Over 2.3 million foreigners live in Switzerland, yet most credit card guides are written as if everyone has a Swiss passport. If you've ever been rejected for a card or felt confused by the application process, you're not alone. Here's everything you actually need to know.
Can Foreigners Get a Credit Card in Switzerland?
Yes. If you have a valid Swiss residence permit and a registered address, you can apply for a credit card. Full stop. The myth that you need Swiss citizenship is exactly that: a myth.
That said, not all permits are treated equally. Your permit type, income level, and credit history with ZEK (Switzerland's central credit information office) will determine which cards you can get and at what credit limit. Permit C holders are treated almost identically to Swiss citizens. Permit B holders face slightly more scrutiny, but most major issuers accept them without issue.
The real barrier for newly arrived expats isn't nationality. It's the lack of a Swiss credit history. Switzerland doesn't use a score-based system like the US or UK. Instead, ZEK tracks whether you've had credit products before and whether you've paid on time. If you're brand new to the country, you essentially start with a blank slate, which can actually work in your favor.
Credit Card Eligibility by Permit Type
Your residency permit determines your starting point. Here's what each permit means for credit card applications.
Permit B
The most common permit for expats. Accepted by all major Swiss credit card issuers including Swisscard, Cembra, Cornèrcard, and most cantonal banks. Some issuers may set a lower initial credit limit (CHF 3,000 to CHF 5,000) until you build a track record. You'll need to show proof of income, typically CHF 2,000 to CHF 3,000 net monthly minimum.
Permit C
Treated essentially the same as Swiss citizens. No additional restrictions. You'll have access to the full range of cards including premium and luxury products. Higher credit limits are available from day one if your income supports it.
Permit L
Trickier. Some issuers won't issue credit cards to L permit holders because the permit duration is under 12 months. Your best options here are prepaid cards or neobank cards (Revolut, Wise) that don't require a traditional credit check.
Permit G
G permit holders work in Switzerland but live abroad. Most Swiss credit card issuers require a Swiss residential address, which means G permit holders are generally limited to their home country's cards or Swiss prepaid/neobank options.
The most common permit for expats. Accepted by all major Swiss credit card issuers including Swisscard, Cembra, Cornèrcard, and most cantonal banks. Some issuers may set a lower initial credit limit (CHF 3,000 to CHF 5,000) until you build a track record. You'll need to show proof of income, typically CHF 2,000 to CHF 3,000 net monthly minimum.
Treated essentially the same as Swiss citizens. No additional restrictions. You'll have access to the full range of cards including premium and luxury products. Higher credit limits are available from day one if your income supports it.
Trickier. Some issuers won't issue credit cards to L permit holders because the permit duration is under 12 months. Your best options here are prepaid cards or neobank cards (Revolut, Wise) that don't require a traditional credit check.
G permit holders work in Switzerland but live abroad. Most Swiss credit card issuers require a Swiss residential address, which means G permit holders are generally limited to their home country's cards or Swiss prepaid/neobank options.
What You Need to Apply
Every Swiss credit card issuer requires the same core documents. Here's the checklist, no surprises.
Your biometric foreigners' permit (Ausländerausweis). B, C, or L permit. Make sure it's not expired. Some issuers accept a confirmation letter from your municipality if you're still waiting for the physical card.
Last 3 salary slips or your most recent tax assessment. Most issuers want to see at least CHF 24,000 to CHF 36,000 annual gross income. Free cards tend to have lower thresholds.
A registered Swiss address (Wohnsitz). Your name needs to be on the mailbox. A hotel or temporary address usually won't work.
The credit card bill needs to be debited from somewhere. Most issuers require a Swiss IBAN. If you don't have a Swiss bank account yet, open one first. This is step zero.
No negative entries in the ZEK/IKO databases. If you're new to Switzerland and have never had credit here, your record is clean by default. That's good news.
Best Credit Cards for Expats in Switzerland
Not all cards are equally easy to get as a foreigner. Here are the ones with the lowest barriers and best value for expats.
No-fee cards with low barriers: Swisscard Cashback Cards (the Visa version specifically) require no annual fee and accept Permit B holders. Migros Cumulus Visa is another solid free option that most expats can get approved for. Both offer basic cashback and are widely accepted across Switzerland.
Neobank cards as a bridge: If you just arrived and don't have income documentation yet, Revolut and Wise both offer Swiss-compatible cards without a traditional credit check. They're technically debit/prepaid cards, but they work everywhere a credit card does. Perfect as a temporary solution while you build your Swiss financial profile.
Mid-tier cards for established expats: Once you have 6 to 12 months of Swiss residency and stable income, cards like the Certo! One Mastercard from Cembra (CHF 0 to CHF 49 annual fee, 0.5% cashback) become accessible. If your income is above CHF 60,000, most premium cards from Swisscard or Cornèrcard will accept your application regardless of nationality.
For a full comparison of all Swiss credit cards ranked by value, check our best credit cards in Switzerland overview.
Common Mistakes Expats Make with Credit Cards
After helping expats navigate Swiss finances for years, I see the same errors repeatedly.
Every credit card application gets logged in ZEK. Three rejected applications in a short period looks bad on your record. Do your research, pick one card that fits your profile, and apply there first. If rejected, wait 3 months before trying another issuer.
You can request your ZEK data for free once a year. If you had a previous Swiss stint with unpaid bills, there might be negative entries you don't know about. Check before you apply. Surprises are never fun in credit applications.
Expats often transact in multiple currencies: CHF, EUR, GBP, USD. Most Swiss credit cards charge 1.5% to 2.5% on non-CHF transactions. If you send money home or shop on international websites regularly, these fees add up fast. Look for cards with low FX fees or use a multi-currency card for non-CHF spending.
Most Swiss credit cards are actually charge cards. The full balance is debited from your bank account once a month. There's no option to carry a balance like in the US or UK. This trips up a lot of newcomers. Set up a direct debit and make sure your bank account has sufficient funds before the monthly debit date.
My Recommendation for Expats
As someone who moved to Switzerland and had to figure all of this out myself: start simple. Get a free card like Swisscard Cashback Visa or Migros Cumulus Visa within your first few months. Use it consistently and pay on time. After 6 to 12 months, you'll have a Swiss credit history and can upgrade to a premium card if your spending justifies it. Don't overcomplicate this. The Swiss system is actually more straightforward than most countries once you understand the basics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreigners get a credit card in Switzerland?
Yes. Any foreign national with a valid Swiss residence permit (B or C) can apply for a credit card. You'll need proof of income, a Swiss address, and a Swiss bank account. Permit C holders have no restrictions. Permit B holders are accepted by most issuers with standard requirements.
What credit card can I get with a Permit B in Switzerland?
Permit B holders can access most Swiss credit cards. Free options like Swisscard Cashback Visa and Migros Cumulus Visa have the lowest barriers. For premium cards, you'll typically need at least CHF 60,000 annual income. Initial credit limits may be lower (CHF 3,000 to CHF 5,000) until you build history.
Do I need a Swiss credit score to get a credit card?
Switzerland doesn't use credit scores like the US or UK. Instead, ZEK (Zentralstelle für Kreditinformation) tracks your credit history. As a new arrival, you start with a clean slate. As long as you have no negative entries and meet income requirements, you can get approved.
How long do I need to live in Switzerland before I can get a credit card?
There's no official waiting period. You can apply as soon as you have your residence permit, a Swiss address, a Swiss bank account, and proof of income. Some expats get approved within their first month. Having 3 to 6 months of Swiss banking history can help if your first application is rejected.
Which Swiss credit cards have no foreign currency fees?
Very few Swiss credit cards truly waive foreign currency fees. Neobank options like Revolut and Wise offer competitive exchange rates with minimal markups. Among traditional Swiss cards, check the FX fee column in our credit card reviews to find the lowest rates for your spending pattern.
