Solution for cyber attacks or technical disruptions: In Switzerland, you will soon be able to pay with cards offline as well
The government and national bank have developed a solution with the private sector on how to pay with cards even without a data connection. However, this is only possible for essential products such as food or medicine.
The Swiss government and National Bank have developed a solution with the private sector to enable card payments without a data connection, but only for essential products like food and medicine. The new offline payment system, presented by Bundesrat Guy Parmelin and SNB President Martin Schlegel, allows for card payments using a physical debit or credit card and PIN input, but not contactless or mobile payments.
The solution is limited to domestic cards and essential goods, and transactions will be processed when the data connection is restored. The system is expected to be introduced by the end of 2027, making Switzerland the first country in Central Europe to have widespread offline payment capabilities.
Written by urgent.news from NZZ Wirtschaft's report — not a translation of it. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
