Rental of Private Safe Deposit Boxes in Geneva
Your valuables, protected.

A private safe deposit box outside the banking system offers security and confidentiality that banks cannot guarantee. Your access does not depend on the solvency of a banking institution or any legal restrictions imposed on your account. Your assets remain accessible under all circumstances, without any financial intermediary. It is the preferred solution for protecting personal, family or professional assets.

It is a secure compartment within our premises, rented for the agreed period. You store what you wish (subject to the exclusions set out in the general terms and conditions) and access it by appointment during opening hours.

Yes. Safe Deposit S.A. rents boxes to Swiss residents, expatriates and non-residents, subject to identity verification in accordance with our legal obligations (valid official photo ID and, for residents, recent proof of address). Cross-border workers and non-residents are welcome. Contact us if you have questions about your specific situation.

Yes. Safe Deposit S.A. rents safe deposit boxes to legal entities (companies, foundations, associations, etc.) on the same terms as individuals. At the time of signing, the company must provide a commercial register extract less than three months old, its current articles of association, and the IDs of representatives authorised to sign and access the box. Access is restricted to persons expressly named in the contract.

For individuals: a valid official photo ID and a recent proof of address (less than three months old). For companies: a commercial register extract less than three months old, the current articles of association, and the IDs of authorised representatives. In all cases, a beneficial ownership declaration form (Form A) must be completed and signed at the time of signing the contract, in accordance with the Swiss Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA).

Important documents (passports, property deeds, wills), jewellery, watches, cash, digital media, collections, precious objects — anything that fits within the dimensions of your box. Certain items are excluded by law and our general terms and conditions (hazardous materials, narcotics, etc.)

For documents and a few small items, Type 1 or 2 boxes are generally sufficient. For jewellery, watches or more documents, opt for Type 3 or 4. Types 5 and 6 are suitable for those with large quantities of items. If in doubt, contact us — we are happy to advise.

The minimum initial term is twelve (12) months, unless a special arrangement is agreed between the parties. The contract then renews automatically for the agreed period (minimum six months) unless terminated in writing within the required notice period.

We accept cash, credit cards and bank transfers. Payment is made in advance for the chosen rental period.

Any change to the tariffs or general terms and conditions is notified to you by letter or email at least thirty (30) days before it takes effect. If you disagree, you have the right to terminate your contract without any indemnity, effective on the date the new conditions come into force. If no written objection is received within that period, the changes are deemed accepted.

Access is strictly by appointment. On the day of your visit, you come with your personal key and a form of ID. A member of our staff escorts you to the vault room, then leaves you alone to access your compartment.

Yes, on an exceptional basis and by prior written agreement. Access outside regular opening hours is possible for a surcharge of CHF 150.– (excl. VAT) per visit. Contact us to arrange an appointment outside our usual hours.

No. Your contract does not limit the number of annual or monthly visits. You may access your box as often as you wish, within opening hours and subject to appointment availability.

Yes. You can appoint one or more trusted persons authorised to access your box on your behalf. This delegation must be formalised in writing with our office. The authorised person must attend in person with a valid ID at each visit.

Yes, at any time during the contract period. A written request is required, and the newly authorised person must attend in person with a valid ID to be registered. Administrative fees may apply.

Yes, provided you have previously designated that person as an authorised representative in the contract or by written amendment. Access authorisation cannot be granted remotely after the fact. We recommend planning ahead and designating a trusted person at the time of signing or as soon as you anticipate a prolonged absence.

Under Swiss law, a judicial authority may order access to a private safe deposit box in the context of criminal or civil proceedings, on the basis of a search warrant or an enforceable court order. Safe Deposit S.A. is required to comply with such decisions. Outside any formal judicial process, no access is granted to third parties — including administrative or tax authorities — without an enforceable court order.

Under the Federal Debt Enforcement and Bankruptcy Act (DEBA), a court may order the seizure of the contents of a private safe deposit box on the basis of an enforceable decision. Safe Deposit S.A. is required to comply with such an order. There is no automatic protection of box contents against legally founded enforcement proceedings.

No. Safe Deposit S.A. does not know the contents of your box and makes no voluntary disclosures to Swiss or foreign tax authorities. We are not a financial institution under Swiss tax law. However, in accordance with the Swiss Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA), we are required to report any suspicious activity to the Money Laundering Reporting Office Switzerland (MROS). It is your responsibility to comply with your personal tax obligations and declare your assets in accordance with applicable law.

No. Swiss banking secrecy (Art. 47 of the Banking Act) is a protection specific to banking institutions licensed by FINMA. Safe Deposit S.A. is not a bank and is not subject to the Banking Act. However, your personal information and contract data are protected under the Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP) and our contractual duty of confidentiality. We do not disclose any information about you to third parties, except where required by law.

Contact us immediately. For security reasons, we replace the cylinder of your box. Fees apply in accordance with our general terms and conditions. No duplicate of your personal key exists — this is a fundamental security guarantee of our system.

Our premises are secured and insured. However, your belongings are not insured (Safe Deposit S.A. does not know what you store). We recommend taking out supplementary insurance to cover the value of your contents. Upon request, we can suggest three insurance companies that offer this type of coverage.

The contract is concluded for a minimum initial term of twelve (12) months and renews automatically for periods of at least six (6) months. To terminate at the expiry date, notify us in writing at least three (3) months before the expiry date, collect the contents of your box and return your keys. No fees apply when terminating at the contract expiry date within the notice period. Early termination (before the end of the current period) incurs a flat-rate indemnity equal to two (2) months' rent. In the event of lost keys, charges will be applied in accordance with our general terms and conditions.

Yes. You may cancel your contract at any time before its expiry date. Any rent already paid for the remaining period is refunded on a pro-rata basis, less a flat-rate early termination indemnity equal to two (2) months' rent. To do so, return your keys, empty your box and notify us in writing in accordance with the general terms and conditions.

In the event of death, the legal heirs or the notary handling the estate may access the box on presentation of an official certificate of heirs and a valid ID for each person attending. We may require the presence of a notary for the first post-mortem opening. Any costs related to this opening are borne by the estate.

You cannot bequeath the box itself (it is a rental contract), but you can plan access to its contents as part of your estate. We recommend informing your notary or estate representative of the box's existence and keeping a copy of the relevant instructions inside it. You may also designate in advance persons authorised to access the box after your death.

The heirs or the notary handling the estate must present: an official certificate of heirs, a valid ID for each person attending, and, where applicable, a notarised power of attorney if a single representative is acting on behalf of the estate. We reserve the right to require the presence of a notary at the first opening. Any opening costs are borne by the estate.

The rental contract remains valid regardless of your place of residence. You may continue to rent your box from abroad and access it on visits to Switzerland, or authorise a trusted person residing in Switzerland to access it on your behalf. If you wish to end the contract, the standard termination terms apply.

Following recent banking restructurings, many institutions have reduced or discontinued their safe deposit box services. Safe Deposit S.A. offers a simple transfer solution: make an appointment, bring the contents of your former box and sign your contract on the same day. Our service is entirely independent of the banking system — the closure or failure of a bank has no impact on your access to your box with us.