Rumbo Suiza
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Guide 6 of 11

Bank account & finances

You'll need it to get paid, pay rent, and set up insurance payments — the sooner you open it, the better.

Main options

  • Cantonal banks (ZKB in Zurich, BCV in Vaud, BCGE in Geneva...) — solid, with physical branches, a good "default" choice.
  • UBS and PostFinance — present across the whole country, easy to find in any city.
  • Raiffeisen — a cooperative structure, widespread even in smaller towns.
  • Digital banks (Neon, Yuh, Zak): 100% online setup in minutes, no maintenance fees, ideal for the first few months while you sort out everything else — in fact, many newcomers open a digital account first and later add a traditional bank if they want one.

What documents they ask for

  • Valid passport or ID
  • Proof of a Swiss address (lease agreement or municipal registration confirmation)
  • Work contract (some traditional banks require it before opening an account; digital banks tend to be more flexible)
  • A Swiss phone number (for SMS verification with most digital banks)

Tip

If your residence permit isn't processed yet, a digital bank (Neon or Yuh) will often accept you with just your lease agreement and passport, while traditional banks sometimes require the permit to already be issued. You can move to a traditional bank later, no rush.

Fees to watch out for

Traditional Swiss banks usually charge a small monthly maintenance fee unless you meet certain conditions (age, minimum balance, student package). Digital banks tend to be free for basic use, charging only for extras (premium physical cards, foreign withdrawals above a certain limit, etc.).