That could happen in Zurich. On a recent trip I used my Revolut card in Dar Es Saalam, Zanzibar and the Seychelles with zero issues.
I even found some places that took Apple Pay.
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Happens a lot in the US. Even in upmarket restaurants.
Mobile payments (Apple Pay / Google Pay) are way safer indeed.
So, back to the topicā¦
Among these banks: Best Online Banks in Switzerland (February 2026) is there any that can be used without installing any mobile app, but just through a web portal? (for example, Wise is like this)
I suspect the answer is that all allow you to access via an app or through a web-page. You might be caught if the bank requires two-factor confirmation on log-in via the app. Iām not aware of any that do not have an app.
Neobanks by default are mobile first. What might fit your requirement for web portal access is swissquote.ch. They offer a virtual debit card + a complete banking package with many features, including a multi-currency account and crypto payments.
https://thepoorswiss.com/swissquote-debit-mastercard-review/
edit: turns out web portal login requires mobile authentication
Wow, I have to go there on holidays! With the tax in Germany it makes me wonder why not all shops do that thereā¦
Now for cash: for EUR I have a free DKB account. I send 750 Euros there every month, so it stays free. CHF cash is included in my banking package. Dollars are a bit more difficult, there I try to use only my wise card. For Dollar cash I own a free American Express Gold card (reads āmember since 1990ā) with which you can cash a check in any travel office. But did not use it in a long time and I suppose such a card is very expensive now. No idea why I get it for free, did use it quite a lot when I was younger, did not use it for years now.
Wise does not require the app, thatās why I have been using it so far (I f*cking hate mobile apps, especially those that require Google/Apple attestation to run). If there were a neobank with a FOSS app, I might consider it.