I'm a EU citizen, and spend quite some time in Switzerland. I have a secondary residence in Switzerland (fixed address where I reside while in Switzerland).

I tried getting a VISA/Mastercard and a Maestro card. Unfortunately, everywhere I apply they request for my valid B or C permit, or a guarantee with a Swiss bank of ... 20000 CHF.

I don't fancy parking an amount of 20.000 CHF at no interest just to have a VISA/Mastercard/Maestro for my expenses while I am in Switzerland.

How do others with a secondary residence in Switzerland get their VISA/Mastercard/Maestro? Is there a bank that does not have this 20.000 CHF blocked guarantee to issue a card?

Get a pre-paid visa card. Or just use your non-swiss ATM to get out local currency..

Well, my aim is to get easy banking without pre-financing a bank.

Putting money on a pre-paid visa card = money is blocked in advance until spent, no possibility to contest charges.

Having a normal VISA card = money is available until the bill arrives at the end of the month, and you can contest transactions if need be.

A non swiss ATM or VISA has high charges and commissions.

I don't see why I should pay just to not have a B or C permit, but still spend money in Switzerland ... It looks like the Swiss don't want my money?

Are there any banks that would issue a VISA/ATM/Mastercard without a 20.000 CHF blocked deposit?