Moving to Switzerland 2026: Money Checklist for Expats

Published on 13 November 2026 · by Helga Baechler, certified wealth advisor IAF

Moving to Switzerland comes with a long to-do list. The money part is often the most confusing, because Swiss banking works a little differently. This money checklist for moving to Switzerland shows you what to set up and in which order, so your salary arrives, your rent deposit is paid and you start saving tax from your first year.

Step 1: open a Swiss bank account

Your employer needs a Swiss IBAN for your salary, and your landlord expects rent from a Swiss account. The fastest way is a neobank: you open the account in an app in a few minutes, usually for free and in English. You typically need your passport or ID card, your Swiss address and your residence permit or the confirmation that it has been applied for. If you do not have your permit yet, read my guide bank account for expats.

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Which one should you choose? Yuh is my pick if you also want to invest. neon is very cheap when paying abroad. Zak has handy savings pots. Alpian suits you if you hold several currencies. All of them are compared in my neobanks Switzerland comparison.

Step 2: activate TWINT

TWINT is the Swiss app for paying with your phone, sending money to friends and paying at the supermarket or the farmer’s stand. Yuh and Zak have TWINT built in, with neon you use TWINT Prepaid. Set it up in your first week, you will need it more often than you think.

Step 3: the rent deposit

Most landlords ask for a deposit of up to three months’ rent. It is paid into a blocked rent deposit account in your name, not directly to the landlord. Alternatively, a rent deposit insurance lets you pay a yearly premium instead of blocking the money. Compare the costs carefully, because the premium is not refunded.

Step 4: health insurance within 3 months

Basic health insurance is mandatory for everyone living in Switzerland, see the official information. You have three months after arrival to take it out, and it applies retroactively from your arrival date. The basic cover is the same at every insurer, but premiums differ a lot, so compare before you sign. A higher deductible lowers your monthly premium.

Step 5: get a free credit card

Swiss debit cards work almost everywhere, but for hotels, car rentals and some online shops a credit card is still handy. My favourite free card is the Coop Supercard credit card. It has no annual fee and, since 12 May 2026, no extra fee on payments in foreign currencies. You collect Superpoints with every payment: 1 point per CHF 1 at Coop and partners and 1 point per CHF 3 everywhere else. 100 Superpoints are worth CHF 1 at Coop.

*Advertising, affiliate link. Enter the code liebefinanzen when you apply. Conditions as of November 2026. All details in my Coop Supercard credit card review.

Step 6: save tax with pillar 3a

As soon as you earn a Swiss salary, you can pay into pillar 3a and deduct it from your taxable income. In 2026 that is up to CHF 7’258 if you have a pension fund. Many expats miss this in their first year. Read my full guide pillar 3a for expats.

Step 7: start investing

Once your emergency fund of three to six months of expenses is in place, you can start investing. With Yuh you can start with CHF 10, with Swissquote you build a larger portfolio at a Swiss bank. My guide best broker for expats helps you choose.

Moving to Switzerland: money checklist to save

And if one day you move on, my guide leaving Switzerland explains what happens to your pillar 3a, pension fund and AHV.

FAQ: moving to Switzerland and money

*Advertising, affiliate links and codes. If you sign up with my code, I may receive a small commission. This costs you nothing extra. This article is for general information only and is not investment, tax or legal advice. Conditions as of November 2026, no guarantee.