Practical Geneva

Most invoices are issued with a QR code. The State of Geneva, the banks and the Post Office issue ISRs (payment slips – BVR in French) with this feature.

You have various payment options :

• at the post office,
• to your bank with a payment order,
• online, on the internet (bank, post office).

For fixed monthly bills, two payment methods are widely used in Switzerland :

• by standing order (BVR) with a defined frequency and amount,
• by direct debit order (LSV), authorizing your bank to debit your account for payment of bills. For more information, see the Banque Cantonale de Genève page.

Checks are rarely used as means of payment in Switzerland, under certain conditions (example BCGE).

Today more than a hundred banking establishments are present in Geneva, which is recognized as a global financial center with a rich and long tradition in both wealth management and commodity trading. More information on the website of the Geneva Financial Center Foundation.

Different places allow you to withdraw money (CHF/EUR) in town at cash dispensers (DAB or “bancomats” in Switzerland) and at many exchange offices. Most banks have branches spread throughout the canton, some with extended hours :

• Cantonal banks : BCGE (Geneva) and BCV (Vaud).
• Retail banks : Raiffeisen , Banque Migros and Banque Cler (Coop).
• Major banks : UBS , Credit Suisse.
• Private banks : Association of Swiss Private Banks.

All about :

• send and receive letters and parcels,
• pay your bills via PostFinance and online services,
• find the branch closest to you and its opening hours.

Geneva has two major post offices in the city center with extended services and hours :

• Mont-Blanc post.
• Montbrillant substation (Cornavin Depot).