Why a Swiss account
Salary in Switzerland is paid into a Swiss bank or postal account. Without a local account, you cannot in practice receive your salary or pay rent.
Documents required
For any resident:
- Passport or ID card
- Permit B/L/C or registration certificate
- Proof of address (lease, commune certificate)
- Employment contract or income statement
- Proof of source of funds (depending on amount)
For non-residents (cross-border workers, students awaiting permit):
- Same plus sometimes deposit or guarantee
Most newcomer-friendly banks
- PostFinance: easiest for newcomers, reasonable fees, in every commune
- Raiffeisen: regional cooperative, fair conditions for residents
- UBS, Credit Suisse (UBS Group): large networks but stricter conditions
- Cantonal banks: BCV (VD), BCG (GE), ZKB (ZH) — good for residents
Fees to compare
- Monthly account fee: CHF 0–15
- Maestro/Mastercard fees: CHF 0–50/year
- Withdrawals at other banks' ATMs: CHF 0–2 per operation
- International transfers: CHF 0–50 depending on currency and amount
Neobanks
- Neon: free account, Mastercard, free withdrawals worldwide
- Yuh (Swissquote + PostFinance): free, savings/investing features, multi-currency
- Revolut: multi-currency, Swiss IBAN since 2024, free basic plan
- Zak (Bank Cler): 100% mobile, free
Neobanks often allow account opening before arriving in Switzerland with a confirmed address.
Lead time and costs
- Branch opening: 30–60 minutes, card in 7–10 days, initial fees CHF 0–50
- Online opening (Neon, Yuh, Revolut): 10–20 minutes via app, card in 5–7 days, free
Tips
- Compare neobanks first for everyday operations (free)
- Keep a traditional account if you might want mortgages or credit later
- Cross-border workers: some employers require a specific Swiss bank; ask before signing
