As soon as you become self-employed or set up a company, one question comes up: do I need my own business bank account - and if so, with which bank? The answer depends on your legal form. For a GmbH, a special account is even mandatory for the incorporation.
This article shows you when you need a business bank account, which documents are required, what it costs and what to watch out for with the capital deposit account for a GmbH. Last updated: 2026.
When you need a business bank account
Whether a business bank account is mandatory depends on the legal form:
Sole proprietorship
Legally, you may use your private account. In practice, a separate business account almost always pays off: it separates personal from business matters, simplifies bookkeeping and makes your tax return easy to follow. Many banks offer affordable accounts for sole proprietorships.
GmbH and AG
Corporations are a separate legal entity and absolutely need their own account. For the incorporation, a capital deposit account is also required (see next section). Mixing company funds with private assets here is not only impractical but legally problematic.
Even as a sole proprietorship, the rule applies: keep things separate from day one. A separate account costs little but saves hours in bookkeeping and protects you from awkward explanations during a tax audit.
The capital deposit account for a GmbH
Anyone founding a GmbH (share capital CHF 20,000) or an AG (share capital CHF 100,000, at least CHF 50,000 paid in) must pay the capital into a capital deposit account (blocked account) before the notary appointment - a special blocked account.
Open the blocked account
You open a capital deposit account at a bank in the name of the "GmbH in formation". For this you need the articles of association and details of the shareholders.
Pay in the capital
You transfer the share capital to the blocked account. The money is blocked until the entry in the Commercial Register.
Confirmation for the notary
The bank issues a capital deposit confirmation. The notary needs this for the public deed of incorporation.
Conversion into a business account
After the entry in the Commercial Register, the blocked account is released and converted into a normal business account. The capital is now available to the company.
📥 Free Switzerland Checklist
The 10 most important steps for the self-employed & newcomers in Switzerland – free PDF.
📘 Relevant to this article
The complete founding guide
From the business bank account through to choosing your legal form and registering with the OASI (AHV): our founding guide walks you step by step through setting up a company in Switzerland - with checklists and a financial-plan tool.
Providers: traditional bank or digital service?
When choosing a provider, two worlds face off:
Traditional banks
Cantonal banks, big banks, Raiffeisen and PostFinance offer established business accounts with a branch network, personal advice and the option to obtain loans and the capital deposit account from a single source. In return, they tend to be more expensive and opening an account takes longer.
Digital providers and neobanks
Digital providers score with fast online account opening, low or no basic fees and good conditions for foreign currencies. In exchange, you forgo in-branch advice, and not every digital provider issues capital deposit confirmations for GmbH incorporations.
If you are founding a GmbH, check in advance whether your preferred provider offers a capital deposit account (blocked account) and issues the confirmation quickly. Not all digital services do - that can delay your incorporation timeline.
Costs at a glance
Account management
Depending on the provider and the scope of services. Digital providers are often cheaper, traditional banks offer more service. Watch out for hidden fees on payments, cards and foreign currencies.
Capital deposit confirmation (GmbH/AG)
Applies only when founding a corporation. Some banks waive the fee if you stay a customer afterwards.
Transactions & cards
Receiving QR invoices is usually free, outgoing payments depend on your package. A business debit or credit card often costs extra. Foreign-currency payments have their own tariffs.
Opening an account: the process
Opening an account usually works like this:
- Compare providers: basic fee, payment and foreign-currency conditions, and whether a capital deposit account is offered.
- Get your documents ready: ID, proof of residence, details of the beneficial owner; depending on the legal form, a Commercial Register extract or incorporation documents and the UID/VAT number.
- Submit the application: online or at a branch. For a GmbH, first the capital deposit account, then the conversion later on.
- Verify your identity: by video ident or at a branch.
- Activation: with digital providers often within days, with traditional banks it can take 1-2 weeks.
Common mistakes
- Mixing private and business: the most common and most expensive mistake - it turns bookkeeping into a nightmare.
- Choosing a provider without a capital deposit account: a showstopper for GmbH incorporations.
- Looking only at the basic fee: transaction and foreign-currency fees often make up the larger share.
- Starting too late: opening an account takes time - plan it early into your incorporation timeline.
📘 Get started right away
Founding Guide Switzerland - CHF 59
The complete package for setting up your company: a step-by-step guide, business-plan template, financial-plan tool and checklists - including an account and authority roadmap for Switzerland 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Does a sole proprietorship need a business bank account?
Not by law, but strongly recommended. A separate account separates personal and business matters and considerably simplifies bookkeeping and your tax return.
What is a capital deposit account (blocked account)?
A blocked account for the share capital when founding a GmbH or AG. The bank issues the capital deposit confirmation for the notary; after the entry in the Commercial Register it becomes a normal business account.
What does a business bank account cost?
Account management is usually CHF 0-30 per month, plus around CHF 200-400 one-off for the capital deposit confirmation for a GmbH/AG. On top of that come fees for cards, payments and foreign currencies.
Which documents do I need?
ID, proof of residence, details of the beneficial owner and - depending on the legal form - a Commercial Register extract or incorporation documents and the UID/VAT number.
Sources
- Federal SME Portal (incorporation): kmu.admin.ch - Setting up an SME
- Code of Obligations (GmbH capital, Art. 773): Fedlex - CO
- Central Business Name Index (Zefix): zefix.ch