UBS: Swiss universal bank account
Marcus Altenburg, Published
UBS is a universal bank based in Zurich, founded in 1862. It works with international clients, so a non-resident can open an account here when the source-of-funds file is clean. As a universal bank, it typically expects from around CHF 50,000 to CHF 100,000 or more for a non-resident — as of July 2026, and not a published per-bank figure.
About UBS
Wealth management, asset management and investment banking for private, corporate and institutional clients worldwide.
| Type | Universal bank |
|---|---|
| Head office | Zurich |
| Founded | 1862 |
| Legal name | UBS Group AG |
| Assets | around USD 6.99 trillion invested assets (as of 2025) |
| Employees | around 105,236 (2025) |
| Capital ratio | 14.3% CET1 (2024) |
| Listed | SIX: UBSG / NYSE: UBS |
| Service languages | English, German, French, Italian |
| Regulator | FINMA (Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority) |
| Non-residents | Accepts international clients |
- Switzerland's largest bank and a global systemically important bank.
- Acquired Credit Suisse in 2023.
What UBS offers
- Global wealth management
- Personal and corporate banking
- Asset management
- Investment bank
Can a non-resident open an account at UBS?
Yes. UBS 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 UBS
- 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 four weeks once the file is complete.
Requirements: resident vs non-resident
| Requirement | Swiss resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Typical minimum | CHF 0 – 25,000 | CHF 50,000 – 100,000+ |
| Identification | Online or a branch visit | In-person at a Swiss branch |
| Indicative timeline | one to three weeks | two to four 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 UBS, 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. UBS is supervised by FINMA, and reports a capital ratio of 14.3% CET1 (2024).
Is UBS a fit for a non-resident?
As a universal bank, UBS can cover everyday banking, financing and wealth services in one place. For a non-resident it tends to suit those with a business or corporate dimension, not only a personal account.
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 UBS with 35 other Swiss banks.
Official website: UBS.
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Frequently asked questions.
01Can a non-resident open an account at UBS?
Yes. UBS is a universal 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 UBS?
UBS is a universal bank, founded in 1862, based in Zurich. Switzerland's largest bank and a global systemically important bank.
03What is the minimum to bank with UBS?
There is no published per-bank minimum. As a universal bank, UBS typically expects from around CHF 50,000 to CHF 100,000 or more for a non-resident. 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 UBS?
Typically one to three weeks for a Swiss resident and two to four 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 UBS account remotely, without visiting Switzerland?
Usually not entirely. UBS 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 UBS 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. UBS is supervised by FINMA.
07Does UBS serve clients in English?
Yes. UBS runs an English-language service alongside German, French, Italian, so a non-resident can be onboarded and advised in English.
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