You cannot pay your bills by check in Switzerland. Instead, the bills you receive will be accompanied by payment instructions in the form of a payment slip.

There are two types of payment slips:

Red payment slips ( bulletin de versement or BV in French) provide the following information:

• the bank or postal account number for payment
• the amount to be paid
• the reason for payment

Orange payment slips ( bulletin de versement avec référence or BVR in French), which are generally used by service providers such as utility and insurance companies as well as the tax authorities, provide the following information:

• the bank or postal account number for payment
• the amount to be paid (generally pre-printed)
• a reference number

There are three ways to settle bills using a payment slip:

• online using BCV-net, our online banking service (the quickest and easiest way)
• by sending the slip to BCV along with a BCV-top payment order
• at the post office in cash

Regular, fixed payments such as rent and health insurance can be automatically debited from your account at regular intervals in one of two ways:

• by obtaining a direct debit request form (known as LSV in French) from the biller, filling it in and sending it to your bank
• by setting up a standing order (online, over the counter or by mail).

BCV also offers an online payment system enabling you to receive and pay “e-bills” directly on BCV-net.