Our experienced team of corporate lawyers can assist you in the process of opening a bank account in Switzerland.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Types of bank accounts |
Personal accounts Corporate accounts Savings accounts |
|
Document requirements for natural persons |
– passport/ID, proof of residency (for residents), application form, other papers depending on the bank |
|
Documents requirements for companies |
– copies of ID/passports of shareholders, company documents, ID of a company representative, application for, other documents as requested by the bank |
| Swiss address requirements for non-residents (YES/NO) |
NO |
| Requirements to travel to Switzerland (YES/NO) | NO |
| Multiple currency options availability (YES/NO) |
Yes: CHF, EUR, USD |
| Remote/online bank opening possibility (YES/NO) |
YES |
| Timeframe for opening the account (approx.) | 7 to 30 days |
| Legal representative requirement (YES/NO) | Not mandatory, but advisable |
| Services attached to accounts | – online access, debit/credit card, multiple payment options, currency exchange, international money transfers |
| Banking legislation | Federal Law on Banks and Saving Banks |
|
Types of banks to open accounts with |
National and international banks operating through Swiss branches |
|
Minimum balance requirement (YES/NO) |
Yes, most Swiss banks require for the beneficiary to hold a minimum amount of money in their accounts. |
| Availability of canton-specific regulations (YES/NO) | No, the banking legislation applies uniformly across the country. |
| Merchant bank account availability (YES/NO) |
Yes, merchant accounts are available for e-commerce businesses. |
| Foreign currency availability (YES/NO) |
Yes, bank accounts can also be opened in USD, GBP, and EUR. |
| Access to online banking services (YES/NO) |
Yes, online banking services are usually part of the standard package of many Swiss banks. |
| Advantages of a Swiss bank account |
– access to the most advanced banking system in the world; – enhanced protection of bank account beneficiaries; – possibility to use a bank account as an estate planning tool. |
| Bank account opening service availability (YES/NO) |
Yes, our lawyers can help you open a bank account in Switzerland. |
| Availability of bank account opening services in specific cantons (YES/NO) | Yes, our Swiss law firm offers its services in various cantons. |
Table of Contents
Who can open a bank account in Switzerland?
The Swiss bank account opening procedure is available for natural persons and companies, regardless of their nationalities.
What are the types of bank accounts I can open in Switzerland?
Clients who want to open a bank account in Switzerland in 2026 can choose from the following types of accounts:
- Personal account: Standard personal accounts are used for salary deposits, payments, and security transactions.
- Investment account.
- Savings accounts: these are used for saving money and gaining interest.
- Corporate account: this type of account is linked to a Swiss company.
Do I need to travel to Switzerland to open a bank account for personal use?
No, you are not required to do so. However, Swiss banks usually require that the documents are sent in a paper format, so you may need to make arrangements to send them via courier or post. The other option is to appoint one of our Swiss lawyers to represent you, and we can submit the documents on your behalf based on a power of attorney.
What are the documents required to open a personal bank account in Switzerland?
Here they are:
- notarized copies after the passport;
- proof of the money to be deposited in the Swiss bank account, such as company documents, a contract after selling a property, or a business, or any other financial document that could prove the source of the money according to the anti-money-laundering provisions;
- a recent utility bill as proof of residency;
- contact information.
You can read about the opening of a Swiss bank account in the infographic below:
Are there specific requirements that I need to comply with if I want to open a bank account in Switzerland as a foreigner?
Banks usually perform thorough due diligence checks and will ask for proof of the funds or source of income. You can submit a copy of your labor contract, if you are employed, or documents attesting to your income from business, or sale of a property, even if it is not located in Switzerland.
Can I set up an account in a currency other than the CHF?
Yes, you can open bank accounts in various types of currencies, including USD, EUR, and GBP.
Do Swiss banks impose a minimum deposit at the opening of a bank account?
It depends on the bank and the type of account. In most cases, a minimum deposit may be required, especially for savings and multi-currency accounts.
How do I choose the bank to work with in Switzerland?
You can use the following tips:
- check the duration of the account opening procedure;
- check the fees that are attached to the type of account you want to open;
- verify the services available with the chosen bank.
How long does it take to open a personal bank account in Switzerland in 2026?
You can have the account opened in about 5 working days.
What are the documents required to open a corporate bank account in Switzerland?
The documents that need to be filed in order to open a corporate bank account in this country are:
- the details of all shareholders in the company in the form of copies of valid passports or IDs;
- business incorporation information and contact persons are also required;
- information about activities of the company can also be requested by the bank;
- information about the type of account, services and intentions of using it.
You can also watch our video below:
How long does it take to set up a corporate account in Switzerland?
In this case, the procedure takes longer, about 4 weeks, due to the Anti-Money Laundering and Know-Your-Client checks to be performed.
If you need assistance for opening a company and a corporate bank account in another country, for example in Ireland, you can get in touch with our partners – IrelandCompanyFormation.com.
You can obtain more information on the Swiss bank account opening procedure from our lawyers. In case you need legal services in another country, for example, legal consultancy in Romania, we recommend – RoLegal.com.
If you want to open a company in Switzerland in 2026 and need a bank account you can contact our Swiss lawyers for information. They will give you all the information related to Swiss bank account opening and they will handle the entire procedure.