Unclaimed Money in Switzerland
Switzerland's approach to dormant assets is distinctive. The Federal Act on Dormant Assets (Bundesgesetz über die Rückerstattung nachrichtenloser Vermögenswerte), which came into force on 1 January 2015, requires Swiss banks, insurance companies, and other financial intermediaries to publish accounts that have been dormant for 60 years on a public online register at dormantaccounts.ch.
This 60-year threshold is among the longest in the world — far longer than Singapore (6 years), Ireland (15 years), or the Netherlands (20 years). However, Switzerland also has a remarkable feature that few countries share: the Swiss National Bank (SNB) exchanges Swiss franc banknotes from the sixth series (issued 1976) and all later series, with no expiry date. Note: banknotes from the first to fifth series have been officially recalled by the SNB and can no longer be exchanged.
What You Can Search For
Dormant Bank Accounts
Accounts at Swiss banks (UBS, Credit Suisse successor, Raiffeisen, Cantonal banks, etc.) dormant for 60 years are published on dormantaccounts.ch. Search by name for free. Contact the bank directly if you find a match.
Old Swiss Franc Banknotes
The Swiss National Bank exchanges Swiss franc banknotes from the sixth series (1976) and all later series with no deadline. Important: banknotes from the first to fifth series have been recalled and cannot be exchanged. Take valid notes to any SNB counter in Bern, Zurich, or Geneva, or send by post. Old coins cannot be exchanged after their deadline.
Insurance & Pension Assets
Matured life insurance policies and occupational pension (BVG/LPP) entitlements are included in the dormant assets regime. The BVG Guarantee Fund (sfbvg.ch) covers claims from wound-up pension funds. Contact your insurer or cantonal insurance supervisor.
WWII & Holocaust-Era Accounts
The dedicated WWII-era dormant accounts resolution — the Claims Resolution Tribunal (CRT) — completed distribution of the US$1.25 billion settlement and concluded its work in 2013. For any remaining queries, contact the Swiss Bankers Association at swissbanking.org. New claims under this process are no longer accepted, but historical information is available.
How to Search and Claim in Switzerland
- Search dormantaccounts.ch. Go to dormantaccounts.ch and search by surname. The register shows accounts published under the Federal Act on Dormant Assets — those dormant for 60+ years. The search is free and available in German, French, Italian, and English.
- Contact the relevant bank. If you find a match, note the bank's name from the register and contact them directly with your identification and any documentation proving your connection to the account (for estates: inheritance documents). The bank coordinates the claim process.
- Exchange old CHF banknotes at the SNB. Take old Swiss franc banknotes to any Swiss National Bank counter (Bern, Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Lausanne, or St. Gallen), or post them to: Schweizerische Nationalbank, Postfach, 3003 Bern. Include a covering letter with your IBAN for the transfer. The exchange is free and there is no time limit.
- Trace occupational pensions. For BVG/LPP occupational pension entitlements from former Swiss employment, contact the BVG Guarantee Fund (Sicherheitsfonds BVG) at sfbvg.ch or call +41 58 280 50 40. They maintain a register of dormant pension entitlements from wound-up funds.
- For estate claims: You will need a Swiss-recognised inheritance document. A Swiss Erbschein (certificate of inheritance) from the relevant cantonal court is most straightforward. Alternatively, a foreign probate document bearing an apostille (under the Hague Apostille Convention) may be accepted, subject to the bank's requirements.
🏦 Credit Suisse note: Credit Suisse was acquired by UBS in March 2023. All Credit Suisse accounts, products, and dormant assets are now managed by UBS. Contact UBS client services if you held a Credit Suisse account and cannot locate your assets.
Also search unclaimed money in