Hi all,

How easy is it to get a credit card from your bank?

When I opened my German account, they gave me one straight away. Do CH banks do the same? Or do I have to have a longer term credit history here?

usually depends on your passport and your relationship with your bank!

and if you can prove that you don't actually need the credit then of course you can have it! (c,

some banks require that (initially at least) you place a deposit with them to cover the risk 2k,5k,10kCHF of you absconding. these 'rules' are more strictly enforced with less attractive passports: e.g. eastern EU'ers, former Yugoslavia etc

as for a credit check: EACH canton has its own Cantonal office for chasing debts. you can get an extract for your own entry for 20CHF when you present yourself and permit to them. it usually covers you for 3-6 months. if you have recently moved canton then you will probably have to go to the previous canton to get one from there too.

It should be easy for a simple reason. They make a lot of money from credit cards. Why do you think you can get a credit card with your half tax from the SBB.

I will qualify this statement by saying if you pay off your full balance every month, a credit card can be useful.

If you do not pay off your full balance every month, you are killing yourself financially.

Will be interesting to see when I open the account.

Obviously I can use the German one if needs be, but I'd much prefer to get a local one.

Thanks for the info.

When i opened my bank account here in switz,i was asked at the time of opening it, if i wanted a credit card as was my Son....to his delight i dont think you should have any problem.....