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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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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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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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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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
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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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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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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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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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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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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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.