New Rules For Swiss Banks Serving EU Customers

Providing core banking services to EU customers from a non-EU country will generally require the establishment of an authorised EU branch or subsidiary. The upcoming sixth Capital Requirements Directive (CRD VI) introduces a harmonised EU-wide regime for the establishment and supervision of branches of non-EU banks and entities operating in the EU. Implementation into local law was due by 11 January 2026. The third-country branch requirement will apply within all EU Member States from 11 January 2027.

New regime under CRD VI

Branch requirement

The absence of full harmonisation of cross-border services from third countries has led to divergent branch and licensing requirements across EEA Member States.