Swiss Payment Monitor
Since 2018, the Swiss Payment Monitor has tracked payment behaviour in Switzerland. The study series is a joint research project of the University of St. Gallen and ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences.
The survey combines two perspectives: a representative consumer survey with a personal payment diary, and an analysis of publicly available data from the Swiss National Bank on electronic payment transactions. Together, they provide a comprehensive picture of payment behaviour in Switzerland.
Current results, the study design and an interactive dashboard with all key figures are available on the Swiss Payment Monitor website.
The Swiss Payment Monitor at a glance
- Conducted twice yearly by the University of St. Gallen and ZHAW
- Conducted since 2018
- Combines consumer survey, electronic payment diary and SNB data
Industry Partners
- Worldline
- Worldline Switzerland AG is one of the largest payment service providers in Switzerland and the market leader in cashless payments. The company emerged from the former SIX Payment Services, which was acquired by the French Worldline Group in 2018.
- Swiss Payment Association
- The Swiss Payment Association (SPA) is the industry association of Swiss credit card issuers. It represents its members' interests to politics, authorities, media and the public, and promotes a secure, efficient and innovative cashless payment system. Members include UBS, PostFinance, Swisscard, Viseca, Cornèr Bank and Cembra.
- Nets Switzerland AG
- Nets Switzerland AG (now part of the Nexi Group) is a payment service provider (PSP) and acquirer. The company enables merchants to accept card payments and digital payment methods, both in-store and online. Nets works with international card networks such as Visa and Mastercard as well as local payment methods, and serves primarily merchants and businesses.
Study Design of the Swiss Payment Monitor
The Swiss Payment Monitor aims to provide a comprehensive view of the Swiss payment landscape from different angles. By combining several research methods, the study offers an integrated perspective on the payment market. The recurring semi-annual survey captures new developments and identifies key drivers over time.
The study consists of two parts. The micro perspective comprises a standardized online survey on payment behaviour and a payment diary completed by respondents. The macro perspective is based on an analysis of publicly available data from the Swiss National Bank (SNB) on electronic payment transactions.
Micro Perspective: Payment behavior of the Swiss population
The micro perspective reflects the consumer view. It captures the payment habits, perceptions and attitudes of the Swiss population toward different payment methods.
Each survey wave includes around 1,000 to 1,200 people aged 18 to 65 from German-, French- and Italian-speaking Switzerland. The most recent wave (14th edition, 1/2026) surveyed 1,173 people. The sample is representative of the population by language region, gender, age and education level.
- Online survey: In the first step, participants answer online questions about payment habits. The focus is on self-perception and respondents' assessment of various aspects of their payment behaviour. The survey takes around 25 minutes and runs twice a year, in spring and autumn; the most recent wave ran from late October to mid-November 2025.
- Payment diary: Following the online survey, participants keep an electronic payment diary for 7 days. They record all payments made during the day, excluding recurring expenses, and classify them according to predefined criteria. Compared with the online survey, this part focuses on actual payment behaviour and any discrepancies with the self-reported answers from the first part. The payment diary can be kept online or via a mobile app, allowing transactions to be recorded shortly after purchase.
Macro perspective: Cashless payments in Switzerland
The macro perspective relates to economy-wide indicators. It captures payment transactions at an aggregate level, based on publicly available data from the Swiss National Bank (SNB). It provides an unbiased picture of cashless payment transactions within Switzerland and with Swiss payment cards abroad, both in terms of the number and value of cashless transactions. It also provides information on actual cash withdrawals made with payment cards.
About Us
ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences
ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences is one of Switzerland's leading universities of applied sciences, with eight schools and around 14,800 students. It was founded in 2007 through the merger of the ZHW, HSW, HAP and HSSAZ, and is active in teaching, executive education, research and services.
Beyond degree programs and executive education, ZHAW's mandate as a university of applied sciences includes conducting practice-oriented research, promoting technology transfer to small and medium-sized enterprises, and providing services to third parties. Knowledge gained through research flows back into teaching and practice, benefiting both a defined user community and society at large.
ZHAW School of Management and Law is one of the largest business schools in Switzerland, with around 9,000 students in degree programs and executive education. It is the only Swiss university of applied sciences listed in the Financial Times rankings.
Swiss Payment Research Center (SPRC)
The Swiss Payment Research Center (SPRC), which contributes to the Swiss Payment Monitor, is an independent, national centre of excellence for cashless payment transactions. It has been part of the Institute of Marketing Management (IMM) since 2012, combining IMM's marketing expertise with the payment industry, and examines industry-specific research questions on a sound theoretical and practical basis.
The SPRC's research focuses on strategic, micro- and macroeconomic questions as well as behavioural research, including customer behaviour, optimal pricing and the macroeconomic significance of individual payment methods. The SPRC operates its own test lab, where new payment technologies and behavioural change can be studied using behavioural-change models.
Findings from this research are implemented on a project basis in collaboration with the financial industry, associations and other stakeholders, helping them deploy and further develop payment methods to meet user needs.
University of St. Gallen (HSG)
The University of St. Gallen (HSG) is one of Europe's leading business universities. Since its founding in 1898 as a school of commerce, it has trained specialists and executives. All degree programs and courses are characterized by a strong practical focus.
HSG's thirty institutes offer students qualified degrees in business administration, economics, law, social sciences and international affairs. The university's reputation rests on high academic standards and a long tradition as a leading training ground for top talent.
Students, researchers, alumni and supporters together form one of the largest networks in the business world. HSG regularly achieves top positions in international business school rankings, including the Financial Times ranking of European business schools.
Executive School of Management, Technology and Law (ES-HSG)
The Executive School of Management, Technology and Law (ES-HSG) is the University of St. Gallen's executive education organization. It offers its own executive education programs and provides access to a broad portfolio of executive education in management, law, technology and economics from across the university's institutes. The offering is aimed at professionals at all career stages; select subject areas also involve ongoing research into current and relevant topics.