Hello Swiss forumites,
I am currently working in a short term post in Switzerland for no longer than 90 days and therefore do not have a residence permit (I'm in EU citizen) - I'm using the short stay notification.
Frustratingly, I still require a bank account for my salary to be paid into for the 3 months in which I am here.
The question is, which account would I be eligible for and would be best suited for my needs? I don't want to pay too much in account/management fees. I will simply be using the account to pay in a salary and then eventually, withdraw the money to a UK account. (I may even keep the account open as I may be posted again to CH at a later date but this will depend upon aforementioned account fees).
Also, are the opening of bank accounts fairly instantaneous once an application is made?
Many thanks, happy to clarify as necessary.
Just open a Post Finance account, about the cheapest and easiest.
BUT, I think they will all ask to see your Permit, so you may need a letter from your employer, in lieu of the Permit.
Why can't you use your UK bank account to receive your Swiss salary?
Bank charges & currency transaction costs in both directions as the OP will require money in CHF in CH.
He could ask the company to pay in cash or a Swiss cheque that can be cashed at the bank. (Yes cheques do exist )
Thanks for your replies. Yes, I suppose an alternative way of payment would be ideal but the company I am working for state that there is really no alternative and refuse to pay into my UK account.
Post finance sounded like a good idea but I worry about being seen as non domiciled and therefore need to pay an extra 25CHF a month on their account.
I am currently living in a short term rental apartment but not sure that would really qualify.
Do you have a written work contract? If so use that to get a permit and open a bank account. I don't see many alternatives if they won't pay into your UK account.
The temp accomodarion doesn't matter either, if there is a mailbox stick a temporary name tag on it with a piece of paper an cellotape so you can receive mail. Failing that a C/O address might be enough if you explain to the bank in person.
Your employer has a duty of care to you so they should help you with these basic admin stuff, it's very overwhelming if you are new to the country.
Really? do you have a link.
Can’t. Workers being sent here from other EU countries for less than 90 days a year have to use the short term registration system. They aren’t eligible for a permit.
https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home…verfahren.html
Point taken.
The gentleman should be able to open a bank account nevertheless to be able to receive his salary payments.
Op I would speak to the bank first and get what you need after that to open the bank account.
Yes, I can’t think this is an unique situation, companies send workers here short term all the time. Talk to PostFinance and maybe UBS too and see what they have to say. Also check with your work colleagues to see if they’re in the same situation and what they did about it.
Why your company can’t pay your salary into your UK account I don’t know, should be easy enough if you give them the account details. After all, cross border commuters who have a G permit get their salaries paid into their “foreign” accounts.
Thanks all - I'll take up the matter with HR once more, just in the vain hope.
Certainly in my company, it appears I am the only one who is staying less than 90 days.
I'll update the thread on Monday when I speak to HR/Postfinance/UBS
Where does it mention about helping to open a bank account?
I never said it does
Go pick a fight some other thread, I'm only genuinely trying to help the OP with his query
So it seems that UBS was not interested without any kind of residence permit (I tried the really big central Bank in Bern too).
Went for PostFinance eventually. My options were limited to the Basic account, +25CHF/Month non-domicillary fee.
It was either this or try to apply for their residence Permit (which is not necessary otherwise).
I bit the bullet and went for the PostFinance account as I risk not being paid at all otherwise (Doubly confirmed HR not interested in depositing salary to a UK account).
I asked for a closure form at the same time and plan to get rid of the account as soon as the 3 months are up. 75CHF to receive a salary sounds a lot but I'm not taking it too badly given the relative higher salary I am receiving compared to the UK.
Maybe I'm just unlucky as I understand the 25CHF/month fee is a recent introduction and I was told that regulations have really tightened in an attempt to prevent tax fraudsters.
I think CHF25.- for the post finance account is not that bad. Welcome to Switzerland!
When you get to the point of wanting to transfer the CHF out to a UK account there are various alternatives that might save you some money too instead of just letting the UK bank or post finance do the comversion for you.
There is my preferred option of just transfering the money to Revolut (we have a whole thread dedicated to this), you can also use Transferwise or Currencyfair. I haven't used neither of the last two options but ask again when you want to take the money out.
Thanks for the tip! I'm currently using Revolut as my daily spending card so will have to look into the capabilities of transferring money back out as well - something I was not previously aware of.
I am also aware of transferwise but it seems that Revolut is touting a lower fees model. I'll obviously scrutinise this closer to the time.