How to transfer your portfolio to Switzerland: a practical guide

Moving your portfolio to a new bank can seem complicated. You may have shares, ETFs, bonds, funds, cash and several currencies to consider, but changing banks does not necessarily mean selling your investments first.

With an in-kind securities transfer, eligible investments can be moved directly from one financial institution to another without selling them.

This can be useful if you are moving to Switzerland, looking for a Swiss banking relationship, consolidating your investments or simply changing banks or brokers.

At Swissquote, incoming securities transfers are free of charge, and the process starts with a transfer instruction sent to your existing bank.

TRANSFER IN KIND

Keep your investments

Eligible securities can potentially be transferred directly to Swissquote without selling them first.

NO INCOMING TRANSFER FEE

Transfer securities free of charge

Swissquote does not charge a fee for incoming securities transfers. Your existing bank or broker may still charge outgoing fees.

1–4 WEEKS

Allow time for the transfer

A smooth securities transfer typically takes one to four weeks on average, although this is not guaranteed.

What is an in-kind portfolio transfer?

An in-kind transfer means moving eligible securities from one financial institution to another without selling them.

For example, if you hold shares or ETFs at your current bank, you may be able to transfer those positions directly to your Swissquote account.

You therefore avoid the need to:

1. Sell your investments.
2. Transfer the resulting cash.
3. Buy the investments again.

The exact securities that can be transferred depend on the product, market, custodian and applicable regulations.

The process is straightforward once your Swissquote account is open.

1. Open your Swissquote account

You first need an active Swissquote account capable of receiving your securities.

Account opening can be completed online for eligible clients. Depending on your country of residence, digital or video identification may be required.

2. Make your initial deposit

Your first deposit is part of the account-opening verification process.

For Swiss residents opening an account with Swissquote Bank Ltd, there is currently no minimum initial deposit requirement. For non-residents, minimum amounts can apply depending on the country of residence.

The first deposit must come from a licensed bank and from an account in your own name.

3. Complete the Swissquote Transfer Order Form

Once your account is ready, you can use the Swissquote Transfer Order Form to instruct your existing bank to transfer your securities.

The form is designed to be sent to your current bank or broker together with the relevant transfer instructions.

Download the Swissquote Transfer Order Form

Swissquote's Help Centre confirms that the instruction should request the transfer of securities to your Swissquote IBAN.

4. Your banks process the transfer

Your existing bank initiates the transfer and the relevant custodians and settlement systems process it.

Swissquote receives the securities and credits the eligible positions to your account.

OPEN YOUR ACCOUNT
↓
MAKE YOUR INITIAL DEPOSIT
↓
COMPLETE THE TRANSFER ORDER FORM
↓
SEND IT TO YOUR CURRENT BANK
↓
TRANSFER IS PROCESSED
↓
SECURITIES APPEAR IN YOUR SWISSQUOTE ACCOUNT

The receiving bank does not control every stage of the process, which is why transfer times can vary.

Incoming securities transfers

Swissquote does not charge a fee for incoming securities transfers.

However, your current bank or broker may charge an outgoing transfer fee. Other intermediaries may also apply charges.

Before starting the transfer, check your current provider's pricing schedule.

What about cash transfers?

Cash can also be transferred to your Swissquote account.

You can add money by bank transfer or by Mastercard or VISA debit/credit card, subject to the applicable conditions and fees. Bank transfers into the account are currently free of charge on the Swissquote side, although fees charged by the sending bank or intermediaries may apply.

For a portfolio transfer, bank transfer is generally the relevant way to move cash held with your existing financial institution.

Not necessarily.

A portfolio can contain investments and cash denominated in different currencies. Moving your assets to Switzerland does not automatically mean that everything has to be converted into Swiss francs.

The important distinction is between transferring securities and transferring cash.

Securities are transferred according to the relevant securities-transfer process, while cash is transferred using the appropriate payment instructions.

If you hold several currencies, check with your current institution which balances can be transferred directly and whether any conversion is required.

There is no universal timeframe.

Swissquote states that a smooth securities transfer takes one to four weeks on average, but this period is not guaranteed.

Several factors can affect the timeline:

1. the type of financial product;
2. the stock exchange or market;
3. the banks and custodians involved;
4. the tradability of the security;
5. legal regulations and foreign restrictions;
6. unusual or extraordinary circumstances.

What can affect the transfer time?

Product → Market → Custodian → Bank → Regulations → Settlement

If your securities have not arrived after several weeks, contact both your existing institution and Swissquote to establish where the transfer is being held up.

Yes, you do not necessarily have to transfer your entire portfolio.

You can request the transfer of selected eligible positions while keeping other assets with your existing bank or broker.

You also do not automatically have to close your previous account.

This can be useful if you want to:

• consolidate only part of your investments;
• keep certain products with your existing provider;
• transfer your portfolio gradually;
• move securities while keeping another banking relationship temporarily.

Whether an individual position can be transferred depends on the product and institutions involved.

Your historical purchase price is important for keeping accurate investment records.

When transferring securities to Swissquote, you can provide an official bank statement showing the original purchase price so that the unit cost can be updated.

It is therefore a good idea to download your historical statements and transaction records before starting the transfer.

You should pay particular attention if you have held securities for many years or have previously moved them between financial institutions.

Many conventional securities can potentially be transferred, including eligible shares, bonds and investment funds.

However, transferability is not automatic.

The following may require particular attention:

1. investment funds;
2. structured products;
3. derivatives;
4. leveraged positions;
5. fractional shares;
6. securities subject to specific market restrictions;
7. products that are not available to the receiving client.

The type of product is one of the factors Swissquote identifies as affecting the transfer process and timeframe.

Before submitting your transfer request, review your portfolio and identify any positions that may require separate treatment.

A transfer can coincide with other activity in your existing account, so it is worth checking for:

• pending orders;
• upcoming dividends;
• corporate actions;
• fractional shares;
• savings plans;
• securities lending;
• leveraged or margin positions.

These may not be transferred in the same way as standard securities and may need to be cancelled, completed or handled separately.

The best approach is to ask your current bank or broker how these positions will be treated before submitting the transfer instruction.

You do not necessarily need to be a Swiss resident to hold an account with Swissquote, but eligibility depends on your country of residence and the applicable onboarding requirements.

International transfers can also be more complex than transfers between two institutions in the same country.

1. The relevant factors include:

2. your country of residence;
3. the sending institution;
4. the securities you hold;
5. the custodian and settlement system;
6. local and international regulations;
7. whether the products are available to you after the transfer.

If you are relocating internationally, it is particularly important to check the rules that apply to your individual situation before moving your assets.

Moving securities from one financial institution to another is different from selling your investments and buying them again.

However, you should not assume that every portfolio transfer is automatically tax-free.

The tax implications depend on factors such as:

• your country of residence;
• your tax status;
• the type of securities;
• whether beneficial ownership changes;
• the country you are leaving;
• the country to which you are moving.

If you are relocating to Switzerland or transferring assets internationally, consider obtaining independent professional tax advice before initiating the transfer.

Swissquote can provide information about its processes and documentation, but this should not be confused with individual tax advice.

Moving your portfolio can also be an opportunity to consolidate your financial life.

Swissquote combines banking, investing and trading within one relationship, giving clients access to services such as:

1. a Swiss bank account and IBAN;
2. payments;
3. cards;
4. QR-bill payments;
5. securities custody;
6. investment and trading services;
7. multiple currencies.

Swissquote Bank Ltd is a Swiss bank supervised by FINMA, providing a regulated banking and investment environment.

For investors looking to establish or consolidate a Swiss banking relationship, this means you can manage everyday banking and investments through the same institution.

Don't panic.

Securities transfers can take several weeks, depending on the institutions and products involved. Swissquote states that the timeframe cannot be determined in advance and that one to four weeks is an average timeframe for a smooth transfer.

If your securities have not arrived:

1. Contact your existing bank
Confirm that they have received and processed the transfer instruction.

2. Check whether all required information was provided
Missing or incorrect information can delay processing.

3. Contact Swissquote
If necessary, send a message through your Swissquote e-banking account or contact Customer Care.

Before sending your Transfer Order Form, make sure you have:

1. Your Swissquote account open and active.
2. Your Swissquote IBAN.
3. A complete list of the securities you want to transfer.
4. The relevant security identifiers, such as ISINs.
5. Historical purchase-price information.
6. Your current bank's transfer fees.
7. Information about pending orders and corporate actions.
8. Details of any leveraged or complex positions.
9. Confirmation of any special transfer requirements.

One practical tip

Keep copies of your statements before the transfer.

They can be useful for confirming your historical purchase prices, transactions and other portfolio information after the transfer is completed.

Moving your investments to Switzerland does not necessarily mean selling them first.

With an in-kind transfer, eligible securities can potentially move directly to Swissquote. Incoming securities transfers are free of charge on the Swissquote side, and a dedicated Transfer Order Form makes it easier to instruct your existing bank or broker.

Open your Swissquote account and take the first step towards bringing your investments and banking relationship together.

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