Swiss bank account while living abroad

Finance, Taxes, Banking, Insurance and Retirement
1
I now live in Germany and would like to open a Euro bank account with a Swiss bank. Does anyone have any recommendation as to which bank offers better service and value for money?

2

It's very expensive for non residents, even if you are Swiss....

Maybe think about Revolut or Wise, all depends on your reasons for needing a Euro account outside Germany really....

3
I want to have an account with a bank in Switzerland

4
?!?

5

25-30 CHF a month. Maybe a bit higher for EUR account.

@OP: not endorsing the info here. But, you may use it as a checklist to find the right bank for you.

https://www.moneyland.ch/en/swiss-bank-fees-abroad

6
So they already know that you have left the country?

7
Well I have deregistered as a resident.

8

Expect to pay Chf 25-30 per month then

9
At the time when we did it, UBS allowed it and charged 20/30 CHF a month (cannot remember exact figures) BUT would waive it if one had enough on the account (think 250K). Sorry its fuzzy as it was a couple of years back.

10
I have been looking into this as I will be in the same situation. I evaluated the major banks (+ PostFinance) and the monthly fees are rather a lot to justify maintaining one. Plus, my dear bank of nearly 12 years was quite insistent that I must close the account when I deregister. I would assume though that accounts with a few millions might have a different reception.

11
That is not the same thing... You need to read the T&C for your accounts, if you are in breach and the discover it they may decide to freeze your accounts.

12
My UBS account was closed after I deregistered. I am now looking into opening a new non-resident account.

13

Sorry this may seem a bit blunt.

They don't want you ! The bank needs to due due diligence on provenance of funds and you (no US connection) this costs money. Unless you got a LOT of money you are just not worth the bother to them and in order to dissuade you they charge a fortune for account keeping, each account that is.

If you got piles of money then the equation is different, but think high 7 figures as a starting point.

I have no idea why you want a Swiss account, they are not really any more secure than other banks, if it is for avoiding taxes, look at Revolut possibly.

You could try SwissQuote bank, maybe they a tiny bit more open to non-resident accounts

14
Well you might get lucky, but generally you need about $5m - $7m to put under management not just deposit with them, although I have heard a few of the small private banks might accept $3m.

Having nonresident clients is expensive so they need to have an opportunity to make significant fees from, hence the AUM requirement. Having a business interest or being a Swiss expat might work although I have heard that is also getting more difficult.

15

As a Swiss national residing abroad you can get an account easily but fees are still crazy high, Chf 25-40 per month

16

There are some difficulties facing Swiss citizens who live abroad and need or want a bank account in Switzerland. Some banks permit this, with high fees, others do not at all. On 13 December 2023 , there’s a webinar to explain the situation and to offer possible solutions.
On 13 December 2023, the Consular Directorate of the FDFA, [Federal Department of Foreign Affiars] the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA) and the Soliswiss Cooperative will hold a webinar on banking issues for Swiss nationals living abroad.

Since 2008, it has become increasingly difficult for Swiss Abroad to gain access to Swiss banking services and to maintain these banking relationships on terms comparable to those offered to Swiss residents. Furthermore, banks often terminate client relationships at short notice. What are the reasons for this? What options exist for Swiss Abroad with regard to bank accounts and other banking services? What should you pay special attention to? When does it make sense to open or retain a Swiss account? The webinar will explain to Swiss nationals who are planning to emigrate or have already emigrated the difficulties in maintaining banking relationships with Swiss banks and the background to this. But it is primarily aimed at offering practical solutions to these difficulties.

In addition to contributions from the Consular Directorate, Soliswiss and OSA [Organisation of the Swiss Abroad], the BCGE [Cantonal Bank of Geneva] and the ZKB [Cantonal Bank of Zurich] will provide important background information and practical specialist input, suggest possible courses of action and answer your questions.

As always, the webinar is free of charge and will be recorded.
https://www.swisscommunity.org/en/of…r-swiss-abroad

17
Absolutely, Swissquote opens to everyone outside Switzerland, and fees are manageable (5 CHF per month). Every account has three currencies: CHF, USD and EUR. So this could be your ideal solution.

In addition, you can also buy stocks, treasuries and crypto with Swissquote.

Just one downside: DD/KYC process takes longer when you are not in CH (like a month).