Non-Resident Banking
Swiss bank account for non-residents.
GwG-compliant. 2–8 weeks KYC.
Non-residents can open Swiss bank accounts — but not at every bank, and not without enhanced due diligence. The most reliable route is to incorporate a Swiss AG or GmbH first: a Swiss company opens a corporate account far more easily than a foreign individual opens a personal one. Goldblum & Partner AG, Baarerstrasse 25, Zug, coordinates both company formation and bank introduction as a single process.
140+
Eligible Swiss banks
2–8 wks
KYC review timeline
CHF 0
Min. balance (varies)
GwG
AMLA compliant
Non-Resident Banking
Swiss bank account for non-residents —
key facts and KYC requirements
Non-resident account — specifications
GwG Art. 3 mandates identity verification for all account holders regardless of residency. BankG Art. 47 governs banking secrecy. FINMA Circular 2011/1 sets enhanced due diligence standards for higher-risk clients, including many non-resident profiles.
Non-residents must provide: certified/notarised passport copy, certified proof of home-country address (utility bill, bank statement), source of funds/wealth declaration, and a statement of business purpose or reason for opening a Swiss account.
Non-EU/EEA residents, politically exposed persons (PEPs), and clients with high-risk source-of-funds profiles trigger enhanced due diligence under GwG Art. 6. Banks may request additional documentation: business plans, corporate structure charts, contracts, or tax returns.
Switzerland participates in the OECD Common Reporting Standard (CRS). Account data (balance, income, asset sales) for clients tax-resident in a CRS partner country is reported annually to the Swiss Federal Tax Administration (ESTV), which forwards data to the client's home country tax authority.
US citizens, Green Card holders, and US tax residents face FATCA reporting directly to the IRS. Most Swiss retail banks have declined to open new personal accounts for US persons due to compliance costs. Private banks and select specialist institutions may still accept US-person accounts under FATCA.
A non-resident who has incorporated a Swiss AG or GmbH can open a corporate business account in the company's name. Corporate accounts are subject to CDB 20 KYC (Forms A and K for beneficial owners), but are generally more accessible than personal non-resident accounts — especially when the company has Swiss substance (registered address, local director).
Tier-1 private banks (Julius Baer, Pictet, Lombard Odier) accept non-resident clients with qualifying asset levels, typically CHF 500k–1M+ minimum. Full KYC and AEOI apply, but the private banking relationship provides a more structured account-opening pathway than retail channels.
Non-resident account applications typically take 2–8 weeks depending on the bank, client risk profile, and completeness of documentation. Complex beneficial-ownership structures or high-risk jurisdictions of residence extend the review. Goldblum & Partner AG assists with documentation preparation to minimise delays.
Corporate account (Swiss-incorporated company)
The most accessible pathway for non-residents. After incorporating a Swiss AG or GmbH, the company opens a standard business account. The shareholder/beneficial owner undergoes enhanced KYC as an individual, but the account relationship is corporate — improving acceptance rates significantly compared to a personal non-resident account.
Personal current / savings account
Available at select Swiss banks. PostFinance, certain cantonal banks, and private banks accept non-resident personal accounts, subject to enhanced due diligence. Neo-banks (Neon, Yapeal) generally require a Swiss address and are not accessible to pure non-residents. EMIs (e.g., Wise, Revolut) are a practical alternative but do not constitute Swiss bank accounts under BankG.
Private banking relationship (HNW)
Non-resident UHNW and HNW individuals can open private banking relationships at Julius Baer, Pictet, Lombard Odier, J. Safra Sarasin, and others, subject to minimum asset thresholds (typically CHF 500k to CHF 1M+). These relationships include full discretionary or advisory investment management in addition to banking.
Capital deposit account (Kapitaleinlagekonto)
Required at company formation under OR Art. 629 (AG) / OR Art. 777c (GmbH). The founding capital (CHF 100,000 for AG; CHF 20,000 for GmbH) must be deposited in a Swiss bank capital subscription account before Commercial Register registration. Goldblum & Partner AG coordinates this as part of the standard formation process.
Why forming a Swiss company simplifies banking for non-residents
A non-resident attempting to open a personal Swiss bank account faces significant enhanced due diligence scrutiny. Many Swiss retail banks will decline the application outright. However, a non-resident who has incorporated a Swiss AG or GmbH — with a registered Zug address and a Swiss-resident director — can open a corporate business account in the company's name. The company is a Swiss legal entity; the account relationship is corporate, not personal. This materially improves acceptance rates and reduces the KYC burden relative to a pure non-resident personal account application.
Key Data
Non-Resident Swiss Bank Accounts
What to expect when opening as a foreign national or company
3–8 wks
Typical opening timeline
Enhanced KYC/AML due diligence for non-residents adds processing time.
Required
Identity & source of funds
AMLA-compliant documentation: passport, UBO declaration, business documents.
CRS
Automatic information exchange
Switzerland participates in OECD Common Reporting Standard since 2017.
CHF 200K+
Typical min. deposit (private banking)
Retail and digital banks may accept lower or zero opening deposits.
Bank Comparison
Which Swiss banks accept non-residents?
an overview by account type
Bank
Category
Non-resident access
Key notes
Can Americans open a Swiss bank account?
The FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act) framework requires Swiss financial institutions to report US-person accounts directly to the IRS. Most Swiss retail banks have closed new account applications for US citizens and Green Card holders as a result of compliance costs. Private banks — particularly those with dedicated US-person compliance infrastructure — remain the most accessible channel, subject to applicable minimum asset thresholds. US-owned Swiss companies (AG or GmbH) with corporate accounts face FATCA reporting obligations on the company account where US persons are beneficial owners. Goldblum & Partner AG can advise on structuring and bank introductions for US-connected clients.
FAQ
Frequently asked
questions
Precise answers to the most common questions about forming a company in Switzerland. For specific advice on your structure, book a free consultation.
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Baarerstrasse 25 · 6300 Zug · Switzerland · Est. 2007