J. Safra Sarasin
Marcus Altenburg, Published
J. Safra Sarasin is a private bank based in Basel, founded in 1841. It works with international clients, so a non-resident can open an account here when the source-of-funds file is clean. As a private bank, it typically expects a private-banking relationship, commonly from CHF 500,000 upward — as of June 2026, and not a published per-bank figure.
About J. Safra Sarasin
Investment advice and asset management for private and institutional clients across more than 25 locations worldwide. J. Safra Sarasin belongs to J. Safra Group.
| Type | Private bank |
|---|---|
| Head office | Basel, canton of Basel-Stadt |
| Founded | 1841 |
| Legal name | Bank J. Safra Sarasin Ltd |
| Assets | CHF 224.2 billion total client assets (as of 31 December 2024) |
| Service languages | English, German |
| Non-residents | Accepts international clients |
- Owned by the Brazilian J. Safra Group; formed in 2013 from the merger of Bank Sarasin and Bank Jacob Safra Switzerland.
- Founded in Basel in 1841.
Opening an account at J. Safra Sarasin as a non-resident
J. Safra Sarasin assesses each non-resident applicant on source of wealth, source of funds and risk profile, and runs an English-language service for international clients. The decisive factor is a documented source of funds, not nationality. Assemble the evidence (tax returns, sale or employment records, a clear paper trail) before you approach the bank. Our guide to opening a Swiss bank account sets out the full document list and the timeline.
Is J. Safra Sarasin a fit for a non-resident?
As a private bank, J. Safra Sarasin is built for substantial, advised relationships rather than a simple transactional account. It suits a non-resident with investable assets who wants wealth management alongside banking and can meet a private-banking entry level.
If you would rather have this handled than explained, we prepare the source-of-funds file and introduce you to a suitable bank, and we can incorporate the company an account often sits behind. You can also compare J. Safra Sarasin with 35 other Swiss banks.
Official website: J. Safra Sarasin.
Same segment
Other private banks for non-residents
FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
01Can a non-resident open an account at J. Safra Sarasin?
Yes. J. Safra Sarasin is a private bank in Basel that works with international clients. As with any Swiss bank, approval turns on a documented source of funds and the bank's own onboarding checks, not on nationality alone.
02What kind of bank is J. Safra Sarasin?
J. Safra Sarasin is a private bank, part of J. Safra Group, founded in 1841, based in Basel. Owned by the Brazilian J. Safra Group; formed in 2013 from the merger of Bank Sarasin and Bank Jacob Safra Switzerland.
03What is the minimum to bank with J. Safra Sarasin?
There is no published per-bank minimum. As a private bank, J. Safra Sarasin typically expects a private-banking relationship, commonly from CHF 500,000 upward. The realistic entry point depends on the relationship rather than a fixed rule (as of June 2026).
04Does J. Safra Sarasin serve clients in English?
Yes. J. Safra Sarasin runs an English-language service alongside German, so a non-resident can be onboarded and advised in English.
Discuss your matter.
A thirty-minute confidential conversation, in any of our five working languages. No fee, no obligation, no boilerplate.