Taler – a digital payment system as private as cash.

The Taler Wallet app functions as a digital wallet. Once installed, the "Withdraw" feature allows you to transfer digital cash from your bank account to your wallet. However, please note the standard processing times for bank transfers in Switzerland. With the Taler Wallet app, you can pay as usual via QR code or NFC.

Why Taler

Discover the future of digital payments.

No data trails

Other payment providers collect and analyse information about your shopping habits. With Taler, your purchases remain private.

No fees until the end of 2027

Taler is free to use through the end of 2027.

More about fees

Keep spending under control

The Taler Wallet has no access to your bank account. You can only spend what you have previously transferred to it.

100% free software

The entire Taler payment system is developed as free software: transparent, verifiable and open to improvement.

3 steps to get started with Taler:

1

Install the wallet

Download Taler Wallet on your phone:

2

Withdraw digital cash

Tap on "Withdraw CHF", enter an amount and confirm

3

Pay

Scan a QR code or use NFC and confirm the payment

Pay with Taler Wallet

Start a QR-code scan

Scan the QR code, confirm the amount, and you are done.

Or hold the phone—with Taler Wallet open—against an NFC tag

Allow NFC, confirm the payment, and you are done.

Here you can pay in person with eCHF using Taler:

Important functions

Top up your wallet

“Withdraw” provides the transfer details needed to top up your wallet. Allow up to two bank working days for the transfer.

Taler Wallet withdrawal function

Transfer money to your bank account

Use “Deposit” to transfer money from your wallet app back to your bank account.

Taler Wallet deposit function

Send money to another Taler Wallet

Use “Send” to send an amount to another Taler Wallet. The payment is booked once the recipient accepts it. Because anyone can use the link or QR code, send it through an encrypted channel such as a secure messenger.

Request money from another Taler Wallet

Use “Request” to receive money from another Taler Wallet by QR code or link. The other party must approve the payment.

FAQs (frequently asked questions)

A regular wallet and your Taler Wallet app have a lot in common. For example, you can only spend money that you've previously withdrawn from your account. You can find more answers to your questions here in our FAQs:

Discover Taler

What sets Taler apart from other payment systems?

Fees and privacy. Many payment service providers sell their customers' data. Where do you go on vacation? How much do you spend on a meal or concert tickets? With the Taler Wallet app, this information stays private.

Why another payment system?

The Taler payment system opens up a wide range of possibilities. In theory, you’ll soon be able to use your Taler Wallet app to pay in local currency in any country around the world. At festivals, the plastic tokens commonly used there could also be conveniently replaced with digital payments via Taler Wallets (like at the "Datenspuren", see https://datenspuren.de/2025/taler/index.html).

Is Taler safe?

Yes, Taler is as secure as cash. Once a transaction has been completed, it cannot be reversed. If you lose your smartphone with a full wallet, your funds will be gone—just like with a physical wallet. If you have created a backup, you can restore your balance using it.

Set up and protect your wallet

Why do I need to add funds to the Taler Wallet app?

You are not linking the Taler Wallet app to your bank account. Just like with a real wallet, you can only spend the digital money you have in your Taler Wallet. When adding funds, please keep in mind that transfers may take up to 2 business days to process.

Can I also back up the money in my Taler Wallet?

Yes, by backing up your Taler Wallet app, you’ll keep your money even if you lose your smartphone. Any funds that have already been spent cannot be used again, even after restoring an older backup.

Can I secure access to my Taler Wallet app?

Yes, go to Settings and choose Protect access to wallet. If you enable this option, your device’s security measures—such as your fingerprint or password—will also be used to protect the app.

Is Taler Wallet also available from the alternative F-Droid app store?

Yes. You can download Taler Wallet from the F-Droid store. Please note that Google is currently making it more difficult to use F-Droid on conventional Android systems.

Pay with Taler

Do I need to be online to pay with Taler Wallet?

Yes, your smartphone must be connected to a Wi-Fi network or mobile data.

Can I make a payment if there is no money or not enough money in the Taler Wallet app?

No, just like with your regular wallet, you can only spend as much money as you have in your Taler Wallet app. This way, you can always keep track of your spending.

Where can I pay using the Taler Wallet app?

The number of locations that already accept payments via Taler Wallet is growing steadily. Currently, the focus is on Biel/Bienne. You can view the current locations that accept Taler Wallet on our map.

Can I also pay online using the Taler Wallet app?

Yes, there are already some online stores where you can pay for your purchases or tickets using the Taler Wallet app.

Manage your money and payments

I already have money in my Taler Wallet. How do I transfer it to my bank account?

To transfer money from your Taler Wallet to your own bank account, you must first transfer money from that same account to your wallet once. This verifies that the bank account belongs to you. A transfer of one cent is sufficient. Please allow up to 2 business days for the bank transfer to be processed.

How does the return process work if I paid for the item using the Taler Wallet app?

When you pay using Taler Wallet, you will automatically receive a receipt in your app. This receipt serves as proof that you purchased the item. The purchase amount will be refunded by the respective company.

What happens if I uninstall the Taler Wallet app?

It's like throwing away your wallet. If you still have money in your Taler Wallet app, it will be lost if you don't have a backup.

About Taler and support

Who is behind Taler?

The Taler payment system is being developed as a project at the Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH) in Biel by staff and numerous students working under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Christian Grothoff. The "Next Generation Internet" (NGI) TALER pilot project, established for this purpose, includes eleven European companies, universities, values-driven banks, and civil society organizations. Their goal: to improve digital payments. Taler is currently being rolled out in Switzerland, and negotiations are underway with the first EU countries, such as Germany and Hungary.

Who should I contact if I have any problems?

Are you having problems with your Taler Wallet app? If so, please send us an email describing as precisely as possible what isn’t working as expected. Please also include your smartphone’s operating system and the version number of your Taler Wallet app (found under Settings). Our email address is support@taler.net.

How are Taler Systems SA and Taler Operations AG connected?

Taler Operations AG is responsible for market entry in Switzerland. Taler Systems SA is based in Luxembourg and is responsible for developing the entire Taler payment system.

Fees

Will I be charged fees if I pay with the Taler Wallet?

No, the Taler payment system will remain free for all users through the end of 2027. If fees are ever charged for a payment after that, you’ll see the cost listed alongside the purchase amount in the app. You’ll always have the option to choose not to pay via Taler Wallet.

From 2028, transaction fees are expected to remain minimal. The fee depends on the coin denominations used; the table shows the anticipated fee structure.

Wire transfer fee

These are the anticipated wire transfer fees starting from 2028. They may increase if our core banking partners increase their fees.

  • Charge: 0.2 CHF per wire transfer.
  • Merchants can delay settlement to allow aggregation of many deposits into one wire transfer. As a result, this fee may only apply once per day, week, month, quarter or even year depending on the merchant's configuration choices and cash-flow requirements.
  • Fee Deduction: Directly from the wired amount.

Deposit fees

These are the anticipated deposit fees starting from 2028. They may increase if the central bank lowers interest rates until then.

  • Charges vary based on coin denomination used.
  • Merchants should choose to cover typical fees to ensure customers do not see surcharges.
  • Customers are informed about deposit fees the merchant does not cover before each transaction.
Fee structure
Coin value range Fee per coin
0.0025 CHF–0.64 CHF0.0025 CHF
1.28 CHF–10.24 CHF0.005 CHF
20.48 CHF–655.36 CHF0.01 CHF

Merchants should use their portal to set the merchant backend to cover customary fees 💹.

Bounce fee

These are the anticipated bounce fees starting from 2028. They may increase if our core banking partners increase their fees.

  • Charge: 0.2 CHF for returned funds.
  • Reasons: Unclaimed funds after 4 weeks, or incorrect wire transfer details.
  • Avoidance: Ensure correct details and wallet connectivity within a month.

Possible loss of e-money due to expiration

  • Validity: Taler Operations AG issues eCHF valid for 1 year.
  • Auto-renewal: Taler Wallets auto-exchange expiring eCHF one month prior.
  • Requirement: You need a regular wallet connectivity to the Internet to prevent loss of funds.