Payment Terms in Switzerland: What to State on Your Invoice

Swiss law does not prescribe a payment deadline, which means the term you write on the invoice is what governs. Stating it clearly protects your cash flow.

The standard terms

30 days is the de-facto standard for B2B invoices. It is long enough to be reasonable and short enough to keep cash moving. State it explicitly — do not leave it implied.

For private clients or small amounts, shorter terms of 10 to 14 days are common. Consumers are used to paying promptly.

Payment is generally due immediately if no term is stated, but relying on that invites confusion. An explicit term removes all doubt.

Whatever term you choose, make it visible on the invoice. The due date, not just the number of days, should be clearly readable.

• 30 days for most B2B invoices.
• 10–14 days for private clients or small amounts.
• Immediate payment if no term is stated.
• State the due date clearly.

Why explicitness matters

If you do not state a term, the customer has no clear deadline, and chasing payment becomes harder. An explicit term also anchors any later reminder or dunning process.

A stated due date is the starting point for default interest and dunning fees. Without it, you have no clear moment from which to count.

Explicit terms set expectations before the work is done. A customer who has agreed to 30 days is far easier to collect from than one who assumed otherwise.

Clarity protects the relationship. Ambiguity about payment is a common source of friction between freelancers and their clients.

• Creates a clear deadline.
• Anchors reminders and dunning.
• Sets expectations up front.
• Protects the client relationship.

Special cases

For long projects, agree milestone payments instead of a single invoice at the end. This shortens your exposure and spreads the client’s cost.

New clients may warrant a deposit or payment in advance. This is normal and reduces the risk of non-payment on a first engagement.

Large projects should be staged so that each phase is invoiced and paid before the next begins. Never let a single balance grow too large.

If a client asks for longer terms, treat it as a negotiation. Longer terms mean you are effectively financing the client, and that has a cost.

• Milestone payments for long projects.
• Deposits for new clients.
• Stage large projects in phases.
• Negotiate longer terms deliberately.

Incentives for fast payment

Consider an early-payment incentive, such as 2% off if paid within 10 days, to reward fast payers. It costs a little margin but reliably improves cash flow.

State the discount and its deadline directly on the invoice so there is no ambiguity about how to claim it.

A discount is a tool, not a default. Use it when cash is tight or clients are habitually slow, not on every invoice as a giveaway.