How to Open a Business Account in Switzerland: The Complete Guide for 2026
A business account is one of the most important prerequisites for founding and operating a company in Switzerland. Without a Swiss business account, you can neither deposit the required share capital nor process payments on behalf of your company.
For international entrepreneurs, however, opening an account can be complicated. Swiss banks are subject to strict Know-Your-Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money-Laundering (AML) regulations, which means ownership structure, source of funds and business model are scrutinized closely. The basis for this includes the Swiss Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) and the corresponding FINMA guidelines.
This guide explains step by step how to open a business account in Switzerland, which banks also accept non-residents, and how to avoid the typical rejections.
Especially for entrepreneurs from Germany or other EU countries, it's worth understanding the specifics of the Swiss banking system early on, as many requirements differ significantly from those in the EU.
What Types of Business Accounts Exist in Switzerland?
Before exploring account opening in more detail, you should first understand the specific account types relevant in Switzerland.
The capital deposit account is particularly important in Switzerland, as it is required for the notarial company formation.
To form a GmbH (LLC) or AG (LTD), the capital must first be deposited into such an account. According to the Swiss Federal Administration, the required minimum capital is:
After registering the company in the commercial register, the capital is automatically transferred to the company's regular bank account.
For you as an international founder, this means: without a capital deposit account, the actual company formation in Switzerland cannot be completed.
Which Banks Accept Non-Residents?
Not all Swiss banks open accounts for companies without a local connection.
Many institutions require that some of the owners or managing directors are resident in Switzerland.
This is mainly because banks must examine business relationships with an international dimension more carefully from a regulatory perspective.
In practice, the situation at different banks often looks like this:
A common problem:
At some banks, including UBS or Zuger Kantonalbank, capital deposit accounts or business accounts are sometimes only opened if at least around 20% of the share capital is held by a person with a Swiss residence.
For international founders, this can be a significant hurdle. As an entrepreneur, you should therefore check several banks in parallel in advance to increase your chances of opening an account.
Neobanks vs. Traditional Banks
Digital banks have significantly changed the market in recent years. Especially for founders from abroad, they can be an interesting and relatively quickly available alternative to traditional banks.
Neobanks
Examples:
- Relio
- Revolut Business
Advantages
- Faster account opening
- Fully digital
- Often less bureaucracy
Disadvantages
- More limited feature set
- Sometimes no full deposit protection
- Restricted transaction volumes
Relio, for example, is a popular solution for capital deposit accounts, as account opening is often significantly faster than with traditional banks.
Revolut Business is frequently used by existing companies as an "express option", but is usually not suitable for large volumes or complex structures.
Traditional Banks
Examples:
- UBS
- PostFinance
- Cantonal banks
Advantages
- Established infrastructure
- Larger transaction volumes possible
- Broader range of services
Disadvantages
- Longer review process
- Stricter compliance
- Higher requirements regarding ownership structure
Deposits at Swiss banks are generally protected up to CHF 100,000 per customer, provided the bank participates in the deposit protection scheme.
Industries with Elevated Compliance Risk
Not every industry is treated the same by banks. Some business models automatically trigger more intensive AML reviews.
The enhanced scrutiny is based on international standards for combating money laundering and terrorist financing, such as the guidelines of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which Switzerland also implements.
Companies in commodity trading (e.g., oil, gas, metals, agricultural commodities) often have a harder time opening a bank account, as banks frequently see elevated risks of money laundering or sanctions violations there. Therefore, banks examine such companies much more thoroughly and the AML process takes longer.
Crypto companies also face difficulties. If you operate in this sector, it is advisable to turn to specialized banks, such as:
These institutions are more likely to accept crypto business models, but often require higher fees and extensive documentation.
What Documents Do Swiss Banks Require?
Banks in Switzerland typically require extensive information about the company and its ownership structure when opening an account.
Typical requirements include:
Swiss banks are obligated to identify both the contractual partner and the beneficial owners.
Banks also frequently require detailed information about:
- Target markets
- Expected transactions
- Source of assets
- Beneficial owners
Especially for international companies, it is important to present this information clearly and consistently. The more transparent the ownership structure and business model, the smoother the bank's review process will generally be.
How Long Does Account Opening Take?
The duration of opening a Swiss business account depends heavily on the bank and your business model or company structure:
As a general rule: companies with international ownership structures or in regulated industries usually have to expect longer review times. Especially for new companies without an operational history, banks frequently request additional information or clarifications.
Why Does Account Opening Often Fail?
It is not uncommon for founders to be rejected by every Swiss bank and therefore unable to establish their company.
The most common reasons are:
- Unclear ownership structure or lack of economic substance
- Unrealistic business plan
- No Swiss connection
- Risky industry
- Incomplete documentation
- Unrealistic financial planning
What you can do about it:
Avoid complex offshore structures without economic substance. Additionally, a local managing director or shareholder can be helpful. The business model should be plausible and the origin of the capital should be traceable at all times.
Step by Step: Opening a Business Account in Switzerland
Now that you know the most important requirements, the account opening process can be clearly structured.
Step 1 – Choose a Bank
Compare:
- Traditional banks
- Digital banks
- Specialized institutions
Step 2 – Prepare Documents
Minimum required:
- Passport copies
- Business plan
- Company structure
- Shareholder list
Step 3 – Open Capital Deposit Account
For a GmbH or AG, the capital must first be deposited into a special account.
Step 4 – Company Formation at the Notary (for GmbH or AG)
The notary confirms the capital deposit and submits the company registration with the commercial register.
Step 5 – Activate Business Account
After registration, the capital is automatically transferred to the company's operational account.
Conclusion
Opening a business account in Switzerland today is significantly more complex than it was a few years ago. Strict compliance rules and international anti-money laundering regulations mean that banks scrutinize many applications carefully.
With the right preparation – a clear structure, complete documents and realistic planning – the process can be significantly accelerated.
Especially for international founders, it pays to check early on which bank best suits the business model.
If you prepare early and consider several banks, you significantly increase your chances of successfully opening a Swiss business account.
We are happy to advise you personally on which bank best suits your business model and support you throughout the entire account opening process – simply get in touch with us.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is provided for general informational purposes only. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or currentness of the content.