How to open a free Swiss Bank Account online in 2024 by following 9 simple steps?

Switzerland’s popularity as a safe bank haven has many reasons. For one, the country has a very stable and prosperous economy, and one of the highest per capita incomes in the world. It has been neutral for many centuries. In addition, the Swiss franc is one of the most stable currencies in the world.

Unlike the major banks in the country, Dukascopy accepts online video identification and does not require any initial deposit from its customers. You only need your mobile phone and passport or id card with machine readable zone (MRZ) to complete the account opening process.

1 Download Dukascopy Connect 911 app for iOS or Android. We will use it for account opening process.

2 Open the app then enter your mobile phone number and the code received via SMS. You can type 5JX-8NC into promo code field. By doing this, you will earn 5 DUK+ coins and will be exempted from €1 monthly account fee. Dukascopy does not charge for accounts from customers who own 5 or more DUK+ coins.

3 Click “Open Account” or “Bank” button. Scan your passport or id card with MRZ by using your mobile phone camera.

You will be redirected to a web page to fill out a form. You must provide some personal details about yourself, such as your address and employment status. Please fill in all fields carefully. After submitting the form, you can return to the 911 app.

(In some cases, bank can ask you to choose card type and €40 initial deposit according to your employment status at this phase. This amount is not a fee charged by the bank and will be deposited into your EUR account. If your application is rejected, this amount will be refunded to your card.)

4 Have your passport or id card ready. Make sure you have a stable internet connection and that you are in a room with good lighting conditions. Click “Press to start id verification” button at the “Chat with bank” section of the 911 app and wait for the operator to respond. Accept camera and microphone access if prompted.

You will see yourself on the screen during video identification. Operator will ask your full name, date of birth, address and job title. Then you will need to switch to rear camera to take photos of your passport or id card from different angles. That is all.

5 You will receive a notification through email and the 911 app in 1 business day that your account has been successfully opened. Click the link in that notification to take your temporary password.

6 Download Dukascopy Swiss Bank app for iOS or Android. We will use it for banking operations.

7 Login with your phone number, temporary password and SMS code. You may receive SMS code via 911 app. Go to “Accounts” tab and click 3 dots on the upper right. Click “Open new account” and select EUR.

Congratulations! You now have an official bank account in Switzerland. In your account, you can see your IBAN number starting with CH characters representing Switzerland.

(If you have deposited €40 at the application phase, this amount will be credited to your EUR account in a couple of hours.)

Dukascopy describes its banking service as MCA (Multi Currency Account). You can open accounts in 23 different currencies as explained above.

8 You can fund your Dukascopy account using your debit/credit cards, SEPA/Wire transfer, Skrill and Neteller. You can use the same methods also for withdraw and send funds. You can check your remaining limit which is $50.000 or equivalent by default on “Limits” page at the app menu. If you need higher limits, you need to contact bank and verify your income details.

9 Final step is getting our Dukascopy card. (If you already chose your card at the application phase, you can skip this step.) Go to “Cards” tab and click (+) button on the upper right then select “Order new card”. You can create a virtual card instantly for 9 CHF. It is suitable if you want to spend your funds online or use it with Apple Pay & Samsung Pay only. If you also need to access your funds through ATMs or spend at physical shops, you may want to choose plastic card for 15 CHF including global delivery. Both card types have a monthly fee of 2 CHF.

Dukascopy cards are prepaid, not debit or credit. This means that they are not connected to your MCA account directly. You need to transfer funds from your account to your card before using it. Transfers from account to card and from card to account are free as long as they have the same currency. You can transfer funds between your account and card on the “Cards” tab anytime you want.