How to open a business account in Switzerland 2025

If you have a business in Switzerland – or if you’re thinking of opening a business there – you’ll need a good way to manage your business finances in CHF, AUD and other common currencies like EUR. While there’s no legal reason a non-resident can’t open a business bank account in Switzerland, you may find that non-bank alternatives are easier to operate and offer a more flexible service for non-resident customers.

In this guide, we’ll look at some of the best business account options available, from banks and non-bank alternatives like Wise and Revolut. Plus we cover how to open a business account in Switzerland without going there.

Key points: Swiss business account

• Swiss banks can offer non-resident foreigners a business bank account, but not all banks make this an easy option for smaller business
• Swiss banks may focus their efforts on large corporate and institutional customers rather than non-resident SME owners
• You may find you can get an easier account opening, verification and onboarding process from a non-bank alternative like Wise or Revolut
• Non-bank services can often offer low fees, great rates and a strong range of supported currencies including CHF and aAUD, so you can manage your business finances all in one place

Can I open a business bank account in Switzerland as a non-resident?

Yes, you can open a business account in Switzerland from Australia.

Some Swiss banks offer services to non-resident business owners, but you’ll need to shop around as many local banks prefer to reserve their services for larger corporate and institutional customers.

As a great alternative, non-bank providers like Wise and Revolut have business accounts which can be opened from Australia, while still offering ways to send, receive, spend and receive CHF (Swiss francs).

Can I open a business bank account online in Switzerland?

Yes, it is possible to open a business banking account online which can hold and receive CHF.

Some Swiss banks serve non-resident business customers, but you might need to call the bank to discuss your needs before you can make your application. While some customers may be able to open their accounts online, you might still find you’re asked to visit a branch in person depending on the specific situation and bank you pick.

Instead, you may want to pick Wise or Revolut, which both have fully digital application, verification and onboarding for business customers.

What is the best bank for a business account in Switzerland?

There’s no single best Swiss business account for Australians – the best bank will depend on your individual business needs. That means you’ll need to do a bit of leg work to research your bank and alternative provider options and compare the features available, so you can decide.

Here we’ve picked out 3 non-bank services available in Australia, which support some services in CHF and AUD – Wise, Revolut and Airwallex, plus a Swiss bank for comparison – CIM Banque.

*Details correct at time of writing – 21st January 2025

Wise business account

Great for: No ongoing fees, 40+ supported currencies, ways to receive payments conveniently in CHF and AUD

Wise offers Australian businesses easy ways to open a powerful international account which supports AUD and CHF among 40+ currencies for holding and exchange. You’ll get ways to receive payments in foreign currencies directly, and can order debit and expense cards for you and your team. Plus you can make international transfers with the mid-market rate and low fees to 160+ countries, right from your phone.

Best features:

• Hold, send, spend and receive AUD and CHF in one account
• No ongoing fees, low and transparent transaction fees
• Business extras like batch payments and accounting integrations

Revolut business account

Great for: Choosing account tier to suit your needs, with ways to hold and exchange AUD and CHF, plus card and payment services

Revolut Business in Australia has 3 account tiers, so you can select the one which offers you the best balance of cost and flexibility. The more basic account has fewer no fee transactions every month, making it better for smaller businesses, while larger businesses can trade up to get more no fee options and perks. Accounts support 25+ currencies with some monthly exchange that uses the Revolut rate with no extra fees, before a fair usage fee begins.

Best features:

• 25+ currencies available for holding an exchange including AUD and CHF
• Select the account tier which suits your business size and stage
• All accounts have some no fee currency conversion, transfers and other perks every month

CIM Banque business account

Great for: Business multi-currency bank account supporting 25 currencies, which may be available to non-residents

CIM Banque is a private bank which markets its services for businesses including non-resident account holders. To open your account you’ll usually need to call the bank to talk through their options – depending on your situation you may then be able to open your account online. Multi-currency accounts support 25 currencies, and have variable fees, including quarterly maintenance costs which can add up to over 800 AUD a year.

Best features:

• Several different account options – talk to the bank to decide which meets your needs
• Hold and manage CHF conveniently in a local Swiss bank account
• As CIM is a bank, you’ll be able to get additional financial services easily if you need them

What is the process for opening a business bank account in Switzerland?

The process for opening a business bank account in Switzerland will vary depending on the provider you choose among other factors. Banks may let some customers apply digitally, but this will depend on the specific account and the supporting information and documents you’re able to provide. If you can’t open your account online you’ll need to visit a branch with your paperwork in person.

Non-bank services usually allow you to apply online by uploading images of your documents for verification.

How to open a business account in Switzerland online?

For a streamlined online account opening process you may find a non-bank provider like Wise or Revolut is your best bet. Providers like these have invested in creating frictionless processes to apply, get verified and start to transact – which means you can start with little more than your phone and your paperwork.

As an example, here’s a step by step overview of how to open a Wise Business account:

1. Download the Wise app, or open the Wise desktop site
2. Register with your email address, or an Apple, Google or FaceBook account and confirm you want a business account
3. Follow the prompts to enter your personal and business details
4. Upload your personal ID and address documents, and the required business paperwork for verification
5. Pay the one time account opening fee
6. Once your account is verified, you can order a card, set up currency balances and start transacting

Requirements to open a business bank account in Switzerland

The requirements to open a business bank account in Switzerland depend a lot on the bank or provider you select. Generally you’ll need a registered business – which may have to be in Switzerland – and your  company must comply with the bank or provider’s acceptable use policy. This often means that some types of business aren’t allowed, based on risk or legal issues.

What do you need to open a business bank account in Switzerland?

You’ll always need to provide a set of documents to open a Swiss business account, although what’s needed may depend on the provider and your business entity type. The way you present these to the provider will also vary – you may need to show originals in person or you may be able to upload images as evidence to support your application.

Here is a list of documents usually needed to open a Swiss business account:

• Valid passport or government ID, and sometimes a second form of ID
• Proof of address like a utility bill or rental agreement
• Business documents like your certificate of incorporation, articles of association, business plan, organisational chart, and Australian bank references
• Recent payslips, tax returns, or financial statements as proof of income

Fees to open a Swiss business account

When it comes to opening a Swiss bank account, different providers will have different fee structures. Some accounts are free to open but have monthly fees, or you might come across accounts which don’t have monthly fees but which have a minimum balance requirement instead.

This means you’ll need to read the terms and conditions of any account you’re considering very carefully to make sure you understand the one off and ongoing charges, and any penalties that may apply – for example, fall below fees if you do not maintain the minimum balance.

Related:

How to open a business account in Australia

How to open a business account in Canada

Conclusion: Opening a Swiss business account

You’ll be able to open a business account which can hold and handle CHF as well as other currencies like AUD and EUR from Australia, but you might find that the most flexible options don’t come from banks. Globally, many banks restrict access to non-resident services, which means that the accounts available are better suited to corporates and enterprise level organisations.

Non-bank services like Wise and Revolut can present a better option for startups, SMEs, sole traders and other business entity types looking for a low cost and flexible way to manage money across different currencies.

Use this guide to get some ideas about which CHF business accounts may suit your needs, to select the right one for your growing business.