Payment habits in Switzerland are specific and require having several solutions adapted to different uses: in-store purchases, online payments, bill payments, and transactions abroad. This article helps you understand how to have the right payment methods for everyday use in Switzerland and to compare the available banking offers.
Bank cards: what to choose between debit or credit?
Check out the Credit Card Comparison Guide in Switzerland in 2025 to find the best option for you.
Debit cards: the standard in Switzerland
- Used for the majority of in-store and online payments.
- Available for free from some neo-banks.
- No credit option, expenses debited immediately.
Credit cards: useful, but not a priority
- Required for certain transactions (hotels, car rentals).
- Offer advantages such as cashback and travel insurance.
- Rarely used for daily purchases due to high fees.
Comparison of banking offers
TWINT: the essential mobile payment tool
TWINT is the most widespread mobile payment application in Switzerland. It allows:
- Instant payments in-store and online.
- Money transfers between individuals without IBAN (payment between friends).
- Bill payment via QR code.
- Collection via QR code for small businesses, temporary stands, and ephemeral events.
- Direct link with a bank account without using a credit card (for the majority of Swiss banks).
- TWINT Prepaid as an alternative for users without a Swiss bank account, with manual balance recharge.
Comparison of banks integrating TWINT
| Bank | TWINT integrated? | TWINT Prepaid? |
| Radicant | ✔︎ | ✘ |
| Revolut | ✘ | ✘ |
| N26 | ✘ | ✘ |
| Yuh | ✔︎ | ✘ |
| Zak | ✔︎ | ✘ |
| Neon | ✘ | ✔︎ |
| CSX | ✔︎ | ✘ |
| Alpian | ✘ | ✔︎ |
Paying bills in Switzerland
Even though there are other payment standards in Switzerland, QR-bills and eBill are the most common solutions for paying invoices.
Comparison of banks facilitating these payments
| Bank | QR-bills | eBill |
| Radicant | ✔︎ | ✔︎ |
| Revolut | ✘ | ✘ |
| N26 | ✘ | ✘ |
| Alpian | ✔︎ | ✔︎ |
| Neon | ✔︎ | ✔︎ |
| Yuh | ✔︎ | ✔︎ |
| Zak | ✔︎ | ✔︎ |
| CSX | ✔︎ | ✔︎ |
International payments: avoiding hidden fees
Foreign currency payments often incur significant fees in traditional banks. Neo-banks offer more competitive alternatives.
Comparison of bank fees
| Bank/Neo-bank | Fees on foreign currency payments |
| Radicant | Variable |
| Revolut | 0% up to 1250 CHF/month, then exchange fees |
| N26 | Variable |
| Neon | 1,5% |
| Yuh | 0,95% |
| Zak | 2.5% + additional fees on certain withdrawals |
Expatriates and newcomers: can foreign payment methods be used in Switzerland?
If you’re arriving in Switzerland, you may be wondering if you can continue using your foreign bank cards or if it’s better to open a local account.
Can you pay with a foreign card in Switzerland?
- Yes, most businesses accept Visa and Mastercard.
- Beware of exchange fees: foreign banks often apply markups.
- Possible limitations: TWINT, local transfers, and certain subscriptions require a Swiss IBAN (strongly recommended), for example for health insurance or local phone subscriptions.
Should you open a Swiss account immediately?
Yes, if:
- You’re staying in Switzerland long-term.
- You want to avoid bank fees on your payments.
- You need TWINT or simplified local payments.
The best banks for an expatriate in Switzerland
| Bank | Account in CHF | CH IBAN | TWINT | Account maintenance fees |
| Neon | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | ✘ | 0 CHF |
| Yuh | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | 0 CHF |
| CSX | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | Variable |
| Revolut | ✔︎ | ✘ | ✘ | 0 CHF up to 1250 CHF exchange |
| N26 | ✔︎ | ✘ | ✘ | Variable |
Checklist: having the right payment methods according to your profile
- You are a Swiss resident: Debit card + TWINT + bank account.
- You are a cross-border worker: Swiss IBAN + EUR account for currency exchange. For a detailed analysis of the best banks suitable for cross-border workers, consult The best banks for cross-border workers in Switzerland.
- Traveler: Multi-currency card (Revolut) + Swiss debit card.
- Digital user: Neo-bank with TWINT and Google/Apple Pay.
General comparative table of banks and neo-banks
| Neo-bank | Debit card | Credit card | TWINT | QR-bills | Currency fees |
| Radicant | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | Variable |
| Revolut | ✔︎ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | 0% up to 1250 CHF |
| N26 | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | ✘ | ✘ | Variable |
| Neon | ✔︎ | ✘ | ✘ | ✔︎ | 1,5% |
| Yuh | ✔︎ | ✘ | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | 0,95% |
| Zak | ✔︎ | ✘ | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | 2,5% |
| CSX | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | Variable |
Conclusion
Having the right payment methods in Switzerland allows you to optimize your transactions and avoid unnecessary fees. It is recommended to combine several banking solutions adapted to your daily usage.
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