EFG International: Swiss private bank account
Marcus Altenburg, Published
EFG International is a private bank based in Zurich, founded in 1995. It works with international clients, so a non-resident can open an account here when the source-of-funds file is clean. As a private bank, it typically expects a private-banking relationship, commonly from CHF 500,000 upward — as of July 2026, and not a published per-bank figure.
About EFG International
Global private banking and asset management group serving private clients across around 40 locations worldwide.
| Type | Private bank |
|---|---|
| Head office | Zurich |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Legal name | EFG International AG |
| Assets | CHF 185.0 billion (as of full-year 2025 results) |
| Employees | around 3,225 (2025) |
| Part of | EFG International (parent of EFG Bank AG) |
| Listed | SIX: EFGN |
| Service languages | English, German, French |
| Regulator | FINMA (Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority) |
| Non-residents | Accepts international clients |
- Listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (EFGN) since 2005.
- Global private banking group operating in around 40 locations.
What EFG International offers
- Private banking and wealth management
- Investment advisory and discretionary management
- Asset management
Can a non-resident open an account at EFG International?
Yes. EFG International assesses each non-resident applicant on source of wealth, source of funds and risk profile, and runs an English-language service for international clients. The decisive factor is a documented source of funds, not nationality. Assemble the evidence (tax returns, sale or employment records, a clear paper trail) before you approach the bank.
How to open an account at EFG International
- Confirm your profile and the account type. Agree the type of relationship — personal, private-banking or corporate — and the likely minimum with a relationship manager.
- Assemble the documents. A valid passport, proof of address dated within three months, and evidence of the source of your funds and wealth (full checklist below).
- Verify your identity. Residents can usually start online or in a branch; a non-resident normally attends one in-person meeting at a Swiss office.
- Compliance review, then go-live. The bank runs its onboarding, AML and source-of-funds checks, then opens the account and issues access. Expect two to six weeks once the file is complete.
Requirements: resident vs non-resident
| Requirement | Swiss resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Typical minimum | CHF 250,000 – 500,000 | CHF 500,000+ |
| Identification | One meeting or a relationship manager | Usually one in-person meeting at the Swiss office |
| Indicative timeline | one to three weeks | two to six weeks |
| Remote opening | Sometimes | Rarely — usually one Swiss visit |
Documents you will need
- a valid passport or national identity card;
- proof of residential address dated within the last three months (utility bill, bank statement or official letter);
- evidence of the source of funds and source of wealth (tax returns, employment or sale contracts, business records, inheritance documents);
- a FATCA/CRS self-certification, plus beneficial-ownership declarations where a company or structure holds the account.
How your money is protected
Deposits at EFG International, as at every Swiss bank, are covered by the Swiss depositor-protection scheme (esisuisse) up to CHF 100,000 per client, per bank. Securities held in custody remain the client's property and are segregated from the bank's own balance sheet, so they are returned in full even if the bank fails. EFG International is supervised by FINMA.
Is EFG International a fit for a non-resident?
As a private bank, EFG International is built for substantial, advised relationships rather than a simple transactional account. It suits a non-resident with investable assets who wants wealth management alongside banking and can meet a private-banking entry level.
If you would rather have this handled than explained, we prepare the source-of-funds file and introduce you to a suitable bank, and we can incorporate the company an account often sits behind. You can also compare EFG International with 35 other Swiss banks.
Official website: EFG International.
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Frequently asked questions.
01Can a non-resident open an account at EFG International?
Yes. EFG International is a private bank in Zurich that works with international clients. As with any Swiss bank, approval turns on a documented source of funds and the bank's own onboarding checks, not on nationality alone.
02What kind of bank is EFG International?
EFG International is a private bank, part of EFG International (parent of EFG Bank AG), founded in 1995, based in Zurich. Listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (EFGN) since 2005.
03What is the minimum to bank with EFG International?
There is no published per-bank minimum. As a private bank, EFG International typically expects a private-banking relationship, commonly from CHF 500,000 upward. The realistic entry point depends on the relationship rather than a fixed rule (as of July 2026).
04How long does it take to open an account at EFG International?
Typically one to three weeks for a Swiss resident and two to six weeks for a non-resident, measured from a complete file. The compliance and source-of-funds checks are the main variable, not the paperwork itself.
05Can I open a EFG International account remotely, without visiting Switzerland?
Usually not entirely. EFG International normally expects a non-resident to attend one in-person meeting at its Swiss office; the rest of the process runs remotely.
06How are deposits at EFG International protected?
Cash deposits are covered by the Swiss depositor-protection scheme (esisuisse) up to CHF 100,000 per client, per bank. Securities held in custody are your property and are segregated from the bank's own balance sheet, so they are returned in full even in an insolvency. EFG International is supervised by FINMA.
07Does EFG International serve clients in English?
Yes. EFG International runs an English-language service alongside German, French, so a non-resident can be onboarded and advised in English.
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