Business Account for Self-Employed: Comparison of Swiss Providers

One of the first questions when setting up a sole proprietorship: Do I need a separate business account? It is not legally required — but there are compelling reasons to separate your business money from your personal account. In this article, you will learn why a separate account makes sense, what to look out for when choosing one and how the best-known Swiss providers compare.

01Why a Separate Business Account?

Even though Swiss law does not require a separate business account for sole proprietorships, there are compelling reasons for one. If you are currently setting up a sole proprietorship, you should consider this from the start:

Tax clarity: In a tax audit, you must be able to cleanly separate private and business transactions. With a separate account, this is automatic — without tedious filtering on bank statements
Simpler bookkeeping: Every transaction on the business account is business-related. You do not need to sort out private payments, which massively simplifies the income-expense statement
Professional appearance: Clients prefer transferring to an account in a business name rather than a personal account. This builds trust
QR invoice: For QR invoices, you need a QR-IBAN or QR reference. Many banks only offer this with a business account
Liquidity overview: You can see at any time how much money is in the business — without private expenses distorting the picture

RecommendationEven though it is not mandatory: Separate business and personal finances from the start. This saves you hours of sorting work and makes the tax return significantly easier.

02What to Look for When Choosing

Not every account is equally suited for self-employed persons. These criteria are decisive:

Account management fees: Monthly or annual base fee — with some providers CHF 0, with others over CHF 300 per year
Payment transactions: Costs per transfer (domestic, international), standing orders, direct debit
E-banking / App: Quality of mobile app and e-banking, user-friendliness, multi-user access
QR invoice: Support for QR-IBAN and QR references for invoice sending
TWINT Business: Ability to receive TWINT payments as a business customer
Debit card / Credit card: Included or at extra cost? Maestro, Visa Debit, Mastercard?
Account opening process: Online or at the branch? Duration? Required documents?
Additional services: Bookkeeping interfaces, camt.053 export, business credit card, foreign currencies

03Provider Comparison: Business Accounts in Switzerland

The following overview shows the key features of the best-known business account providers for self-employed persons and sole proprietorships in Switzerland. All details are based on publicly available conditions (as of early 2026) and may vary depending on the account model.

Provider	Base Fee/Month	E-Banking	QR Invoice	TWINT Business	Opening
UBS	from approx. CHF 25	Yes (app + web)	Yes	Yes	Branch / Online
ZKB	from approx. CHF 15	Yes (app + web)	Yes	Yes	Branch / Online
Raiffeisen	from approx. CHF 10	Yes (app + web)	Yes	Yes	Branch
PostFinance	from approx. CHF 15	Yes (app + web)	Yes	Yes	Online / Branch
Neon Business	CHF 0 (basic model)	App only	Yes	Yes	Fully online
Yuh	CHF 0	App only	Limited	No	Fully online

Note on neutralityWe do not recommend any specific provider. The best choice depends on your individual needs — how often you make transfers, whether you need a branch and which additional features are important to you.

04Providers in Detail

UBS

UBS offers various business account models, from simple payment accounts to comprehensive SME packages. For sole proprietorships, the basic account is usually sufficient. Advantages: Large branch network, comprehensive e-banking, broad card offering. Disadvantage: Comparatively higher fees than neobanks.

Zurich Cantonal Bank (ZKB)

ZKB is a popular choice for Zurich-based businesses. It offers a business account with e-banking, QR invoices and TWINT Business. Conditions vary by package. Advantage: Strong regional support, good e-banking solution. Disadvantage: Only comprehensively represented in Canton Zurich.

Raiffeisen

Raiffeisen is the third-largest banking group in Switzerland and particularly strong in rural areas. The business account offers all standard functions at moderate costs. Advantage: Largest branch network in Switzerland, personal advice. Disadvantage: Conditions vary depending on the local Raiffeisen bank.

PostFinance

PostFinance offers a solid business account with strong e-banking and access to PostFinance Checkout for online payments. Advantage: Well-developed e-banking, wide availability, attractive for e-commerce. Disadvantage: Limited in-person advice.

Neon Business

Neon offers a free business account (in the basic model) with a Swiss IBAN, app-based banking and QR invoices. Advantage: No base fee in the basic model, fast online opening, modern app. Disadvantage: No branches, limited feature set compared to major banks.

Yuh

Yuh (joint venture of PostFinance and Swissquote) is primarily designed as a personal account but is used by some self-employed persons as an inexpensive business account. Advantage: Completely free, includes debit card, integrated trading. Disadvantage: No dedicated business account, limited QR invoice functions, no TWINT Business.

05Opening a Business Account: How It Works

Opening a business account for a sole proprietorship is simpler than for a GmbH or AG, as a commercial register entry is not mandatory (below CHF 100'000 annual turnover). A business account also makes it easier to meet your bookkeeping obligations. Here are the steps and documents you need:

Prepare documents

Valid ID (identity card or passport), proof of residence, commercial register extract if applicable (if registered), description of business activity.

Apply for account

Depending on the provider, online (neobanks: in a few minutes) or at the branch (major banks: arrange an appointment). For online opening, a video identification or photo of the ID is usually required.

Complete identification

The Anti-Money Laundering Act (GwG) requires identity verification. In person at the branch, online via video call or PostIdent.

Set up account

Receive IBAN, activate e-banking, order debit card. With some banks it takes 3–5 working days, with neobanks often just a few hours.

Sole proprietorship without commercial register entryIf your annual turnover is below CHF 100'000, commercial register entry is voluntary (OR Art. 934). Some banks still require a commercial register extract or at least a confirmation from the compensation office of your self-employed status when opening an account.

06Tips for Optimal Use

Only business payments through the business account: No private purchases, no Netflix, no groceries. Post private drawings as 'private withdrawal' or 'owner's draw' and transfer to the personal account
Transfer regular private drawings: Instead of spontaneously living off the business account, transfer a fixed monthly amount as a 'quasi salary' to your personal account. This simplifies bookkeeping and liquidity planning
Separate tax reserves: Ideally: A separate savings account for tax, OASI and VAT reserves. This way you can immediately see how much money is actually available to you
Use camt.053 export: Most banks offer the export of account movements in camt.053 format (ISO 20022). This is the standard for electronic bank reconciliation with bookkeeping software
Keep costs in check: Compare annually whether your account model still fits. If you have little payment traffic, a cheaper model or a switch to a neobank may be worthwhile
Consider multiple accounts: For foreign currencies (EUR, USD), a separate currency account is worthwhile — exchange rates and fees vary significantly between providers

Business account + einzly = full controlWith einzly, you record all income and expenses from your business account and always have your bookkeeping under control. You create QR invoices directly from einzly — including your business account IBAN.

07Frequently Asked Questions about Business Accounts

No, there is no legal requirement. You can theoretically use your personal account. In practice, however, a separate account is strongly recommended — for tax clarity, bookkeeping and a professional appearance.

Technically yes, but it quickly becomes confusing. Private and business transactions on a shared account are difficult to separate. In a tax audit, you must be able to explain every transaction — this is significantly easier with a separate account.

Costs vary widely: From CHF 0 (Neon basic model, Yuh) to over CHF 300 per year (major banks with comprehensive packages). In addition, depending on the provider, there may be fees per payment, card fees and costs for additional services.

Yes, this is possible without restriction. Some self-employed persons use one account for payment transactions and a separate savings account at another bank for reserves. Just make sure to include all accounts in the bookkeeping and tax return.

Not necessarily. Sole proprietorships below CHF 100'000 annual turnover do not need to be registered in the commercial register (OR Art. 934). Most banks will also open a business account without a commercial register entry — you then need a confirmation from the compensation office or other documentation of your self-employed status.