Back in Sweden I have two debit cards, one VISA and one MasterCard. They are definitely not credit cards; whenever I use them the amount is deducted from my accounts immediately and I can not spend more money than is on my account. Here in Switzerland I have a Maestro debit card from UBS.

The thing is that having a VISA/MasterCard debit card is much better when you're abroad because you can use it in pretty much any shop, restaurant or ATM.

So my question is, does anyone know if any of the Swiss banks offer VISA or MasterCard debit cards?

You can also use a Maestro card (mine is from ZKB) in shops, restaurants, hotels and ATMs in all European countries I have been too. Also works fine for me in Norway, so probably is good for Sweden.

A Post Finance card also works in ATMs abroad....

I think the banks don't do it, but the Half Tax card from the SBB is an option of prepaid card.

can you explain pls how this will work with the Half tax card ?

I think my daughter has one from UBS, I'll ask her tonight.

Tom

I had the same in Oz. Very handy because the Visa doubled as a credit card, and it attracted no bank fees when used overseas ATMs.

I do not know of the same card here in CH. Speaking of, I noticed a lack of gimmicks when recently searching for credit cards the other day, compared to back in Oz that is. When it comes to CC I like my gimmicks

It's on the web

http://mct.sbb.ch/mct/en/halbtax-mit-visa-karte

I have a credit card from Postfinance which is debited at the end of each month.

When I came to Switzerland a few years ago, I inquired at the local UBS branch and they did not do anything like it. The only option available, which would have been something I would have done anyway, was to clear the total outstanding amount on the CC at the end of the month.

Hi Daavid,

Just for your information, here in CH, VISA and MCard are CREDIT cards, not debit cards. You have 2 payments possiblities: you have the "direct debit from you bank account", meaning that your account will be automatically charged for the amount you spend with the card, or you can pay through the Post Office; through the Post Office you can pay the whole amount you used during the month or the minimum amount asked from your bank (you will pay fees for the amount left, which be added on your next month statement).

Debit cards are Maestro cards or Normal cards from the Banks. But you need to have a bank account. Every bank has her own debit cards to offer. So you can find all those debit card in Credit Suisse/UBS/Raffeisen/Post Finance/Migros.
All amounts from debit cards are directly charged from your account, so if you don't have enough money on your account, you are not allowed to do the transaction.

Credit cards have a limite (based on salary/finance information-situation/ZEK) and until you don't get over limite, you can use it and use it again and it's not automatically charged on your account (except the fact you ask for a direct debit from your account).
Banks for credit cards are Cornèr Banca/Credit Suisse/UBS/Raffeisen/GE Money Bank/Post Finance/Jelmoli.

Hope those information will help you.
Regards, Elizabeth