SWIFT / BIC Codes in Switzerland

SWIFT/BIC codes for Switzerland consist of 8 or 11 alphanumeric characters under ISO 9362. Characters 5 and 6 are 'CH', the ISO 3166-1 country code for Switzerland.

Our directory contains 1,666 SWIFT/BIC codes registered across 747 banks and 577 municipalities in Switzerland.

Domestic transfers in Switzerland clear via BC-ID under Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) / SIX oversight (primary currency: CHF). international multi-currency settlements and SWIFT messages

SWIFT codes identify the beneficiary bank institution, while IBANs (ISO 13616) or account numbers identify the specific account holder. For cross-border wires, both the receiving bank's BIC and customer account number are generally required.

Cross-border transfers to Switzerland typically process within 1 to 5 business days, depending on correspondent banking links, time zone cut-offs, and compliance checks.

An 8-character BIC specifies an institution's primary head office in Switzerland. An 11-character BIC appends a 3-character branch suffix to target a specific branch location or department.

Using an incorrect code can delay execution, cause transaction returns, or incur administrative bounce fees from intermediary institutions. Verify all routing details with your beneficiary beforehand.

SWIFT/BIC codes are assigned and registered internationally by SWIFT as the ISO 9362 Registration Authority, not directly issued by central bank authorities unless integrated into national clearing directories.

You can look up the bank name and location in our Switzerland directory, and confirm the exact code directly with the receiving beneficiary or branch documentation.

Data for Switzerland combines official SIX Interbank Clearing BC-ID registry entries with open community records.