All about safe deposit boxes

Advantages and disadvantages of the different safe deposit concepts

Safe deposit boxes are ideal for storing precious metals such as gold and silver, as well as important documents and other assets. These facilities are available from banks, precious metal dealers and specialist storage companies. In order to find out which provision is best for your own particular needs, we have collated comparative data on each of these different concepts.

Our “Everything about lockers” section provides comprehensive information on all topics relating to the security, anonymity and privacy of safe deposit boxes. Discover the advantages and disadvantages of bank safe deposit boxes, dealer safe deposit facilities and bank-independent safe deposit boxes in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein. You can find out more about specific topics via our comprehensive collection of articles.

Precious metals or other assets should be stored in a protected, burglar-proof facility. Bank safe deposit boxes are a practical alternative to home safes, but customers are usually required to open a bank account – which invariably means the disclosure and registration of your personal details, including your safe deposit box number. The solution is a bank-independent, privately managed safe deposit box with no disclosure obligation and no listing on a safe deposit register.

Private individuals or businesses can rent safe deposit boxes for their assets at banks or precious metal dealers. However, storage specialists can provide personalised alternatives offering features such as robust security, protection of privacy, and bank-independent facilities. Carefully comparing the offers from different safe deposit box providers can thus prove very advantageous.

A safe deposit box offers a high degree of passive security, but additional insurance is still necessary. Although household contents insurance sometimes covers part of the damage, there is usually a considerable sum-insured deficit. This can be offset by supplementary insurance. Find out more about the risks here as well as information about your obligation to provide adequate verification in the event of a claim.

Private investors often use bank safe deposit boxes when they wish to store and protect gold, silver or other valuables, or else install a home safe. Bank-independent safe deposit boxes in Switzerland or Liechtenstein offer ultra-convenient facilities with maximum discretion. They are suitable for every kind of asset and are regularly used by discerning clients from all over the world.

Those who wish to store physical assets both securely and anonymously do not have many options. A home safe offers anonymity, but relatively little security. Bank safe deposit boxes are more secure, but require the disclosure and storage of customer data to comply with anti-money-laundering regulations. Private storage providers are exempt from such requirements, so privately run storage companies such as Swiss Gold Safe can offer facilities which include both robust security and the highest possible levels of anonymity.

Money laundering and preventive countermeasures are encountered all across the world. So nowadays, regulatory authorities usually have access to customer data gathered from banks. Bank safe deposit boxes are also included in such listings, and usually require a new bank account to be opened. The situation is completely different with Swiss Gold Safe. As a private storage company, they are fully exempt from such requirements and can thus offer bank-independent safe deposit boxes.

At first glance, bank safe deposit boxes seem ideal for storing documents, cash and precious metals. But on closer inspection, there are some important downsides. Meanwhile, bank-independent storage offers significant advantages. For example, Swiss Gold Safe in Liechtenstein or in Switzerland can offer discreet custody of your assets without any reporting requirements.

Documents and material assets are much more secure when kept in a bank safe deposit box rather than just stored within your own four walls. But what about the physical security provided by a bank safe deposit box? And, with reports of burglary and theft forever on the increase, are the customer storage arrangements precious metal dealers offer really any better? What is the essential difference between these facilities and the safe deposit box arrangements offered by specialist providers?

When storing precious metals, many investors appreciate the discretion and privacy of a safe deposit box. However, a bank account is usually required for opening such a facility. In such circumstances, customer data is then automatically saved and reported. The situation is totally different for pure storage providers in Switzerland, who are exempt from such arrangements: No bank details are required to set up a private safe deposit box at Swiss Gold Safe.

Valuable assets such as precious metals, jewellery and cash are ideally stored in a safe deposit box. However, the available supply of bank safe deposit boxes has been declining for several years. In many cases, these are now reserved exclusively for existing customers. The practical alternative is a bank-independent safe deposit box for non-bank clients available from independent specialist providers in Switzerland or Liechtenstein.

This article covers everything about the bank-independent storage of cash, precious metals and other valuables in a Swiss safe deposit box. These safe deposit boxes and safes are also available to international customers. There are various sizes available, no quantity limits apply, and you can also browse our price guide.

Opening a safe deposit box in Switzerland involves just five simple steps. Swiss clients, as well as private and corporate clients from other countries, can rent safe deposit boxes tailored to their personal needs for storing precious metals and other material assets. You don’t even need a bank account. Simply follow the instructions or view our explanatory video which includes all the information you require.

Find out here just how uncomplicated and inexpensive it is to open a bank-independent safe deposit box in the Principality of Liechtenstein. You have a choice of different sizes and our private safe deposit boxes are suitable for both domestic and international clients. Store precious metals, cash or documents securely and with the utmost discretion.

It’s very important to know your assets are safe. So, a safe deposit box can be a very good choice. But is it better to rent a safe deposit facility in Switzerland, or in Liechtenstein?

Clients often ask whether they can arrange to leave their safe deposit box key on-site at the safe deposit facility. Swiss Gold Safe cannot accommodate such requests for important security reasons. A viable alternative is to securely deposit your safe deposit box keys with external service providers. These depository services offer many advantages though there are also some disadvantages.

To help curb money laundering, an expanded regulation of financial supervision was introduced in the Principality of Liechtenstein in 2021. According to this directive, banks must store their customers’ data and grant access by the relevant authorities. This measure also reveals the existence of any bank safe deposit boxes, which must also be listed on a safe deposit box register. As a privately run storage company, Swiss Gold Safe (Liechtenstein) Ltd is exempt from this requirement.

The access codes for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are often stored on USB sticks or in special hardware wallets. These offline data storage devices must be kept safe so they don’t fall into the wrong hands. Swiss Gold Safe bank-independent safe deposit boxes in Switzerland or Liechtenstein are ideal for this purpose.

Valuable watches, jewellery and precious metals must be securely stored in a safe place to preserve their value. Although home safes are more suitable for this purpose than simply hiding them down a hole in your garden, they can often be expensive and troublesome to install. Storing your valuable assets in a privately run high-security facility is almost invariably a more secure and cost-effective alternative.

Collecting and sending packages and parcels via machine is already a well-established practice. But what are fully automatic safe deposit box systems? Where can they be found? And do they offer the same security standards as classic safe-deposit systems with human security personnel to monitor and authorise access?

Collecting and sending packages and parcels via machine is already a well-established practice. But what are fully automatic safe deposit box systems? Where can they be found? And do they offer the same security standards as classic safe-deposit systems with human security personnel to monitor and authorise access?