First decision: bank or insurance
Before opening, choose the form: a bank 3a (flexible, low fees, investable in funds) or an insurance 3a (saving plus death/disability cover, but more rigid). For most savers, a bank 3a in funds is most efficient; insurance makes sense when you genuinely need cover. This choice structures everything else.
Open online in minutes
Most providers (banks, 3a apps) let you open a 3a account entirely online: identification, choice of investment strategy (equity share), then setting up a regular or one-off contribution. Compare fees and strategy first, as they weigh heavily on long-term returns, before finalizing.
Pay in before December 31
For your contributions to be deductible from this year's income, they must be made before December 31, within the annual cap (CHF 7,258 for an employee, CHF 36,288 for a self-employed person without a 2nd pillar in 2026). Open your 3a early enough to have time to contribute before year-end.