NEON Bank experience 2026

Last updated: October 2026

We tested Neon Bank and the Neon app for you, gathered our experiences and wrote a Neon review for you. Of course, we give you all the necessary tips and a voucher code. We show you the advantages and disadvantages and go into detail about how Twint is supported.

Our Neon Bank experience can certainly help you decide whether Neon suits you and whether you should use it as a salary account, for example.

📊 Neon: Key facts at a glance

Behind Neon	Mortgage Bank Lenzburg, regulated by FINMA
Deposit protection	Up to CHF 100,000
Account management	Free of charge (Free-Plan)
Map	Mastercard: a one-off fee of CHF 20 for Free and Plus; included with Global and Metal
Abroad	0.35% Exchange rate surcharge on card payments (Free), low-cost bank transfers via Wise
Cash withdrawal CH	CHF 2.50 at cash machines, free at the checkout at Coop and Lidl
TWINT	Prepaid TWINT only, no UBS TWINT
Invest	✅ Neon Invest, ETFs and Swiss shares 0.5%, international shares 1.0%. Selected ETFs in the savings plan with no purchase fee
Also there	✅ Pillar 3a, Neon Duo partner account (CHF 3 per month per person), youth account for those aged 15 and over
Plans	Free - Plus CHF 20/year - Global CHF 80/year - Metal CHF 150/year
Promo code	TRADE, CHF 100 trading credit for your first 3 trades
Who is it suitable for?	Anyone looking for an affordable, modern Swiss bank account

💡 Schwiizerfranke assessment: Neon is one of the most affordable Swiss accounts for everyday use and travel. There’s no basic account fee, the international transaction fees are fair, and you can invest straight from the app. All banks in comparison →

Trading credits for free!

Up to 0 Franconia

What is the Neon Bank and what is on offer?

The Neon Bank is the first independent account app available in Switzerland. Independent means not being directly involved with big banks or other institutions.

With Neon, you’re not tied to a main bank or any other institutions with high fees. You can declutter your wallet and, in extreme cases, carry only the Mastercard from Neon with you.

While Neon offers a tidy banking solution, "Hypi" is working in the background. The Hypothekarbank Lenzburg ensures secure and reliable banking with Swiss deposit protection.</span

For several years now, the founding team has been committed to creating the simplest bank account in Switzerland. Intuitive usability combined with maximum security are top priorities here. Paperless, the ability to open an account in 10 minutes and other features ensure a positive Neon Bank experience.

Outstanding favourable conditions at home and abroad are also key. In 2023, the Neon Investment function was added, but more on that in a moment.

Neon Bank advantages

Free account management with the Neon Free plan
Four account plans to suit different needs: Free, Plus, Global and Metal
0.35% Foreign exchange surcharge on card payments made abroad, from Neon Plus 0%
Affordable international money transfers directly within the app, thanks to our partnership with Wise
Free, user-friendly Neon Bank app. You can view your PIN in the app at any time
One card for everything (Mastercard), plus Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay
Neon Spaces: Savings pots or sub-accounts for your savings goals
Invest with Neon: shares and ETFs in the app, selected ETFs in a savings plan with no purchase fee. Neon’s savings plan templates make building a portfolio particularly easy
Neon 3a right in the app. Here you’ll find our Neon Pillar 3a review.
Neon Duo as Neon partner account, and also the Neon Youth Account from 15 years
eBill and Twint via Prepaid TWINT
Swiss deposit guarantee scheme up to CHF 100,000 via Hypothekarbank Lenzburg
Open an account via photo or Video Ident, paperless

Neon voucher code: 2026 Referral code

TRADE

Neon bank charges: Cheapest bank in Switzerland?

Despite the new fees, Neon remains affordable. For most user profiles, Neon is still one of the most cost-effective banking solutions in Switzerland.

An overview of the main charges:

Neon free

Card payments abroad/in foreign currencies: 0.35% exchange rate surcharge
Cash withdrawals in Switzerland: CHF 2.50 per withdrawal from a cash machine. Free at the checkout at Coop and Lidl, on purchases of CHF 10 or more
First card and replacement card cost CHF 20
No monthly or annual basic fees

Neon plus, global, metal

Tiered fees with enhanced services and reduced or waived individual charges

This does not alter the overall picture: Neon remains significantly cheaper than traditional banks and continues to offer excellent value for money.

CHF 100 trading credit for your first 3 trades within the first 2 months.

Open your Neon account and enter the Neon Bank code TRADE when you sign up. You’ll receive CHF 100 in trading credit, which you can use on your first 3 trades within the first 2 months. A perfect start to your investments – get started now!

Receive trading credit!

Now CHF 0

TRADE

Neon Bank Disadvantages

❌ The card costs a one-off fee of CHF 20 for Free and Plus members
❌ With Free, cash withdrawals from ATMs cost CHF 2.50 per transaction
❌ TWINT only works with Prepaid TWINT
❌ No foreign currency accounts; Neon only handles Swiss francs
❌ Telephone support is only available with Neon Plus or above
❌ No interest is currently paid on the balance

As an online bank, Neon has no branches. If you do everything digitally, you’ll rarely miss them. If you’re expecting in-person advice or telephone support from Neon Free, Neon isn’t the best fit for you. In our Neon Bank review, this is a real drawback, but for many people it isn’t a deal-breaker in everyday life.

Invest with Neon

You have been able to invest directly within the Neon app via Neon Invest since 2023.

The securities are traded on the Bern Stock Exchange in Swiss francs. You can also invest small amounts with Neon via the ETF savings plan. Outside the savings plan, a minimum fee of CHF 1 per trade applies.

Here are all the Neon Investment advantages at a glance:

No ongoing Neon custody fee
Neon ETF Savings Plan: invest automatically every month in selected ETFs with no purchase fee
Transactions are conducted in Swiss francs, so there is no need to exchange currency when making a purchase
All ETFs and Swiss shares: 0.5% of the purchase or sale price
International shares: 1.0% of the purchase or sale price
A growing selection of shares and ETFs

Neon Investment Disadvantages:

A smaller range of securities than with a traditional broker
For larger sums, it is more expensive than a traditional broker, as the fee is calculated as a percentage
Stamp duty is payable on every trade
Whole shares only, no fractions
Dividends in foreign currencies are converted into Swiss francs with a margin of around 1.5%
No web solution, just a mobile app

Neon Duo: The Neon partner account is here!

Since May 2025, the Neon Partner Account has become even more attractive: It can now be combined with all Neon plans (free, plus, global, metal), and the benefits of your chosen plan also apply to your Neon Duo card.

Everything you need to know about the Neon joint account at a glance:

Two Neon accounts as a starting point (open an account using a voucher code)
Your own IBAN and separate cards for the joint account
Clear presentation and intelligent statistics in the app
Your personal accounts will remain unchanged

The additional card costs CHF 3 per month per person - fair compared to other providers with hidden costs. The Neon joint account saves you money compared to expensive major bank cards, especially when travelling abroad.

Find out more in our affiliate account comparison.

A comparison of the four Neon plans: is a paid plan worthwhile?

Here’s how the four Neon plans differ:

	Neon free	Neon Plus	Neon Global	Neon metal
Price per year	CHF 0	CHF 20	CHF 80	CHF 150
Map	CHF 20 (one-off payment)	CHF 20 (one-off payment)	including	including
Foreign exchange surcharge	0.35%	0%	0%	0%
Free cash withdrawals in Switzerland per month	none	2	3	5
Cash withdrawal abroad	1.5%	1.0%	0.5%	0%
Extras	none	Telephone support	Telephone support, travel insurance	Telephone support, travel insurance, mobile phone insurance

Each additional cash withdrawal in Switzerland costs CHF 2.50. All plans can be combined with Neon Green (environmental protection) and Neon Duo (joint account) for CHF 3 per person per month each.

Which Neon Plan is right for you?

Neon free: For most people. With CHF 2,000 in international payments and 12 cash withdrawals a year, you’ll pay around CHF 37.
Neon plus: It’s worth it if you make 8 or more cash withdrawals from ATMs or around CHF 5,700 in international payments per year. With CHF 2,000 spent abroad and 24 cash withdrawals, you’ll save CHF 67 compared to the ’free’ option; after deducting the subscription fee, you’ll be left with CHF 47.
Neon global: For frequent travellers. Four trips, each with CHF 500 in cash, save you CHF 10 compared with the ‘plus’ card, whilst an additional cash withdrawal per month saves you CHF 30. On top of that, there’s the travel insurance, which we estimate to be worth around CHF 100.
Neon metal: For frequent travellers carrying large amounts of cash abroad and with an expensive smartphone. Six trips, each with CHF 1,000 in cash, save CHF 30 compared with the global rate. We estimate the value of the mobile phone insurance at around CHF 120 per year.

Neon compared with other Swiss accounts

Neon isn’t the only Swiss account with no basic fee. Depending on how often you need cash, whether you make payments in foreign currencies or want to invest, a different account might suit you better.

In our Swiss bank comparison, we compare Neon with the main alternatives, providing a direct comparison of fees, cards and international transaction costs.

Neon Bank experience and review

Eric Marschall, founder of Schwiizerfranke, on his experiences with Neon:

I’ve been using Neon practically since day one. And I always have the card with me.

To be fair, I usually pay digitally. But I often leave the house with just my iPhone. Stuck to the back is a mini-wallet containing my ID, driving licence and the Neon card. In between them are two banknotes as a backup. That’s all I need.

Three things have kept me at Neon for years:

The app. Easy to use – nothing is hidden.
The favourable exchange rates. With Neon Free, 0.35% is charged on the Mastercard exchange rate when abroad; with Neon Plus, there is no charge.
Wise in the app. International money transfers are processed directly through Neon, with no detours.

I’ve been using Neon Free for years. I’ve recently started trying out Neon Metal. Neon, as my partner, has provided me with this plan.

For small amounts and as a starting point, I think Neon Invest is a good option. My main investment portfolio is with a traditional broker.

Our verdict in the Neon Review

When it comes to Neon’s fees, the bank remains one of the cheapest in Switzerland, despite the card fee and surcharges when using the card abroad. The Neon Switzerland app is well-organised, and the key features are easily accessible. Neon falls short when it comes to cash and customer support: anyone who frequently withdraws cash from ATMs or needs to ring up with queries will end up paying extra with Neon Free or will have to switch to Neon Plus.

Tip: If you really want to get to grips with your finances, you should take a look at the 3-account model. You can find out how to implement this with Neon, for example, in Savings Tips Switzerland article.

Video: Neon App Tutorial

Outlook: What Neon is currently working on

Neon is primarily expanding Neon Invest. Additional order types, as well as further shares and ETFs, have been announced.

Conclusion of our Neon Free experience

Neon is no longer free in every situation. The card costs a one-off fee of CHF 20 at Neon Free, with a charge of 0.35% for transactions abroad, and cash withdrawals from ATMs cost CHF 2.50 per transaction. TWINT now only works via Prepaid-TWINT.

Nevertheless, Neon Bank Switzerland remains one of the best accounts for us for everyday use and travelling: no basic fee, an app that works seamlessly, and affordable international money transfers via Wise. If you need more, there are the Plus, Global and Metal plans, which can be combined with Neon Green or Neon Duo.

Neon isn’t the best choice if you often withdraw cash from ATMs, need a foreign-currency account or invest larger sums.

Our Neon rating: 4.6 out of 5. The Neon experiences shared by the community in the comments have been consistent with this rating for years.

Use the voucher code «TRADE» to receive CHF 100 in trading credit for your first 3 trades within your first 2 months with Neon Invest. The code is worth using as soon as you start investing. You don’t need it just to open an account.

CHF 100 trading credit for your first 3 trades within the first 2 months.

Receive trading credit!

Now CHF 0

TRADE

FAQ

Does Neon offer Apple Pay?

If you want to use Apple Pay with Neon, you can do so conveniently. To do so, link your Neon card in your settings under Apple Pay as a payment method. You can then use Apple Pay with Neon Free.

Does Neon Bank offer Twint?

Neon works with Prepaid TWINT. The previous option to use UBS TWINT is no longer available with the new Mastercard debit cards.
You can switch to Prepaid TWINT directly in the app under «Profile» → «TWINT».

How can I deposit money at Neon Bank?

Anyone who wants to deposit money at Neon Bank should do so digitally. Neon Bank is an online bank and does not have any branches. Therefore, use a bank transfer or alternatively the deposit via payment slip at the post office (fees may apply here).

How can I withdraw money from Neon Bank?

If you want to withdraw cash using Neon Bank, you can do so at any ATM. With Neon Free, a withdrawal in Switzerland costs CHF 2.50. With Neon Plus, two withdrawals are included per month; with Global, three; and with Metal, five. You can withdraw cash free of charge with Neon Bank at the checkout at Coop and Lidl, provided your purchase is at least CHF 10 and up to CHF 300 per withdrawal. According to Neon, cash withdrawals via TWINT at Sonect partners are also free or cheaper than at a cash machine.

Neon credit card experience abroad?

Neon works with Mastercard as payment service provider. Since Mastercard offers a very large international network, we were able to gain experience with our Neon credit card in many countries. There were almost never problems. Nevertheless, it is advisable to carry cash and a Visa credit card (e.g. Zak) when traveling extensively.

Can I use Neon as a payroll account?

Of course you can use Neon as a payroll account. The best way to do this is to move money from the incoming account where your salary arrives to a sub-account ("Neon Spaces"). This way there is less money exposed on your main account. If your total assets in the Neon salary account become too large, consider withdrawing a portion of them. This always makes sense from CHF 100,000 at the latest.

Do Neon have economy pots?

Yes! At Neon, savings pots are called ‘Spaces’. You can set up several Neon savings pots (Spaces) for your savings goals. There is currently no interest paid on them.

Neon Bank Alternative

Here you will find a big comparison of online banks for Switzerland. Two options, depending on what you feel is missing from Neon:

Yuh It’s a good option if you need an account in multiple currencies or want to start investing small amounts in fractions of shares and ETFs. Neon doesn’t offer either of these.
Zak Bank Cler is a good choice if you want a branch when you need one. However, Zak’s international fees are higher than Neon’s.

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NEON Bank experience 2026

Table of contents

What is the Neon Bank and what is on offer?

Neon Bank advantages

Neon voucher code: 2026 Referral code

Neon bank charges: Cheapest bank in Switzerland?

Neon Bank Disadvantages

Invest with Neon

Neon Duo: The Neon partner account is here!

A comparison of the four Neon plans: is a paid plan worthwhile?

Neon compared with other Swiss accounts

Neon Bank experience and review

Video: Neon App Tutorial

Outlook: What Neon is currently working on

Conclusion of our Neon Free experience

FAQ

Neon Bank Alternative

Top recommendations for 2026