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Table of Contents
To receive money online from abroad, choose between having Swiss francs paid into your bank account and keeping the sender’s currency in a separate balance.
My suggestion is CHF delivery for money you need for Swiss bills, with foreign currency kept only when you have a reason to spend or hold it.
For payments between people already using TWINT, your registered phone number can be enough, while international bank payments need the correct currency-specific account details.
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At a glance
Need Swiss francs: receive CHF into your existing bank account.
Already have euros: a compatible EUR payment can use SEPA, including to Switzerland.
Want to retain GBP or USD: use a matching bank account or multi-currency balance.
Receiving within TWINT: both people need access to the service.
Need cash instead: use a current Western Union agent, checking the location before travelling.
Ways to receive money in Switzerland
Online receipt can mean a bank deposit, a foreign-currency balance or a payment inside an app, and each gives you a different outcome.
These are the choices I suggest considering before you give the sender any details:
Receiving method
Currency outcome
What you need
Transfer company paying your bank
CHF ready for Swiss spending
Your name and bank account details
EUR SEPA transfer
EUR retained or converted by your bank
Eligible account and bank instructions
International bank wire
Currency depends on the receiving account
IBAN, BIC and currency instructions
Foreign-currency bank account
Keep the incoming supported currency
Separate account in that currency
Multi-currency account
Keep or convert supported currencies
Verified account and matching details
TWINT or another app
Balance or account credit within that service
Compatible registered accounts
Cash collection
Cash in the agreed payout currency
Accepted ID and collection reference
I'd say establish first whether conversion happens before the payment reaches Switzerland or inside your receiving account.
Receive Swiss francs into your existing account
The sender can use a transfer company to exchange their money and deliver CHF to the Swiss bank account you already use.
Wise and Western Union are examples supporting Swiss bank delivery, with the available choice depending on where the sender lives and how they pay.
You normally do not need the sender’s transfer app, because the service pays your bank rather than creating an app balance in your name.
Give the sender your account-holder name and IBAN, plus your address or other information requested during the transfer setup.
Ask them to select Switzerland and CHF bank delivery, then confirm the expected amount before they pay in their own currency.
For example, a family member in the UK can pay pounds while you receive Swiss francs for rent and everyday spending.
This avoids having your bank decide the conversion price after the foreign-currency payment arrives, although you should still compare the sender’s complete quote.
Our international money transfer services in Switzerland guide covers companies you can use when arranging your own transfer from an account you hold abroad.
Receive a euro SEPA payment
Switzerland participates in SEPA, so you can receive eligible euro payments from participating accounts without sending the money as an ordinary international wire.
SEPA applies to the euro payment, meaning a CHF transfer from Germany cannot use it simply because both countries participate.
If you have a euro account, share that account’s receiving details when you want to keep the full balance in euros.
If euros arrive in a CHF account, your bank may exchange them before crediting, so check the account’s currency instructions first.
For a SEPA payment, have these details ready for the sender:
Your account-holder name and the receiving account’s IBAN.
Your bank’s BIC if required by the sending bank’s Swiss-payment instructions.
A payment reference identifying the reason for the transfer.
I like this for euros you plan to spend in the eurozone, especially if you already have a suitable EUR account.
Being in SEPA does not mean every Swiss account offers identical incoming charges, so check the receiving tariff alongside the payment type.
Receive directly from an overseas bank
A SWIFT wire can deliver money from an overseas bank when the payer cannot use SEPA or your preferred transfer service.
This often applies to salary, pension or investment proceeds where the paying institution has a fixed process for sending your money.
Ask your Swiss bank for instructions for the actual incoming currency, including any correspondent-bank details it requires for that payment.
The bank sending the wire will generally need the following information:
Your full name and address.
Your IBAN and the receiving bank’s BIC/SWIFT code.
The bank name, address and any required intermediary details.
The currency, payment amount and reference.
I suggest resolving any automatic conversion before requesting a substantial payout, because reversing an unwanted exchange can mean paying for another conversion.
If you need to receive a share-sale payment in GBP and convert only part, arrange an account that can retain GBP before the payer sends it.
A transfer reference identifies the payment, while the IBAN identifies the account, so keep each in the field the bank asks you to complete.
Keep foreign currency with a Swiss bank
A foreign-currency account at a Swiss bank lets you receive supported currencies while keeping the banking relationship and contact point you already have.
PostFinance offers private accounts in GBP and USD, alongside other foreign currencies, as part of its banking packages.
You need a separate account for each currency you want to keep, with EUR accounts available separately from the foreign-currency account range.
Share the receiving instructions for that currency account, then ask whether the payment will arrive by SWIFT and involve any correspondent bank.
PostFinance does not charge an incoming credit fee for payments from abroad, but conversion can apply when the incoming currency differs from the receiving account.
The banking package and later currency exchange still have their own terms, so free receipt should be assessed alongside how you will use the balance.
I like this option for a sizeable foreign-currency payment when you want a bank contact available to discuss documents before arrival.
Compare the exchange price before converting your balance, since retaining the currency only postpones that decision if your eventual spending will be in francs.
Use Wise or Revolut for a foreign-currency balance
A multi-currency account in Switzerland can combine receiving with holding and spending, but local details and international details are not interchangeable.
You carry exchange-rate risk while holding another currency, so I'd say avoid keeping foreign money solely because you hope for a better rate.
Local GBP, EUR and USD receiving details
9.2
Wise
Fees
0.1% - 2.6%
Exchange Rate Markup
0%
Transfer Speed
Minutes - 24 hours
"Over 15 million customers use Wise, mostly for their excellent mobile app, transparent fee structure & use of mid-market rates. Now increasingly used for larger transfers."
"Revolut has 70+ million customers globally. You can hold up to 25+ currencies in the app and send money quickly in 25+ currencies to 140+ countries."
US Disclaimer: Revolut is not a bank. Banking services are provided by Lead Bank, Member FDIC. Fees may apply. See revolut.com/en-US/ for details.
Wise for GBP, EUR and USD receiving details
If you live in Switzerland, you can hold money with Wise and obtain receiving details for supported currencies, including local GBP and EUR details.
USD details can support ACH receipt from a US payer, letting you receive dollars before deciding how much to convert to CHF.
Local GBP and EUR receipts and USD ACH payments are free, while USD domestic wires and USD SWIFT receipts cost US$6.11 per payment.
Wise charges separately for conversion and some onward transfers, so include the cost of moving the money to your Swiss bank if that is your next step.
CHF does not have Wise local receiving details, although supported international CHF payments can be received using the SWIFT instructions shown in your account.
Do not give a payer deposit instructions meant for adding your own money unless they match the receiving details for that payer and payment type.
Revolut for receiving alongside everyday spending
Revolut supports foreign-currency balances and provides Swiss customers with currency-specific instructions for bank transfers into the account.
Its Swiss virtual IBAN supplied through PostFinance is for domestic CHF transfers, with the beneficiary and payment message copied exactly from the app.
For CHF arriving from outside Switzerland, share the International details under your CHF balance, rather than the Swiss domestic instructions.
For euros from Switzerland or the EEA, use the Local details under your EUR balance, following the instructions displayed for your account.
Revolut does not charge for incoming bank transfers, but sending banks and intermediaries can charge, and currency exchange depends on your plan and usage.
Before redirecting a salary, I suggest checking these details, because the payer must be able to follow the beneficiary and reference requirements correctly.
A Swiss IBAN does not establish Swiss deposit protection
A payment account’s receiving details and the protection applying to your balance are separate questions, even when the instructions include a Swiss IBAN.
Wise safeguards customer money as a payment company, and you should check your Revolut account’s contracting entity before assuming it is a Swiss bank deposit.
Receive a payment through TWINT or PayPal
TWINT is the straightforward option for someone paying you within its network, using the mobile number linked to your TWINT app.
You can receive from another TWINT user while abroad, but that does not turn an unrelated overseas bank or wallet into a TWINT sender.
Eligibility for foreign phone numbers or residence depends on the organisation issuing your TWINT app, so use its registration rules when setting up an account.
TWINT Prepaid has its own receiving limits, including CHF1,000 monthly and CHF5,000 yearly for transfers between users when you live in Switzerland.
Bank-issued TWINT apps can have different limits, so check the app you use before treating those Prepaid figures as a universal rule.
PayPal can also receive a personal payment using your registered email address, with eligible funds then withdrawn to your linked bank account.
Receiving is free when no currency conversion is involved, while conversion and commercial payments can introduce costs that a CHF bank deposit avoids.
If you both already use Revolut or Wise, an internal payment is another option, requiring the receiving account with that service.
Our money transfer apps in Switzerland guide covers the broader choice of apps for arranging payments and receiving through supported accounts.
Collect cash when online receipt is unsuitable
Western Union offers cash collection in Switzerland when you need money without a usable bank account or cannot access your account.
The sender selects cash collection, and you take the MTCN tracking number and accepted identification to an eligible agent once the payment is ready.
Keep the sender’s full name, sending country and expected amount available, with your name matching the transfer record and identity document.
Swiss Post stopped offering Western Union at its locations on 1 January 2026, so use the current agent finder before travelling.
My suggestion is to confirm opening hours and available cash, especially if the payment is urgent or you need a substantial amount.
The sender’s origin and payment method affect the permitted amount, so check the specific transfer rather than relying on a general Swiss receiving limit.
What does it cost to receive money online?
The full cost can include a sending fee, currency conversion and deductions by the banks involved before the money becomes available to you.
For example, PostFinance charges no incoming credit fee from abroad, but foreign-currency conversion can still reduce the francs credited to a CHF account.
A 2% difference in the conversion rate would cost CHF10 on CHF500 worth of foreign currency, even with no separate receiving fee.
Here are transfer options using rounded source amounts roughly worth CHF500 before fees, with the sending amount shown beside the Swiss-franc receipt.
Last updated at 16.10.2026
EUR CHF
Mid Market Rate€1 = CHF 0.9283
Transfer Amount€550
1
Revolut
2
Currencies Direct
3
OFX
Transfer amount
They get (after fees)
Transfer fees
FX Rate
Markup
Delivery time
€550.00
CHF 507.97
€0.50
0.9244
0.43%
Within minutes
€550.00
CHF 507.93
€0.00
0.9235
0.52%
Minutes - 24 hours
€550.00
CHF 507.27
€0.00
0.9223
0.65%
Minutes - 24 hours
GBP CHF
Mid Market Rate£ 1 = CHF 1.0996
Transfer Amount£ 450
1
Revolut
2
Currencies Direct
3
Wise
Transfer amount
They get (after fees)
Transfer fees
FX Rate
Markup
Delivery time
£ 450.00
CHF 492.49
£ 1.00
1.0969
0.25%
Within minutes
£ 450.00
CHF 492.16
£ 0.00
1.0937
0.54%
Minutes - 24 hours
£ 450.00
CHF 491.99
£ 2.58
1.0996
0.00%
Within minutes
USD CHF
Mid Market Rate$ 1 = CHF 0.827
Transfer Amount$ 600
1
Revolut
2
Currencies Direct
3
OFX
Transfer amount
They get (after fees)
Transfer fees
FX Rate
Markup
Delivery time
$ 600.00
CHF 494.42
$ 0.90
0.8253
0.20%
Within minutes
$ 600.00
CHF 493.74
$ 0.00
0.8229
0.49%
Minutes - 24 hours
$ 600.00
CHF 492.95
$ 0.00
0.8216
0.65%
Minutes - 24 hours
The figures compare transfer quotes, so match the quoted receiving method to your account and check whether it charges separately for the incoming payment.
For a SWIFT wire, the sender’s available sharing options can allocate charges to them, to you or between both parties.
OUR generally puts the charges with the sender, SHA splits responsibility and BEN takes charges from the amount sent to you.
If you receive into a foreign-currency balance and later convert or withdraw, include those later costs before deciding that arrangement is cheaper overall.
For larger conversion amounts, a broker such as Currencies Direct can organise payment into Switzerland, subject to eligibility in the country funding the transfer.
I suggest comparing the final CHF amount and available support for that payment, rather than choosing solely because a service advertises no transfer fee.
How long does receipt take?
The service handling conversion and the payment system used for the final deposit both affect when the money reaches your account.
Payment
Timing to allow for
Eligible EUR SEPA payment
Normally around one banking business day
Transfer company paying CHF
Use the estimate for the sender’s funding and receiving method
International SWIFT wire
Often several working days
Compatible Swiss instant payment
Seconds, once sent through the supported payment system
Cash collection
Can be minutes, followed by the agent’s opening hours
Payment inside an app
Often immediate, subject to account checks
A Swiss bank accepting domestic instant payments does not make a foreign-currency wire instant, because the international part may use another system.
For a payment you need by a deadline, ask when the sender’s funding must clear and whether document checks are still outstanding.
Limits, large receipts and documents
Each service and account can set its own payment limits, with cash and app receipt often more restricted than a bank transfer.
Your Swiss bank may ask for the payment’s purpose and source of funds, so arrange supporting documents before a substantial receipt.
Use documents that explain the particular payment you are receiving:
Statements showing your savings and the account sending them.
Employment, pension or investment payout records.
Property-sale documents or an inheritance settlement.
Gift documentation identifying the person giving you the money.
For a large GBP or USD receipt, confirm both acceptance of that currency and whether your bank needs documents before crediting the account.
I'd say contact the bank handling the incoming payment, even if the conversion company has already approved the sender and their funds.
A service’s payment limit does not tell you whether tax is due, and bank checks can apply independently of tax filing obligations.
Do foreign receipts create a Swiss tax bill?
Moving money between accounts you already own does not itself create new income, but the underlying earnings and assets can still require declaration.
Salary, pensions and investment income have their own tax treatment, including any applicable treaty rules, irrespective of where the payment account is located.
Your tax return can also need account balances and assets, so receiving a non-income payment does not necessarily remove every reporting obligation.
Gift and inheritance taxation depends on the relevant canton and circumstances, with the relationship between the people involved affecting exemptions and rates.
There is no single Swiss gift-tax allowance that makes every foreign receipt below that figure exempt from tax or reporting.
For a sizeable family gift or inheritance from abroad, establish which authority has jurisdiction and what must be declared before assuming foreign treatment settles the position.
How to arrange an incoming payment to Switzerland
Use the receiving currency to guide the setup, then check the bank instructions before the sender commits to the payment.
Decide whether you need francs now
Choose CHF delivery for Swiss spending, or a supported foreign-currency account when you want to retain some or all of the original currency.
Obtain the correct payment instructions
Copy the account details for the currency and payment system, including any required beneficiary wording or reference for a virtual account.
Compare the amount you can use
Check the transfer quote, your receiving account’s charges and any later conversion needed before you can pay your bills.
Keep the transfer trail
Retain the receipt and source documents, then check your balance and complete any declaration required for the underlying income, assets or gift.
What if the money has not arrived?
Start with the sender’s confirmation and expected delivery date, checking the currency and beneficiary details against your account’s current instructions.
If funding or verification is outstanding, the sender should resolve that with the sending service before your bank can locate a payment.
For a Revolut domestic CHF transfer, check the beneficiary and required message, since an omitted reference can prevent the payment reaching the right balance.
For a SWIFT payment, ask the sender to obtain the payment confirmation and have their bank trace it using the available tracking reference.
If delivery is confirmed, your receiving bank can investigate a held or unallocated payment using the amount, currency, date and reference.
If your CHF receipt is smaller than expected
Check whether the original payment arrived in a different currency, then identify the exchange rate and any bank or intermediary charges applied.
If an unwanted conversion occurred, obtain the cost of correcting it before moving the balance again and paying for another exchange.
For your next receipt in Switzerland, compare the sender’s transfer rates before choosing the receiving currency and account.
Compare transfers to Switzerland
Enter the sender’s country and amount, then choose Switzerland as the destination to compare available transfer rates and fees.
Our methodology & why trust us
We assessed Swiss-franc delivery, euro SEPA receipt and accounts that retain foreign currency, alongside app payments and cash collection available in Switzerland.
Our checks use Swiss bank instructions, current account terms, TWINT documentation and official information on tax and payment systems.
The inbound comparison uses rounded sending amounts near CHF500, with account charges and later conversion considered separately from transfer quotes.
I prioritised choosing the receiving currency before the service, including the differences between domestic Swiss details and instructions for payments from abroad.
Our money transfer review process explains how we assess the costs and services available across MoneyTransfers.com.
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