UBS Basic Card Visa
UBS
Overall Rating
Annual fee
CHF 0
Network
Visa
Rewards Type
No rewards
Also good for
Our Take on UBS Basic Card Visa
Use it twice a month and pay nothing. Skip a month and it costs CHF 20. Simple rules.
The UBS Basic Card Visa provides bare-bones credit card functionality within the UBS ecosystem. Make 24 purchases a year and the card is free. Fall short and you pay CHF 20 annually. UBS offers this card on Mastercard as well, with identical conditions. No rewards, no insurance, just a payment tool for active UBS customers. See also the UBS Basic Mastercard.
The Fee Structure Explained
24 purchases per year keeps the fee at zero. That's roughly 2 transactions per month. Grocery runs, coffee stops, or gas fill-ups all count. First year is free regardless, so you can test whether you'll hit the threshold.
If you fall below 24 purchases, the CHF 20 annual fee kicks in. It's not expensive, but paying any fee for a no-rewards card feels unnecessary when free alternatives with cashback exist.
What UBS Offers Here
No income requirement makes this one of Switzerland's most accessible credit cards. The CHF 4,000 spending limit is modest but adequate for everyday purchases. Apple Pay and Google Pay are supported.
Integration with UBS digital banking is the real selling point. Unified account management, spending tracking, and seamless transfers within the UBS ecosystem. If you bank with UBS, everything lives in one place.
The Honest Tradeoffs
No rewards on any purchase. Free cards elsewhere offer 1% cashback with zero effort. The 2% FX fee is above average for international transactions. Physical cards lack contactless NFC, though mobile wallets fill that gap.
The only reason to choose this over a rewarding free card is UBS loyalty. If you want your credit card inside the UBS app alongside your checking and savings accounts, this delivers that. If not, better options exist.
The Bottom Line
A gateway credit card for UBS customers who want simplicity and banking integration. Limited appeal outside the UBS ecosystem. Our best credit cards in Switzerland guide highlights cards with actual rewards.
Verdict: Practical for active UBS customers who'll hit 24 transactions yearly. Outside that scenario, free cards with cashback are objectively better.
PROS
- Apple Pay compatible
- Multiple mobile payment options (Samsung Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Garmin Pay)
- 24-hour customer service support
- No income requirement
CONS
- High foreign exchange fee (2%)
- No welcome bonus
- No travel insurance
- No medical coverage
- No airport lounge access
- No concierge service
Card Details
At a Glance
Annual fee
Free
1st Year
CHF 40
Rewards rate
-
FX Fee
2%
Fees & Costs
Fees & Costs
First year annual fee
CHF 40
Annual fee (after first year)
No annual fee
Foreign exchange fee
2%
Cash Withdrawal (Domestic)
4% (min CHF 10)
Cash Withdrawal (International)
6% (min CHF 10)
Late Payment Fee
CHF 30
Additional Cards
CHF 20/year (1st year free)
Rewards Program
Rewards Program
Rewards type
No rewards
Base rewards rate
-
Insurance & Protection
Insurance & Protection
Travel insurance coverage
No travel insurance
Medical insurance coverage
No medical coverage
Purchase protection
No purchase protection
Card Features
Card Features
Card Network
Visa
Card Type
Standard
Currency
CHF
Minimum income requirement
No income requirement
Monthly spending limit
CHF 4'000
Airport lounge access
Concierge service
Key Features
- Multiple mobile payment options (Samsung Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Garmin Pay)
- 24-hour customer service support
- No income requirement
- Comprehensive insurance package with 11 types available
- Low annual fee tailored for budget-conscious users
Calculate If This Card Is Worth It for You
= CHF 30'000/year
You Pay
CHF 0
per year
You Get Back
CHF 0
estimated value
Bottom Line
+CHF 0
in your pocket
Annual calculation:
Move the slider to see how your spending affects the card's value. Miles: 1.5 ct, points: 1 ct (UBS points: 1 CHF).
Rating by Category
Compare to Other Cards
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the UBS Basic Card Visa really a different product from the UBS Basic Mastercard?
- Functionally they're the same card with two network labels. Same CHF 4,000 monthly cap, same supplementary mechanic (first year free, then CHF 20 unless you log 24 purchases), same insurance set, same FX cost, same 6.00% intl cash withdrawal. UBS publishes the pair so customers can pick the scheme they prefer; the terms track each other one-for-one.
- Is there a minimum income to qualify?
- UBS publishes no income floor for the Basic Card Visa. Approval rests on Swiss residency and your overall customer profile rather than a hard threshold. The CHF 4,000 monthly cap is how UBS limits its own risk at this entry tier, not a gatekeeping number on the application form.
How We Rated This Card
Wondering why UBS Basic Card Visa got its score? We rate Student cards using a weighted formula. Here's what counts:
Same formula for every card in this category. No exceptions.
See our full rating methodologyReady to Apply?
Apply for the UBS Basic Card Visa today and start enjoying its benefits.