Europe is home to international students, and by extension, Switzerland also is. Being in the west-central part of Europe and a very safe place, it is no wonder that many international students go to Switzerland every year.

According to the Swiss Federal Statistical Office, there are currently 76,257 international students enrolled in institutions of higher education in Switzerland. When international students go to Switzerland, they need the best banks that help with their day-to-day financial transitions, savings, and everything money management. This is why we have put together a list of the best banks that you can use as an international student in Switzerland.  

Types of Bank Accounts for International Students in Switzerland

The types of bank accounts available to international students in Switzerland depend on your needs, wants, and desires, you can choose one or more from the options below.

• Student Private/Personal Account: It is also called a chequing account, giro account, salary account, etc. It is the type of account that you use for your everyday transactions. It is an easy go-to account that you must have as a student. 
• Student Savings Account: Just as the name implies, this is an account that you open to save money. It is not like the private/chequing account which you can use for your everyday transactions. In Swiss banks, you can choose between the Youth Savings Account and the Standard Savings Account. 
• Student Bank Packages: In addition to the two bank account types mentioned above, students also have this option. In these special bank packages, students can find many combined offers which include private accounts, savings accounts, credit cards, and bank cards. You can have it all in this special package. 

As an international student, make sure to check with your bank for the best guidance/advice on what bank account(s) you should operate. If you do not seek proper guidance, you may end up making costly mistakes. 

The Best Banks for International Students in Switzerland

Not all banks in Switzerland have provisions for international students. Some banks do not offer student packages— whether for international students or not.  So, you must know what banks in Switzerland accept international students. This will help save you time and energy. 

UBS.

UBS is the short form of Union Bank of Switzerland. UBS has been around for over 160 years. It is not only the biggest bank in Switzerland, but also one of the largest private banks in the whole world. It offers packages like the private/personal account and savings account. It also offers some other types of accounts that may not apply to you as an international student, like the investment account. UBS has its operational headquarters in Zurich. 

To open a personal account with UBS, click here.

ZKB.

Zürcher Kantonalbank (also Zurich Cantonal Bank) is also one of the largest banks in Switzerland. It is a cantonal bank. Cantonal banks are government-owned banks that offer their services/accounts only to people who live within the Swiss region they operate in. They have basic and premium account packages. They also have packages for students and young people generally. This bank also has its headquarters in Zurich. 

To open a personal account with Zurich Cantonal Bank, click here.

OhentPay is a mobile app that lets you send and receive money internationally swiftly and at the best rates.  With Ohentpay, you can send and receive money to over 190 countries, and exchange over 40 currencies. So you can send or receive support from loved ones back home without delay. 

Credit Suisse.

Credit Suisse currently operates as a retail bank. After UBS, it is the second-largest bank in Switzerland with international recognition. It also offers personal and savings account options. Other options like mortgages, investments, pensions, etc., are part of the account packages offered by Credit Suisse. 

To open a personal account with Credit Suisse, click here.

Post Finance.

This is also one of the few banks that offer youth and student accounts. It is a subsidiary of Swiss Post Ltd, having a history of about a century and counting. One interesting thing about Post Finance Bank in Switzerland is that it has a product recommendation tool. This tool gives you guidance on the right decision to make regarding choosing your account(s). 

With Post Finance, there are provisions for private accounts, savings accounts, and other special account packages that you can choose from. 

To open an international student account with Post Finance Bank, start here.

BCV.

Banque Cantonale Vaudoise is another bank that you can use as an international student in Switzerland. It is headquartered in Lausanne and provides its services to people who live in the Vaud canton. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise has different account packages— including the classic, direct, premium, family, etc. packages. It also has account provisions for children and international students.

To open an international student account with Banque Cantonale Vaudoise, start here.

Wrapping Up

The listed banks in this post are good for international students in Switzerland, however, each has its different features. So, consider all the banks listed above and carefully select which one you think works best for your needs and preferences. 

You can book an appointment with any of them to ask whatever questions you may have. This will help you make better-informed decisions regarding which bank to eventually operate with. 

If you're an international student looking for the best bank account in different countries, you should go through our blog for more.

If you’d like to send money anywhere in the world from Switzerland and you prefer fast transfers at great rates, we recommend the OhentPay money transfer service. Create an account to get started here.

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