Taler – a digital payment system as private as cash.

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.

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).

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.

Many payment systems charge high fees to process transactions. Individuals usually don’t notice this. However, businesses, restaurants, and online stores must factor these costs into their pricing. The Taler Wallet and all its features will remain free in Switzerland through the end of 2027, and even after that, it will be significantly cheaper than current alternatives. Should a fee ever be charged, it will be displayed to you before you make the payment.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.