Neon is an app-led Swiss current account designed for people who are comfortable managing everyday banking without a branch. Its free plan has no monthly account fee, but “free” does not mean every action costs nothing. The card has a one-off charge, cash withdrawals can carry fees and the free plan adds a percentage surcharge to foreign-currency card purchases.
The useful question is therefore not simply whether Neon is cheap. It is whether its digital-only service, eligibility rules and particular mix of card and cash charges fit the way you actually bank.
Quick verdict
Neon Free is a credible low-fixed-cost option for a Swiss resident who is paid in francs, mainly pays by card and is happy to use an app for support and administration. It becomes less attractive for someone who withdraws cash frequently, needs branch service or cannot meet its digital identification requirements.
The paid Plus, Global and Metal plans exchange a regular subscription for extra cash withdrawals, support or insurance benefits. Those plans should be compared against the value of benefits you would genuinely use, not treated as automatic upgrades.
Who provides the account?
Neon’s official price list says the account is held with Hypothekarbank Lenzburg AG and the Debit Mastercard is issued by that bank. This distinction matters because Neon supplies the app and customer experience while the regulated bank provides the underlying account.
The same price list sets baseline eligibility at age 15 or over, residence in Switzerland and tax domicile exclusively in Switzerland. It also requires an identity document accepted for digital identification. For non-Swiss citizens, the published list says a B or C residence permit is required in addition. A newcomer with an L permit, a cross-border tax position or an unsupported identity document should therefore confirm eligibility before relying on Neon as an arrival-day banking solution.
Neon plans and headline fees
Neon currently publishes four account plans. Prices and benefits can change, so check the live price list before applying.
| Plan | Subscription | Swiss ATM allowance | Foreign card surcharge | Foreign ATM fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neon Free | CHF 0 | None | 0.35% | 1.5% |
| Neon Plus | CHF 2 monthly or CHF 20 yearly | Two per month | None stated | 1.0% |
| Neon Global | CHF 8 monthly or CHF 80 yearly | Three per month | None stated | 0.5% |
| Neon Metal | CHF 15 monthly or CHF 150 yearly | Five per month | None stated | 0% |
After the included allowance, Neon says a Swiss ATM withdrawal costs CHF 2.50. Free-plan users have no included ATM withdrawals, although Neon describes cash withdrawal at participating supermarket checkouts as an alternative. An ATM operator may also impose its own fee, particularly abroad.
The first physical card costs CHF 20 on Free and Plus and is included with Global and Metal. That makes the first-year cost of the free account at least CHF 20 if you need the physical card, before any chargeable cash withdrawals or foreign-currency spending.
A practical cost comparison
Consider someone who withdraws cash twice per month in Switzerland and otherwise uses the card domestically. On Neon Free, 24 ATM withdrawals at CHF 2.50 would cost CHF 60 over a year, in addition to the initial card cost. Neon Plus paid yearly costs CHF 20 and includes two Swiss withdrawals per month. For that particular pattern, Plus could cost less even before valuing phone support or its other benefits.
That does not make Plus universally better. Someone who rarely uses cash could keep fixed costs lower on Free. The comparison should use your expected number of withdrawals, foreign card spending and need for support. Insurance bundled with Global or Metal is only useful if its coverage, exclusions and claims process replace cover you would otherwise buy.
Paying and travelling abroad
Neon says domestic transfers are free. International transfers in supported currencies use a Wise integration whose service fee varies with the amount and destination currency. Global and Metal advertise cashback on that service fee, while Free and Plus do not.
For foreign card purchases, Neon Free publishes a 0.35% exchange-rate surcharge. On CHF 5,000 equivalent of annual foreign spending, that percentage alone would be CHF 17.50. That is modest, but it should be added to any plan and cash costs rather than ignored.
Cash abroad needs more care. The published plan fee is calculated as a percentage of the withdrawal for Free, Plus and Global, while an ATM owner can add a separate charge. Dynamic currency conversion can also make a withdrawal more expensive if the machine offers to convert the amount into francs. Reading the screen carefully and comparing the offered rate remains important regardless of the account plan.
Everyday account features
The plan comparison lists QR-bill and eBill payments, Spaces for separating money, account analytics and a Debit Mastercard across all four plans. Neon also offers investment functionality, but that is a separate decision from choosing it as an everyday account. The official fee schedule lists trading fees and Swiss stamp duty, so the absence of a custody fee should not be read as cost-free investing.
The service model is strongly digital. Free includes email support and emergency card support but not ordinary phone support. Plus and higher plans add phone support. People who want to deposit cash routinely, discuss complex matters at a counter or receive extensive in-person help may prefer a bank with branches.
Main advantages
- No monthly subscription for Neon Free.
- A Swiss account provided through Hypothekarbank Lenzburg AG.
- Clear differences between the free and paid tiers.
- Domestic payment features such as QR bills and eBill.
- Potentially useful paid tiers for people whose cash or travel pattern matches the included benefits.
Limitations to consider
- Swiss residence and exclusive Swiss tax domicile are published requirements.
- The accepted-document and permit rules can exclude some newcomers.
- The free tier charges for every standard Swiss ATM withdrawal.
- There is no branch network for ordinary service.
- Paid-plan insurance should be assessed through its policy wording, not its marketing label.
- Prices and plan benefits can change, so an old review can become inaccurate quickly.
Who is Neon suitable for?
Neon Free is most likely to fit a digitally confident resident who makes few cash withdrawals and wants a straightforward account for salary, bills and card spending. Plus may suit someone who withdraws cash up to twice monthly or values phone support. Global and Metal require a closer calculation because their higher subscriptions are justified mainly by travel, insurance and additional service benefits.
It may not fit someone who needs a branch, handles cash regularly, has tax residence outside Switzerland or does not hold the permit and identification documents Neon accepts.
Decision checklist
Before applying, check:
- Whether your residence permit, identity document and tax domicile meet the current rules.
- How many Swiss and foreign ATM withdrawals you make in a normal month.
- Your expected annual foreign-currency card spending.
- Whether email-only support is sufficient.
- Whether any paid-plan insurance duplicates existing cover.
- The current price list on the day you apply.
Neon can be a low-cost everyday account, but its strongest use case is specific: digital banking, limited cash and straightforward Swiss residence. Judging it against that pattern gives a more useful answer than treating “free account” as the whole review.
Related Expat Money guides
- How to Open a Swiss Bank Account: Best Options for Foreigners
- Best Money Apps and Budgeting Tools in Switzerland
- Wise Review: A Fee-Light Multi-Currency Account and Card for Switzerland
Sources
- Neon, Services and prices, status 6 November 2025: static-assets.neon-free.ch/legal/Prices/neon_services_and_prices_EN.pdf
- Neon, new plan structure and comparison: www.neon-free.ch/en/blog/discover-our-new-neon-plans
- Neon, cash-withdrawal fees: www.neon-free.ch/en/faq/how-much-does-it-cost-to-withdraw-money