Hi,

I've had a bank account for 3 months in Switzerland as I only moved here then, I was told I'd have to have my salary entering it for a few months before even getting an ATM card. Its potentially unsafe as I've to carry wads of cash around sometimes but I can live with that for now. Anyway, what I really need is a credit card as I need it to hire cars occasionally. With the exception of National Car Hire, nobody takes Visa Debit cards. (Even then, if what I've read is true, some companies do a credit check to see if there are any flags (if you pay debit card) and the very process of checking it goes against your credit score.)

I've never had a credit card before, so I can't get a reference, is there any bank that is flexible to new residents with regard to issuing credit cards. I honestly don't want the credit available at all, would use it like a debit card anyway. I've a B permit and am an EU citizen if that helps at all.

Thank you in advance for your suggestions.

Hi there, we moved over here a month ago and one of the first things we did was to open a joint account. We were able to apply for a debit card and credit card each immediately (actually we ended up with two credit cards each bizarrely!). We got the cards about 2 weeks after in the post.

I would check again with your bank, we too are also here on a B Permit and EU citizens

I got non-chargeable UBS credit card for one year within 1 month I opened my salary account. May be you can ask your bank if they can give you also.

The Coop shop works with Credit Suisse and issues Visa and Mastercard without any fees! Ask them, I am sure there is no waiting limit.

I applied for a Migros CC after 1 month here and was approved.
Only CHF 1k limit for the time being but I guess that's ok considering just being here for 1 month.