Switzerland IBAN
A Switzerland IBAN is 21 characters long and Switzerland is in SEPA.
CH and two check digits open every Switzerland IBAN; its remaining 17 form the BBAN (Basic Bank Account Number).
Example Switzerland IBAN
Electronic format
CH9300762011623852957
Print format
CH93 0076 2011 6238 5295 7
IBAN structure for Switzerland
Major banks in Switzerland
5 banks in Switzerland that support IBAN-based international transfers:
Format reference: SWIFT IBAN Registry.
Switzerland IBAN questions
What is the IBAN format for Switzerland?
A Swiss IBAN is exactly 21 characters long. It starts with CH, 2 check digits, a 5-digit bank clearing number, and a 12-digit account number. Example: CH93 0076 2011 6238 5295 7.
How do I find my IBAN in Switzerland?
Your CH IBAN is displayed in your bank's e-banking or mobile app. UBS, Credit Suisse (now part of UBS), Raiffeisen Switzerland, PostFinance, and the cantonal banks (Kantonalbanken) all show the 21-character IBAN on the account overview. It also appears on bank statements and QR-bills.
Is Switzerland part of SEPA?
Partially. Switzerland is not an EU member but participates in SEPA for euro-denominated transfers. EUR SEPA payments to a Swiss IBAN generally benefit from SEPA pricing. However, CHF transfers are processed through the Swiss SIC (Swiss Interbank Clearing) system and are not part of SEPA. For incoming CHF from abroad, SWIFT is used.
What is the difference between SEPA EUR and SWIFT CHF transfers to Switzerland?
EUR transfers from SEPA countries to your Swiss IBAN are routed through the SEPA network at low cost. CHF transfers from abroad go through SWIFT and may incur higher correspondent banking fees. Always confirm with the sender whether they are sending EUR (cheaper via SEPA) or CHF (routed via SWIFT).
Do I need a BIC code for transfers to Switzerland?
For SEPA EUR transfers from EU/EEA countries, only the CH IBAN is typically sufficient. For CHF transfers from abroad or any non-SEPA transfer, the sender needs both the IBAN and your bank's SWIFT/BIC code. UBS's SWIFT code is UBSWCHZH80A; Raiffeisen Switzerland's is RAIFCH22; PostFinance's is POFICHBEXXX.
What are QR-bills and how do they use the Swiss IBAN?
Swiss QR-bills replaced the old payment slips (Einzahlungsschein) and embed the creditor's IBAN directly in the QR code. When you scan a QR-bill with your banking app, the IBAN and payment details are populated automatically. For receiving payments, your IBAN appears on your QR-bills.
What are common mistakes when sharing a Swiss IBAN?
Common mistakes include: confusing the 5-digit clearing number with the SWIFT code, providing the old postal account number (Postkonto) instead of the IBAN, and sending EUR to a CHF account or vice versa (which triggers conversion). Always specify the currency and verify the 21-character IBAN before sharing.
How IBAN is used in Switzerland
Switzerland uses a 21-character IBAN and occupies a unique position in the European payments landscape. While Switzerland is not an EU member, it participates in SEPA for euro-denominated transfers, though domestic CHF payments run through the Swiss SIC (Swiss Interbank Clearing) system managed by SIX Group rather than SEPA. This dual setup means your Swiss IBAN works for both CHF domestic payments and incoming euro transfers from the SEPA zone. Switzerland's banking sector is globally significant, with UBS and other institutions managing trillions in assets.
- A Swiss IBAN starts with CH, two check digits, a five-digit bank clearing number (BC-Nummer), and a twelve-digit account number. Example: CH93 0076 2011 6238 5295 7, where 00762 is the clearing number for Credit Suisse. Major clearing ranges: UBS (00200-00299), Credit Suisse/UBS merged (00400-00499), PostFinance (09000), Raiffeisen (80000-89999), cantonal banks (various).
- For receiving euro from EU/EEA countries, your Swiss IBAN is accepted within the SEPA network, and these transfers benefit from SEPA pricing (typically €0-1 fee). However, for CHF transfers from abroad, the payment is routed through SWIFT and may incur correspondent banking fees of CHF 10-30. Always confirm with the sender whether they are sending in EUR or CHF — this determines the routing and fees.
- Swiss QR-bills (QR-Rechnung), which fully replaced the old ESR/BVR payment slips in October 2022, embed the creditor's IBAN directly in the QR code. Your banking app reads the QR code and populates the IBAN automatically. For business payments, the QR-IBAN (starting with CH followed by a special QR-IID) is used — this is different from your regular IBAN.
- Switzerland has 24 cantonal banks (Kantonalbanken), one for each canton, plus UBS, Raiffeisen, and PostFinance as national players. Each cantonal bank has a state guarantee (Staatsgarantie) in most cantons. If you're opening a Swiss account, the cantonal bank of your residence canton often offers the best conditions for everyday banking.
- Finding your IBAN: check your bank's e-banking portal (UBS: ubs.com, PostFinance: postfinance.ch, Raiffeisen: raiffeisen.ch), your Kontoauszug, or the IBAN calculator on SIX Group's website. Your IBAN is also embedded in the QR code on any QR-bill you receive. For Liechtenstein (LI IBAN), the same 21-character format applies but with the LI prefix.
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Spain
Austria
Romania