Can I open a bank account in Switzerland if I do not live in Switzerland?

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  • Benutzernamemrniceguy
  • Status Member
  • Registriert seit1/24/17
  • Beiträge14

I do not live in Switzerland but would like to open a Swiss bank account in Swiss francs to protect my wealth from inflation (my country of residence has runaway inflation rates). Obviously I will legally export my wealth and pay taxes in my country of residence, but for ease of international transactions and inflation-protection, a Swiss bank account would be ideal. I know opening an account in Switzerland is not as easy as it once way, but is it still possible for non-residents to open Swiss bank accounts. Does anyone have experience with this?

 
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  • BenutzernameMoneyguru von moneyland.ch
  • OrtSchweiz
  • Status Expert
  • Registriert seit8/4/15
  • Beiträge4079

Assuming you are not a Swiss citizen, opening an account in Switzerland is now difficult at best and impossible at worst. Your nationality, country of residence and the amount you want to deposit all play a role in determining the level of difficulty. Although Swiss law does not place any restrictions on non-resident foreigners opening bank accounts, the laws of your country of citizenship or residence may prohibit you from doing so. You can find more information in this guide to opening Swiss bank accounts.

In every case, you should pay attention to non-resident fees (most Swiss banks charge these). You can find more information in the guide to non-resident fees charged by Swiss banks.

 
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  • BenutzernameDaniel Dreier
  • OrtZürich
  • Status Member
  • Registriert seit11/30/22
  • Beiträge45

Some Swiss neobanks now accept customers who are residents of neighboring countries. Some only accept cross-border workers who work in Switzerland. Others accept other customers as well. You can find an overview in the guide to Swiss bank fees for non-residents.

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Cheap bank accounts with card

Online private account

UBS key4

  • 50 KeyClub points as a welcome gift

  • Online private account with debit card

Swiss digital bank

Radicant

  • High interest on your everyday account

  • Best exchange rates

  • Up to 1% of card spending as saveback in the investment portfolio

Swiss Bank

Bank WIR Bankpaket Top

  • Free account & card

  • No exchange fees for foreign payments (interbank exchange rates)

  • 24 ATM withdrawals worldwide per year free of charge

Swiss digital bank

Alpian

  • CHF 100 welcome bonus

  • Favorable foreign exchange rates

  • Multi-currency account with Visa card (CHF, EUR, USD, GBP) 

Free bank account

Yuh

  • No account fees

  • Banking partner: Swissquote & Postfinance

  • CHF 20 trading credit with code «YUHMONEYLAND»

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50 KeyClub points as a welcome gift