Requirements for Foreign Entrepreneurs to Open a Swiss Bank Account
2025-09-16 22:47
Why a Swiss Bank Account Is Essential for Entrepreneurs
Switzerland has a global reputation for secure and reliable banking. For foreign entrepreneurs, opening a Swiss bank account not only provides credibility but is also a legal necessity when founding a GmbH or AG.
At DomizilAdresse, we guide you through this process — ensuring you have the right documentation, compliance, and capital arrangements in place.
Identification and Residence Requirements
To comply with Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations, Swiss banks require:
A valid passport or government-issued ID
Proof of residence (utility bill, rental contract, or similar)
In some cases, a Swiss residence permit
Business Documentation
When opening a corporate account, banks also request:
Company formation documents, including Articles of Association and the Commercial Register extract (Swiss Company Formation)
A business plan describing your activities and target markets
If you need a faster route, you may also buy a Swiss shelf company, which already has a legal entity structure in place.
Share Capital Deposit
Swiss company law requires that minimum share capital be deposited into a blocked account:
CHF 20,000 for a GmbH
CHF 100,000 for an AG (with at least CHF 50,000 paid in)
The bank will issue a capital confirmation certificate, which is essential for your registration in the Swiss Commercial Register (Zefix).
Bank Due Diligence
Swiss banks are selective when accepting foreign entrepreneurs. They typically review:
The source of your funds
Your business model and activities (with extra attention for high-risk sectors such as crypto or international trading)
Tax compliance in your country of residence
By working with DomizilAdresse, you can be well prepared for this review process and ensure smooth approval.
Opening Options: In Person or Remote
While some banks still prefer in-person meetings, others allow remote account opening through secure video identification. The requirements depend on the bank and the complexity of your company’s structure.
A Swiss bank account is not just a financial tool — it is the cornerstone of doing business in Switzerland. Alongside banking support, DomizilAdresse also offers: