Opening a bank account

For wages, rent and bills you need an account. Here you see how you open one.

In Switzerland almost everything goes through an account. Your wage goes into the account. You pay rent and health insurance from the account.

Where?

You can go to any bank. The bank decides if it gives you an account.

PostFinance has a legal mandate (basic service, Grundversorgung). In general it must offer people living in Switzerland an account for payments. With it you can deposit, withdraw and transfer money.

You need this

The bank checks who you are. Bring a valid ID: passport or ID card. Ask beforehand which other documents the bank wants, for example the foreign national permit (Ausländerausweis).

At PostFinance you can open the account online. Or at a branch of the Post. You must live in Switzerland.

Fees

An account can cost something, for example per month. Ask about the fees for account, card and cash. Compare several banks.

What you can do now

  1. Go to the Post or to a bank. Bring your passport or ID card.
  2. Ask about the fees and about a card.
  3. Give your account number (IBAN) to your employer.
  4. Unsure? Ask FABIA or the Amt für Migration. This app is not legal advice.

BAKOM, Grundversorgung beim Zahlungsverkehr (PostFinance) (2026-09-21)

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