your proof of address document.
  2. Update your account information to match your document, if necessary.
  3. Confirm that the document includes your own full name. If you have a utility bill in someone else's name, then you'll need to provide a different document.
  4. Upload a clear photograph of the document.
My payment is pending

Check the order's timeline to confirm whether the payment was successful. If the status is failed, then you'll need to create a new draft order and send it to your customer to capture the funds.

My refunds are pending

If you're using a CHF bank account, then refunds and chargebacks aren't debited from your bank account. Instead, negative amounts remain as a negative balance until future sales offset them. This can cause refund transactions to appear as pending, but the refunds themselves are processed successfully.

If you're using a EUR bank account, then negative balances are debited normally.

My payouts are failing with a virtual bank account

Virtual bank accounts such as Revolut and Payoneer are accepted for payouts, but have a higher payout failure rate than traditional bank accounts. If your payouts are failing, then consider using a standard bank account instead.

Frequently asked questions

Review these frequently asked questions about Shopify Payments requirements in Switzerland.

Why do you need my photo ID and proof of address if I'm a company, partnership, or non-profit?

Even if you're set up as a company, partnership, or non-profit, Shopify banking partners are required by regulations in Switzerland to verify the identities of the people associated with the business, including who they are and where they're located.

I'm a citizen of Switzerland and was born there, but I don't currently live in Switzerland. Can I use Shopify Payments in Switzerland?

If your business type is Individual / Sole proprietorship, then you're required to live in Switzerland to be eligible for Shopify Payments in Switzerland. If you don't currently live in Switzerland, then you should create a Shopify Payments account for the region where you do live.

Update your store address to your current location. If your location is eligible for Shopify Payments, then you can create a Shopify Payments account for that region instead.

If you're a partnership, company, or non-profit, then you're not required to personally live in Switzerland, but your business must be registered in Switzerland and have a Swiss business address. If you need help, then contact Shopify Support.

I'm a partnership in Switzerland and I'm being asked for a UID, but I don't have one. What should I do?

If you're a partnership being asked for a UID but don't have one, then you're set up as the incorrect business type. If you're in the process of setting up the account, then go back to the business type selection screen and select Unincorporated partnership.

If you've already set up the account and are being asked for a UID as part of your verification process, then contact Shopify Support for assistance with updating your business type.

I'm a publicly traded company in Switzerland. Which business type should I select?

You should select Private corporation. For the purposes of business and identity verification, the process for public and privately owned companies is identical.

You can skip the section of the account setup form that asks you to add owners. If you've already set up the account and are being asked for ownership information as part of your verification process, then contact Shopify Support for assistance with updating your business type.

I don't have a UID, but I'm not an individual or sole proprietor. Which business type should I select?

If you don't have a UID, then you can select either unincorporated partnership or unincorporated non-profit as your business type. Both of these business types still need to provide the applicable business documentation confirming that they're otherwise registered as a business entity in Switzerland.

If neither of these business types fits your business, then you should select Individual / Sole proprietorship and assign a key decision maker or owner as the account representative.

Will I be charged VAT on my Shopify Payments processing fees?

Yes. VAT is charged on Shopify Payments processing fees in Switzerland. Tax invoices appear on the payouts page, and you can export a list of your transactions as a CSV file from Settings > Payments > Shopify Payments.

My account was already verified. Why am I being asked to provide new information?

Regulatory and financial partner requirements change over time. When this happens, you might need to provide additional information to remain compliant. You'll receive these requests through a banner or alert in your admin and a corresponding email. You must complete these requests to continue using Shopify Payments.

Before you contact Shopify Support about Shopify Payments in Switzerland

Before contacting Shopify Support, gather this information to help resolve your issue faster:

  • Screenshots of any error messages you received, with sensitive information such as bank account numbers removed
  • The business type you selected during setup
  • Your Unique Enterprise Identification Number (UID), if applicable
  • The specific step where you encountered the issue
  • The browser and device you're using
  • Your bank account type and currency (EUR or CHF), without your full IBAN
  • Any documents you've uploaded and when you uploaded them

Having this information ready helps Shopify Support assist you more efficiently.