What Is the Money Used in Switzerland?

The official currency used throughout Switzerland is the Swiss Franc. Understanding the local currency is important for navigating daily life and commerce within its borders.

The Swiss Franc

The Swiss Franc, identified by its international currency code CHF, is the official legal tender in Switzerland. This currency is recognized on the global financial market for its strength and stability. Switzerland’s political neutrality, economy, and fiscal policies contribute to the Franc’s reputation as a safe-haven currency. The Swiss National Bank manages the currency’s value.

Denominations and Appearance

The Swiss Franc system includes both banknotes and coins. Banknotes are issued by the Swiss National Bank in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 1,000 Francs. Each denomination highlights a specific aspect of Switzerland, such as organizational talent (10 Francs), creativity (20 Francs), wealth of experiences (50 Francs), humanitarian tradition (100 Francs), scientific expertise (200 Francs), and communicative flair (1,000 Francs). These notes incorporate advanced security features.

Coins are issued by Swissmint and come in denominations of 5, 10, 20 Rappen (or Centimes), 1/2 Franc, 1 Franc, 2 Francs, and 5 Francs. The smaller units are known as Rappen in German-speaking regions and Centimes in French-speaking areas. All coins feature either “Helvetia” or “Confoederatio Helvetica,” the Latin name for the Swiss Confederation, along with the year of mintage. For instance, the 5, 10, and 20 centime coins display a head of Liberty, while the 1/2, 1, and 2 Franc coins show a standing figure of Helvetia.

Practical Use of Swiss Money

Acquiring Swiss Francs is straightforward, with various options available for visitors. Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are widely accessible across Switzerland, even in smaller villages. It is generally advisable to use bank-owned ATMs and to select the option to complete transactions in Swiss Francs to avoid unfavorable dynamic currency conversion rates. Currency exchange offices, particularly those at major railway stations, often offer competitive rates for exchanging foreign currencies into Swiss Francs, potentially better than banks or airport kiosks.

While cash is readily available, Switzerland has a strong preference for cashless transactions. Credit and debit cards from major providers such as Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are widely accepted in most establishments, including hotels, restaurants, and shops. Mobile payment systems have also gained significant popularity, with Twint being a leading Swiss payment application that allows direct payments via QR codes or Bluetooth. Other mobile options like Apple Pay and Google Pay are also commonly used.

Despite the prevalence of electronic payments, carrying some Swiss Francs in cash can be useful for smaller vendors, market stalls, public transport, or in more rural areas where card acceptance might be limited. Although Switzerland is not part of the Eurozone, some businesses, especially in tourist-heavy areas or near borders, may accept Euros as payment. However, prices displayed in Euros might not always reflect the most favorable exchange rate, and any change will almost always be given in Swiss Francs. It is generally more cost-effective to use Swiss Francs for all transactions.