Banking and account opening
Banks and money services for newcomers, from opening a Swiss franc current account to sending money across borders while you wait for your salary.
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Zurich
Switzerland's largest bank, with a dedicated expat section that covers account types, debit and credit cards, and a free practical guide for newcomers. Its key4 banking packages bundle a current account, savings account and card in one. The app and e-banking work in English, and branches are present in most Swiss cities and towns.
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Fintech platform offering Swiss IBAN via PostFinance partnership and multi-currency accounts
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Switzerland
An international money transfer and multi-currency account service that lets you hold CHF alongside EUR, USD and dozens of other currencies, send money abroad at the mid-market rate, and receive salaries or wire transfers into local account details in multiple countries. Not a Swiss bank and doesn't provide a Swiss IBAN, but useful in the gap between arrival and opening a cantonal or retail bank account.
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Bern
The banking arm of Swiss Post, PostFinance provides current accounts, savings, debit and credit cards, and SEPA transfers. Its website is available in English, account opening is online and the monthly fee is low. It is widely used by people early in their Swiss life because its post office counters are easy to find for cash withdrawals and deposits.
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Geneva-based private bank established 1805, managing USD 926 billion in wealth and assets
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Zurich-based private bank since 1890 managing CHF 521 billion in assets and wealth advisory
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Geneva-based private bank since 1796 managing CHF 224 billion and welcoming international clients
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German mobile-first bank with free EUR account and Mastercard, minimal requirements
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Switzerland
A cooperative banking group with roughly 800 branches across Switzerland, making it one of the most geographically accessible options for newcomers outside Zurich and Geneva. Accounts include a private current account, savings, debit card, eBanking and TWINT. Opening is available online or in person at a local branch, and requires a Swiss tax residency and a Swiss mobile number.
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Zurich
The largest cantonal bank in Switzerland and the leading bank in the canton of Zurich, with solid English support, branches throughout the canton and account opening available for residents shortly after commune registration. Non-residents pay a quarterly surcharge of CHF 90.
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Gland
Switzerland's leading online bank and brokerage, regulated by FINMA, with a dedicated expat section covering multi-currency accounts in over 27 currencies and an investment platform for global equities, ETFs and crypto. Account opening is fully online and available to non-residents, with a minimum deposit of around CHF 1,000 and video identification. Popular with expats who want banking and investing in one place.
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Zurich-based private bank founded 1924, managing CHF 229 billion for wealth and investment
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Switzerland (nationwide, headquartered in Zurich) · since 1958
Migros Bank offers Swiss newcomers a free private account with optional Visa cards and nationwide branch access.
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One of Switzerland's oldest cantonal banks founded 1834, serving over 500,000 clients today
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Global private banking group managing CHF 159 billion with English-language service and international expertise
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Basel-based private bank since 1841 managing CHF 224.2 billion in investment and wealth services
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Geneva partnership private bank since 1819, specializing in wealth management and brokerage
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Geneva
Geneva's cantonal bank, established in 1816 and majority-owned by the Canton of Geneva, with a dedicated expat banking section, 21 branches in Geneva and English-language online banking. The XpatBanking offer is designed for international clients relocating to the city.
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Ticino's state bank established 1915 with online account opening in 20 minutes via video identification
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Basel-based bank serving residents and cross-border commuters since 1927
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Valais-based bank founded in 1917 with 22 branches across the canton and wealth management services
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Vaud's largest cantonal bank with rapid online account opening completed in under 10 minutes
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Established cantonal bank in Basel serving individuals and SMEs since 1899
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Fast multi-currency account setup with individual IBANs, no residency requirements
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Lucerne's leading bank since 1850, offers free account opening and English support
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Zurich
A Swiss neobank that provides a free CHF current account with a personal Swiss IBAN, backed by Hypothekarbank Lenzburg and covered by the Swiss deposit guarantee. No base fees apply, international transfers integrate directly with Wise inside the app, and the account opens in minutes by smartphone. Requires a Swiss domicile and a B or C permit for non-Swiss nationals.
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Aargau cantonal bank with 230,000 clients, free account management and digital banking
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Cantonal bank established in 1892, one of Switzerland's ten largest with services across Fribourg
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Neuchâtel's cantonal bank providing transaction accounts, savings products, and pension services to residents
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Basel-Landschaft cantonal bank with 10-minute digital account opening and branch support
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Universal bank established in 1883 with branch and mobile banking services throughout Schaffhausen canton
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Regional bank established in 1890, serving Schwyz residents and businesses with full-service banking
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Founded in 1871, Thurgau's leading universal bank for retail and business banking needs
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Zurich
A Swiss neobank jointly owned by Swissquote and PostFinance, offering a free everyday account with a CH IBAN alongside a micro-investment feature that rounds up purchases and invests the change in ETFs or a savings plan. It is available to residents of Switzerland, Austria and Liechtenstein and accepts both Swiss nationals and permit holders. The app is available in English.
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Online account opening with biometric passport verification and free account management for Zug residents
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Geneva · since 2022
Alpian's FINMA-licensed digital bank lets newcomers open multi-currency accounts fully online with no monthly fees.
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Switzerland
Switzerland's largest independent financial comparison platform, covering account fees, card costs and transfer charges across all major Swiss banks. Particularly useful for comparing the true cost of an account over the first year, including foreign transaction fees.
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Appenzell Innerrhoden's cantonal bank with online account setup and e-banking for newcomers
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Universal bank serving Jura canton since 1979 with accounts for both individuals and businesses
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Switzerland
A Swiss comparison portal that includes bank accounts, credit cards and savings products, with filters for English-language banking, no monthly fee and online account opening. Useful for checking the current market before committing to a specific bank.
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Switzerland
A Switzerland-focused expat advice site with an in-depth banking guide covering the main options for newcomers, the account opening sequence tied to commune registration, and an honest comparison of traditional banks versus digital alternatives.
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Uri's cantonal bank since 1915 offering retail banking, investments, and pension account services
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Free neobank by Bank Cler offering Swiss account setup in 10 minutes with no fees
Frequently asked questions
What are my options for managing multiple currencies?
You can use international fintech services to hold CHF alongside EUR, USD, and dozens of other currencies. Some Swiss online banks also provide multi-currency accounts covering over 27 different currencies.
How can I send money abroad while I'm setting up my local finances?
International money transfer services allow you to send money abroad at the mid-market rate. You can also use certain fintech platforms that offer multi-currency accounts for receiving salaries.
Are there banks that are easy to access if I live outside of Zurich or Geneva?
Raiffeisen is a cooperative banking group with roughly 800 branches throughout Switzerland, making it a highly accessible option. Zürcher Kantonalbank is also a strong choice if you are located specifically within the canton of Zurich.
Can I open a bank account online?
Yes, several providers like PostFinance allow you to open accounts online. Some mobile-first banks also offer minimal requirements for getting started.
I'm looking for wealth management rather than just a standard current account. What are my choices?
You can look into private banks like Pictet, Julius Baer, Lombard Odier, or EFG International. These institutions specialize in managing significant wealth and assets for international clients.