Open a Bank Account in Switzerland: the Easy Way in October 2025
Opening a bank account in Switzerland, whether you’re a resident, expatriate, non-resident, or cross-border worker, is essential if you have connections with Switzerland. Here are the steps, necessary documents, available options, and fees to help you make the best choice.
How do I open a bank account in Switzerland?
Banking options
Switzerland offers a variety of banking options to suit different needs and customer profiles. Here’s an overview of the main banks:
Online banking / neo-banking
- Revolut: Offers multi-currency accounts with reduced fees on international transactions. Guide and review on Revolut Switzerland
- NEON: Known for its simple and fee-free banking services. Guide and review on NEON
- Zak: Offers free accounts with integrated financial management tools (Note: Zak is not available to non-Swiss residents). Guide and Reviews on Zak
- Yuh: 100% owned by Swissquote, it offers modern and innovative banking services. Yuh Guide and Review
- CSX: Offers multi-currency accounts and comprehensive banking services. Guide and review on CSX
- Radicant: Known for its eco-friendly and sustainable banking offerings. Guide and review on Radicant
- WISE: Offers multi-currency accounts with reduced fees on international transactions. Guide and review on WISE Switzerland
- N26: Offers EUR accounts with reduced fees for international transactions. Guide and review on N26
- Alpian: Offers personalized banking services with modern and innovative solutions. Guide and review on Alpian
Traditional banks
- UBS: one of Switzerland’s largest banks, offering a full range of banking services for private and corporate clients.
- Credit Suisse: offers diversified banking and financial services, including wealth management and investment services.
- Banque Cantonale Vaudoise (BCV ): a regional bank offering personalized banking services and financing solutions tailored to local needs.
- Raiffeisen: known for its community approach and banking services accessible to all.
- PostFinance: An accessible bank with a wide range of banking services for individuals and businesses.
Can a non-resident open a bank account in Switzerland?
Yes, it is entirely possible for a non-resident to open a bank account in Switzerland. Depending on the bank, non-residents must provide detailed information about the origin of funds and the purpose of the account. Swiss banks offer specific services that facilitate account opening for expatriates and cross-border workers.
What are the advantages of Swiss banks?
Swiss banks are renowned for several reasons:
- Security of funds: Deposits are protected up to CHF 100,000 in the event of bank failure.
- Ease of use in Switzerland 🇨🇭: Swiss banks offer solutions such as eBill payments, QR invoices, and fast domestic transfers, making it easy to manage day-to-day spending.
- Mobile payment: Compatible with Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, etc., for fast, secure payments.
- Cash withdrawals: Many banks offer free cash withdrawals in Switzerland, and some even offer free cash withdrawals abroad.
- Multi-currency accounts: Ideal for those who travel frequently or have international financial needs.
- TWINT: Most Swiss banks allow you to use TWINT, a mobile payment application that is very popular in Switzerland.
What are the usual bank charges in Switzerland?
Banking fees in Switzerland can vary considerably, depending on the bank and the type of account. Here are some typical fees:
- Account management fee: Between CHF 5 and CHF 20 per month, depending on bank and account type.
- ATM withdrawal charges: Free at bank ATMs, up to CHF 5 at other ATMs.
- International transaction fees: Vary between 1% and 2% of the transaction amount.
- Credit card fees: Approximately CHF 50 to CHF 100 per year.
Today, neo-banks offer the best solution in terms of banking fees. They often propose accounts without monthly management fees and reduced fees on international transactions, which makes them particularly attractive for residents and non-residents looking to minimize costs.
Directory of banks to open an account in Switzerland
| Bank | Bank type | Rates | Account opening time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zak | neo-bank | advantageous | very fast |
| Yuh | neo-bank | advantageous | very fast |
| CSX | neo-bank | advantageous | very fast |
| NEON | neo-bank | advantageous | very fast |
| Revolut | neo-bank | advantageous | very fast |
| Radicant | neo-bank | normal | normal |
| WISE | neo-bank | advantageous | very fast |
| N26 | neo-bank | advantageous | very fast |
| Alpian | neo-bank | normal | normal |
| UBS | classic | normal | normal |
| Credit Suisse | classic | normal | normal |
| Banque Cantonale Vaudoise (BCV) | classic | normal | normal |
| Raiffeisen | classic | normal | normal |
| PostFinance | classic | normal | normal |
Documents required to open a bank account in Switzerland
To open a bank account in Switzerland, you need to provide a specific set of documents, which vary depending on whether you are a resident or non-resident.
Residents
- Identification: Passport or identity card.
- Proof of address: Electricity, gas or telephone bill, rent receipt, or proof of address.
- Proof of income: recent pay slips, employment contract or tax notice.
- Residence permit: For foreign residents living in Switzerland.
Non-residents
- Identification: Valid passport.
- Proof of address: Document proving your current address abroad.
- Proof of origin of funds: Tax returns, account statements, documents of recent financial transactions.
- Reason for opening account: Letter explaining the reason for opening the account (e.g. for day-to-day needs).
What banks are there for cross-border workers in Switzerland?
Cross-border workers have specific needs, and several Swiss banks offer tailored solutions. It is particularly important for them to have a CH IBAN for their Swiss salary payments. Here are a few options:
- Cantonal banks: offer accounts in CHF and EUR, facilitating cross-border transactions.
- UBS and Crédit Suisse: offer multi-currency accounts and advantageous foreign exchange services.
- Neo-banks like Yuh and Zak: offer low fees on international transactions and competitive foreign exchange services.
For a detailed analysis of the best banking options for cross-border workers, please see our article dedicated to Banking for Swiss cross-border commuters: the winning formula in 2024.
How do I open a Swiss bank account online?
The online process is often faster and requires less physical documentation:
- Go to the page of the bank of your choice :
2. Download and install the application.
3. Registration and identity verification are done directly from the application. Use our promo codes when you sign up to receive money in your future account.
4. Wait for your account to be validated by the bank.
The easy way to open a bank account in Switzerland
Some neo-banks offer accounts with no management fees at unbeatable rates, or free of charge altogether. Here are just a few examples:
- NEON offers a free current account with no monthly management fees.
- Zak also offers a fee-free account with free basic banking services. (Note: Zak is not available for non-Swiss residents.)
- Yuh offers accounts with no management fees and modern features.
- CSX offers multi-currency accounts with no monthly management fees.
- Radicant offers a free service with a focus on ecology.
Each bank has its specificities. We recommend you consult the Swiss bank tests conducted by heyneo.ch which are among the most comprehensive in the market.
Conclusion: open a bank account in Switzerland
Opening a bank account in Switzerland offers many advantages, whether you’re a resident, non-resident or cross-border worker. By understanding the documents required, the options available and the associated fees, you can make an informed choice that meets your financial needs. For a detailed comparison of the criteria of each bank in Switzerland, you can consult our Swiss Bank Comparison Chart to find the one that best suits your expectations and situation.
