Opening a bank account, practical checklist

Last checked: 5 Oct 2026. Unofficial student guide, not EPFL or government advice: confirm on the linked official pages before you act. Unfamiliar abbreviation? See the Glossary.

For product descriptions and official bank links already in the kit, use:

→ Opening a bank account

Confirm ages, inclusions, and prices only on each bank’s own page (they change).

Why open one early

Many Swiss day-to-day steps (rent deposits, salary, scholarships, TWINT) are easier with a Swiss account. Student / youth packages exist; terms, ages, and documents change, confirm on each bank’s own page.

Documents to bring (checklist)

Use this list before you go to a branch or start an online application:

• Passport / national ID
• EPFL enrolment proof (enrolment certificate from IS-Academia; EPFL says typically less than 3 months old, see residence-permit page)
• Proof of Swiss residence: residence permit or commune registration attestation

EPFL notes that the Residents’ registration office attestation (while you wait for the official permit) allows you to open a bank account. The attestation is not a travel document, it will not let you re-enter Switzerland if you leave. See Permit & commune.

UBS (international students, official FAQ on their youth/students page): passport/ID; proof of residence in Switzerland (permit B, C, Ci or L, or municipal registration confirmation); and enrolment proof (student ID card or current enrolment confirmation). Open via the UBS app or at a branch.

Source: EPFL, Residence permit; UBS, Youth and students account (also consistent with the kit Bank section)

Suggested order of operations

1. Register at your commune’s Contrôle des habitants (EPFL/Lausanne: within 14 days; Renens/canton: within 8 days, follow your commune). Ask for the attestation.
2. Print a recent enrolment certificate from IS-Academia.
3. Open the account with passport + enrolment proof + permit or attestation.
4. Once the account exists, update salary / scholarship / TWINT / rent-deposit details as needed.

Paying bills once the account is open (QR-bill, eBill, TWINT): see Paying Swiss bills.

Student-oriented options already listed in the kit

Confirm current terms on the banks’ pages:

• PostFinance, Student account (SmartStudents package; conditions and price list on that page / linked PDF)
• UBS, Youth and students account

Other cantonal or private banks may offer student packages, use only their official websites.

What this checklist does not cover

• Comparing interest rates or recommending a bank
• Paid premium packages
• Exact fee tables (always read the bank’s price list)
• Non-student business accounts

To verify: whether your specific commune attestation wording is accepted by every bank branch, ask the bank if unsure (EPFL and UBS both mention municipal registration confirmation / attestation as acceptable proof of residence in principle).

Fake bank calls, SMS and emails: see Phishing, fake parcel SMS and phone scams.

Transfers abroad, fees and exchange rates: see Sending money abroad.