Swiss banks approved over 8 million credit cards in 2025, but most students assume they can't get one. They're wrong. You don't need a full-time salary, and you don't need years of credit history. You just need to know which doors to knock on and what to bring.
Can Students Get a Credit Card in Switzerland?
Yes. This is the question I hear most from university students, and the answer is straightforward: most Swiss banks offer credit cards to students from age 18, even without regular income.
The confusion comes from comparing Switzerland to other countries. In the US or UK, "student credit cards" are a formal product category. In Switzerland, banks don't typically label cards as "student-only." Instead, they offer regular credit cards with flexible approval criteria, banking packages aimed at young adults, or prepaid alternatives that sidestep credit checks entirely.
Here's what actually matters for approval: your residency status, your age, and whether a Swiss bank can verify your identity. Income helps, but several cards don't require it at all.
Credit Card for University Students: What Banks Want
Every Swiss credit card application goes through a similar process. Banks check three things, and understanding them gives you a real advantage over other applicants.
The basics every bank requires
- Age 18 or older. Some banks set the threshold at 20, but most accept 18.
- Swiss residency. You need a valid permit (C, B, or even L for some issuers).
- A Swiss bank account. The card issuer needs somewhere to send the bill.
- A Swiss address. University housing or a shared flat counts.
The income question
This is where it gets interesting. Banks ask about income, but "income" for students can mean many things:
- Part-time job earnings (even CHF 500/month helps)
- Scholarship payments
- Regular transfers from family
- PhD or research assistant salary
- Internship income
Some cards don't require income proof at all. The Swisscard Cashback Cards, Certo One Mastercard, and PKZ Insider Card Visa all skip the income check. Your credit limit will be lower (CHF 1,000 to 2,000), but the card works the same way. You can see exactly how each of these cards performs in our credit card reviews.
What about ZEK?
ZEK (Zentralstelle für Kreditinformation) is Switzerland's credit information database, operating under the oversight of FINMA, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority. Every credit card application gets logged there. Here's what students need to know:
- A clean ZEK record is essential. If you have no entries, that's fine. It means you haven't had credit problems.
- Multiple applications in a short period look bad. Each application creates an entry. Apply to five banks in one week, and the fifth bank sees a pattern that screams "desperate."
- Pick one card and apply. Do your research first, choose the best option, then submit one application. Wait at least 3 months before trying elsewhere if you're rejected.
First Credit Card as a Student: Step-by-Step
Getting your first credit card doesn't need to be complicated. Here's the process that gives you the best chance of approval.
If you don't have one yet, start here. UBS, PostFinance, Raiffeisen, and cantonal banks all offer free or cheap student accounts. The account takes 1 to 2 weeks to set up. You need this before applying for any credit card.
Student ID or enrollment confirmation. Swiss residence permit. Proof of address (rental contract or university housing confirmation). If you have income, bring payslips or scholarship letters.
Don't apply to everything. Check the best student credit cards in Switzerland to find cards that match your situation. No income? Go for a no-income-requirement card. Have a part-time job? You qualify for more options.
Most banks accept online applications. If your situation is unusual (international student, no regular income), an in-branch appointment can help because the advisor can assess your case individually.
Typical processing: 5 to 10 business days. If approved, your card arrives by mail. If rejected, wait at least 3 months before applying elsewhere.
Student Credit Card Without Income: Your Options
This is the biggest question students ask. Yes, you can get a credit card in Switzerland without a salary. Here are your real options, ranked by how easy they are to get.
No-income cards
Several Swiss credit cards don't ask for income proof at all:
- Swisscard Cashback Cards (CHF 0/year): 1% cashback on Amex, 0.25% on Visa/Mastercard. No income requirement. You get two cards (Amex + Visa or Mastercard).
- Certo One Mastercard (CHF 0/year): 1% cashback at Migros, Coop, and SBB. CHF 50 welcome bonus. CHF 100,000 travel insurance included.
- PKZ Insider Card Visa (CHF 0/year): 0.5% cashback everywhere. Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay supported.
These cards give you a lower credit limit (CHF 1,000 to 2,000) but they're genuine credit cards that build your payment history.
Bank packages
If you're setting up your Swiss banking from scratch, student packages are the path of least resistance:
- UBS Student Package: Free until age 30. Includes a credit card with CHF 1,000+ limit. Branches everywhere.
- PostFinance SmartStudent: Credit card for CHF 50/year (included in package). ATMs in every village.
- Cantonal banks (ZKB, BCV, etc.): Often free student packages with a credit card or debit card included.
The credit card in these packages has modest limits, but you're building a banking relationship that helps with future applications.
Prepaid cards
If nothing else works, prepaid credit cards give you card functionality without a credit check:
- Swiss Bankers Life: Available from age 16. Load money onto the card first, then spend. Accepted everywhere Mastercard works.
- Neobank debit cards (Neon, Yuh): Not technically credit cards, but they work for online shopping, subscriptions, and travel. No credit check, open an account in 10 minutes.
The downside: prepaid and debit cards don't build credit history. They're a bridge solution, not a long-term strategy.
Several Swiss credit cards don't ask for income proof at all:
- Swisscard Cashback Cards (CHF 0/year): 1% cashback on Amex, 0.25% on Visa/Mastercard. No income requirement. You get two cards (Amex + Visa or Mastercard).
- Certo One Mastercard (CHF 0/year): 1% cashback at Migros, Coop, and SBB. CHF 50 welcome bonus. CHF 100,000 travel insurance included.
- PKZ Insider Card Visa (CHF 0/year): 0.5% cashback everywhere. Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay supported.
These cards give you a lower credit limit (CHF 1,000 to 2,000) but they're genuine credit cards that build your payment history.
If you're setting up your Swiss banking from scratch, student packages are the path of least resistance:
- UBS Student Package: Free until age 30. Includes a credit card with CHF 1,000+ limit. Branches everywhere.
- PostFinance SmartStudent: Credit card for CHF 50/year (included in package). ATMs in every village.
- Cantonal banks (ZKB, BCV, etc.): Often free student packages with a credit card or debit card included.
The credit card in these packages has modest limits, but you're building a banking relationship that helps with future applications.
If nothing else works, prepaid credit cards give you card functionality without a credit check:
- Swiss Bankers Life: Available from age 16. Load money onto the card first, then spend. Accepted everywhere Mastercard works.
- Neobank debit cards (Neon, Yuh): Not technically credit cards, but they work for online shopping, subscriptions, and travel. No credit check, open an account in 10 minutes.
The downside: prepaid and debit cards don't build credit history. They're a bridge solution, not a long-term strategy.
Credit Card from Age 18 in Switzerland: What to Know
Turning 18 is the minimum age for a Swiss credit card, but there are nuances most people miss.
At 18, you're legally an adult in Switzerland. Banks can issue you credit without parental consent. But "can" doesn't mean "will." At 18 with no income and no credit history, your options are limited to no-income-requirement cards or student banking packages.
Between 18 and 20, some banks add restrictions. UBS and a few cantonal banks set their own age minimum at 20 for standalone credit card applications. Their student packages still work from 18, just the separate credit card application has a higher threshold.
After 20, and especially with some income, your options expand significantly. A part-time job earning CHF 1,000/month opens the door to most standard cards, not just student-specific ones.
If you're comparing your full range of options, the credit card eligibility guide covers requirements across all card types, not just student cards.
Common Mistakes with Student Credit Cards
After building GetRates and analyzing hundreds of credit card applications, these are the errors I see students make repeatedly.
Every application creates a ZEK entry. Apply to three banks in one week and the third bank sees a pattern of rejections. Pick one card, apply, and wait. If rejected, wait 3 months before trying elsewhere.
A CHF 2,000 credit limit means you can borrow up to CHF 2,000. It's not extra cash in your budget. If you can't pay the full statement every month, you're spending money you don't have, and Swiss credit card interest rates (9% to 15%) will punish you for it.
Ordering from Amazon.de, booking Ryanair flights, paying for a Spotify subscription in EUR. All of these trigger foreign currency fees of 1.5% to 2.5%. On CHF 200/month of non-CHF spending, that's CHF 36 to CHF 60 per year in hidden costs.
One late payment gets reported to ZEK. One. Set up automatic full-balance payment from day one. You'll never pay interest, never be late, and never damage your credit record. This is non-negotiable.
Students who apply for premium rewards cards get rejected, then can't apply anywhere else for months. Start with a card you'll actually get approved for. Upgrade later when you have income and history.
My Recommendation
Here's my honest advice after years of watching students navigate Swiss credit cards: start simple and start early. Get a free card like Certo One or Swisscard Cashback, set up autopay for the full balance, and use it for online purchases and travel bookings. That's it. You're building a clean payment record that will matter when you need a mortgage, a car lease, or a better card after graduation. Don't overthink the rewards. Don't chase the best cashback rate. The most valuable thing a student credit card gives you isn't rewards. It's proof that you pay your bills on time. Everything else is noise. For comparing specific cards, check our best student credit cards ranking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can students get a credit card in Switzerland?
Yes. Most Swiss banks issue credit cards to students from age 18, even without regular income. Cards like Swisscard Cashback and Certo One Mastercard have no income requirement. Bank student packages from UBS or PostFinance include credit cards with modest limits (CHF 1,000 to 3,000). International students need a B permit, Swiss bank account, and proof of enrollment.
What is the best first credit card for students in Switzerland?
For most students, the Certo One Mastercard is the best starting point. It costs CHF 0 per year, gives 1% cashback at Migros, Coop, and SBB, includes CHF 100,000 in travel insurance, and doesn't require income proof. The Swisscard Cashback Cards are a strong alternative if you want two cards (Amex + Visa/Mastercard) at no cost.
Can I get a Swiss credit card without income as a student?
Yes. Several Swiss credit cards don't require income proof: Swisscard Cashback Cards, Certo One Mastercard, and PKZ Insider Card Visa all accept applicants without a salary. Your credit limit will be lower (CHF 1,000 to 2,000), but the card functions identically. Prepaid cards from Swiss Bankers are another option with no income check at all.
What documents do students need to apply for a credit card?
You'll need: a valid Swiss ID or residence permit (B or C permit), proof of university enrollment (student ID or enrollment letter), a Swiss bank account, and proof of address. If you have income (part-time job, scholarship, family transfers), bring supporting documents. Some free cards skip the income verification entirely.
Do student credit cards build credit history in Switzerland?
Yes. Switzerland uses ZEK to track credit behavior. A student credit card creates a record showing you manage credit responsibly. Paying on time and in full every month builds a clean history that helps with future applications for loans, mortgages, and premium credit cards. Debit and prepaid cards do not build this history.
