Switzerland’s national mobile wallet for P2P transfers, shops, parking, public transport tickets and online checkout — close to the default non-cash option in the country.
!Not a bank. TWINT operates as a Swiss payment service and prepaid wallet within the FINMA framework; wallet balances are e-money / stored value, NOT deposits, and are outside deposit-insurance protection. Funds are safeguarded in segregated / trust accounts under the applicable rules, not covered by any deposit guarantee scheme.
You need a Swiss mobile number plus a Swiss bank account or card; some versions offer a prepaid in-app account. Short-stay visitors without a Swiss bank account essentially cannot register.
No fixed minimum for the prepaid version; CHF 20 is a typical starting top-up｜Free for consumer transfers and payments; the prepaid account may carry a monthly fee or top-up charge depending on the version.
Prepaid balances are capped under Swiss AML rules (typically a few thousand CHF); the bank-linked version follows your issuer’s caps. Check the app. Balances are not deposits and are not deposit-insured.
You need a Swiss mobile number plus a Swiss bank account or card; some versions offer a prepaid in-app account. Short-stay visitors without a Swiss bank account essentially cannot register.
Local bank account: Usually required — a Swiss bank account or a Swiss-issued card. Items typically needed: A Swiss mobile number; A Swiss bank account or Swiss-issued card; A smartphone; the prepaid version can be bought at selected outlets.
Typically: A Swiss mobile number; A Swiss bank account or Swiss-issued card; A smartphone; the prepaid version can be bought at selected outlets.
How to sign up: Fully online via app plus a Swiss number and account/card, or buy the prepaid version offline (About 5–10 minutes with a Swiss account). Steps: 1) Open a Swiss bank account (non-resident onboarding is strict, requiring residence and address proof) 2) Download TWINT and register with your Swiss number 3) Link your Swiss bank account or card 4) Complete SMS verification 5) Set a PIN and you are ready to pay and transfer Fees: Free for consumer transfers and payments; the prepaid account may carry a monthly fee or top-up charge depending on the version.
Prepaid balances are capped under Swiss AML rules (typically a few thousand CHF); the bank-linked version follows your issuer’s caps. Check the app. Balances are not deposits and are not deposit-insured.
E-wallet rules change often — always follow the latest instructions in the official app.