Our Take on neon metal
Free cash withdrawals worldwide plus travel insurance. The premium is CHF 150 to 180 yearly.
The neon metal account ranks #22 among Switzerland's 45 private accounts. It's neon's premium smartphone-only offering, bundling free worldwide ATM access, cell phone insurance, extended warranties, and a metal card into a CHF 150-180 annual package. For frequent travelers, the math can work.
Are the Fees Worth It?
At CHF 180 per year (monthly plan) or CHF 150 (annual plan), neon metal is the most expensive neon tier. But here's what you get: free cash withdrawals at any ATM worldwide, zero surcharges on card payments abroad, free SEPA transfers, and free non-SEPA payments processed through Wise with a 40% cashback on transfer fees.
Compare that to a typical Swiss bank charging CHF 5 per foreign ATM withdrawal plus 1.5-2% on card payments abroad. If you withdraw cash 10 times abroad per year and spend CHF 5,000 on your card, a traditional bank costs you CHF 50-150 in ATM fees plus CHF 75-125 in surcharges. Neon metal's flat fee starts looking reasonable.
What Actually Stands Out
Free worldwide ATM withdrawals with no foreign currency surcharges is the headline. No other Swiss account at this tier offers truly free global cash access. The Mastercard interbank exchange rate is used everywhere, with no markup on card payments. That's as good as it gets for foreign spending.
The insurance bundle adds real value: cell phone insurance, three additional years of warranty on electronic devices, best price guarantee, and ticket insurance. If you'd be buying even one of those separately (phone insurance alone runs CHF 60-100 per year), the neon metal package effectively discounts your banking. Hypothekarbank Lenzburg acts as the banking partner, so deposits are covered by Swiss deposit insurance.
What Most Reviews Miss
12-month minimum contract. You can't try neon metal for a month and cancel. You're committed for a full year, and termination is only possible on a monthly basis after that. Also, there's no online banking. Everything runs through the smartphone app exclusively. No desktop access at all.
Daily limits are strict: CHF 2,000 cash, CHF 5,000 online, CHF 5,000 in stores. No paper account statements exist, and your tax statement comes as a PDF only. While international transfers are processed through Wise, their exchange rate margins still apply (though neon refunds 40% of the transfer fee).
The Bottom Line
If you travel frequently and the insurance perks overlap with coverage you'd buy anyway, neon metal can genuinely save you money. For homebodies who rarely leave Switzerland, it's overpriced. Check our compare Swiss bank accounts side by side tool to see if the premium justifies itself for your usage.
Verdict: Best for frequent international travelers who'll use the free worldwide ATM access and insurance bundle.
Pros
- No minimum deposit required
- Free SEPA payments
Cons
- Annual management fee (CHF 180)
- No online banking
- No contactless payment
- Age restriction: For individuals from the age of 15.
Account Details
At a Glance
Account Mgmt
CHF 180/year
Interest Rate
0.00%
Debit Card Fee
No fee
Currency
CHF
Fees & Costs
Fees & Costs
Account Opening Fee
No fee
Account Mgmt
CHF 180/year
Debit Card Fee
No fee
Cash Withdrawal (Switzerland)
Free
Cash Withdrawal (Abroad)
No fee
Outgoing Payment (CH)
No fee
SEPA Payment
No fee
Non-SEPA Payment Abroad
No fee
Banking Features
Banking Features
Mobile Banking
Available
Online Banking
Not available
Debit Card Options
Key Features
- No annual fee for debit card
- Mobile banking available
- Debit Mastercard included
- Free cash withdrawals in Switzerland
- Low minimum deposit requirement
Age Requirement
From age 15
Withdrawal Terms
Withdrawal Terms
Account Closure
Free of charge
Additional Information
Additional Information
- Managed via smartphone app
- Online statements only (no paper)
- Free cash withdrawals worldwide
Calculate Your Annual Cost
Annual Cost Breakdown
You Pay Per Year
CHF 180
Rating by Category
Compare to Similar Accounts
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does Neon Metal include compared to Neon Free?
- The metal card itself, free cash withdrawals worldwide, cell phone insurance, three extra years of warranty on electronics, ticket insurance and a best-price guarantee on purchases. Free worldwide cash and free card payments abroad are the financial draw. Neon Free covers the same banking core for CHF 0 in management, minus those perks.
- Are international transfers free on Neon Metal?
- SEPA and non-SEPA transfers are free of bank fees, processed through Wise at the interbank rate plus the standard Wise spread. Neon refunds 40% of the Wise foreign-transfer fee on top. That's the cheapest international-transfer setup on a CH-issued account in our database, neon's structural advantage over traditional banks.
- Does Neon Metal work on desktop?
- No. Smartphone-only, with no desktop online banking. If you need browser access for tax exports, a treasurer role or just because you prefer typing on a keyboard, Neon Metal won't fit. The tax statement is delivered as a PDF you can download from the app to your computer.
- Is there a minimum commitment on Neon Metal?
- 12-month minimum contract, then monthly cancellation. You can pay CHF 15 per month or CHF 150 prepaid annually. Lock-in matters if you might switch banks within the year, in which case Neon Free or another no-commitment account is the safer choice.
How We Rated This Account
Wondering why neon metal got its score? We rate Checking (Everyday) Accounts accounts using a weighted formula. Here's what counts.
Same formula for every account in this category. No exceptions.
Ready to Open?
Open the neon metal today and start enjoying its benefits.