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Instant payment
Transfer in real time, around the clock, 365 days a year
Instant payment is recognized for its speed and immediate execution around the clock, 7 days a week, 365 days a year: The payer’s account is usually debited immediately, and the funds are made available on the beneficiary’s account at the same time. UBS immediately displays confirmation of execution to the payer.
Benefits of instant payment
Immediately available
the beneficiary can usually access the money instantly.
Always up to date
the account balance of both parties is updated in real time.
Secure
lower credit risk, debiting and crediting happen at the same time.
FAQs
Instant payment is a payment method in which the money is transferred immediately after the transfer order is issued (usually within 10 seconds) from one account to another, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The payer’s account is debited immediately and virtually at the same time as the funds are made available in the beneficiary's account. This means the beneficiary can usually dispose of the funds immediately.
The speed of instant payment depends on the processing rules of the respective clearing system. As a rule, the funds are transferred to the beneficiary's account within 10 seconds.
For conventional transfers within Switzerland, the money is credited on the next bank working day. Depending on whether the transfer is initiated during the day or at night, on the weekend or a public holiday, this can take several hours or days.
By contrast, with an instant payment, it does not matter what time or day of the week the paying party initiates the transfer – if successful, the payment is usually processed within ten seconds.
With the UBS TWINT app, funds up to a limit of CHF 5,000 can be transferred “instantly” from one TWINT account to another. The beneficiary’s bank credits the amount in advance until it receives the money from the payer’s bank one or two days later, as with a conventional transfer.
With an instant payment, it doesn’t matter what time or what day of the week a transfer is made (including weekends and public holidays). This gives clients the option of making transfers at any time with an “immediate” execution date, and these are usually processed within seconds. With an express payment, the client has the option of submitting an urgent order to UBS with a desired execution date of “today” on weekdays from 12:30 to 16:00 (order placement). The order will be executed by UBS on the same day (the conditions set out in the Payment Transaction Conditions apply).
- Current account balances: the immediate processing of an instant payment means that the payer’s account is debited and the funds are credited to the beneficiary's account without delay.
- Reduction of credit risk: A successful instant payment has an immediate effect on the accounts. This eliminates uncertainties and credit risks in simultaneous and forward transactions for all parties involved in the payment. Instant payments also enable more effective liquidity management.
- Confirmation of execution: Depending on the respective financial institution, the payer may receive immediate confirmation of execution. This lets the payer know that the amount has been credited to the beneficiary’s account. This is particularly useful if the party is looking for a quick credit note.
- For large and small amounts: An instant payment is limited to CHF 20,000, although financial institutions can agree higher limits among themselves.
A surcharge of CHF 5 is applied to instant payments to UBS clients and clients of other banks within Switzerland. The exact conditions can be found in our brochure on services and prices
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For an instant payment you need a payment and debit account in CHF and Digital Banking. When making a new payment, you can select the instant payment option, provided the beneficiary bank accepts instant payments, the payment is made in CHF and the amount limit is not exceeded. The general limit is CHF 20,000, but UBS reserves the right to agree higher limits bilaterally with individual financial institutions. If the limit for a payment is exceeded, the account to be debited does not have sufficient balance the necessary validation checks could not be carried out successfully when the order was placed or an instant payment is not possible for any other reason, you will receive a notification in Digital Banking. Please note that sending instant payments is currently restricted to beneficiaries with a CH or LI IBAN.
The general limit for instant payments is CHF 20,000. You can also set your own daily and transaction limits for instant payments in your Digital Banking settings under "Security – Payments”.
More about Setting limits in Digital Banking.
The receipt of SEPA instant payments in EUR is possible in Switzerland up to the general amount limit of EUR 100,000. You need a EUR account to receive SEPA instant payments in EUR. The sending of instant payments is restricted to CHF and beneficiaries with a CH or LI IBAN until further notice.
Yes, UBS applies the same security measures as it does for conventional transfers to verify the legitimacy of the payment. Credit risks and uncertainties are also eliminated, as successful instant payment has an immediate effect on the accounts and the payer receives an immediate payment confirmation.
