If you’re standing in the middle of Zurich’s Bahnhofstrasse or staring up at the Matterhorn in Zermatt, you might assume you can just tap your card or hand over some Euros and be done with it. Most of Europe did away with their individual currencies decades ago. But Switzerland isn't most of Europe.
The official currency of Switzerland is the Swiss franc (CHF).
It is a stubborn, beautiful, and incredibly stable piece of paper and metal that has survived world wars, economic collapses, and the rise of the Euro right next door. Honestly, it’s one of the few things the Swiss are more protective of than their chocolate or their secret mountain bunkers.
Whether you’re a traveler trying to figure out how to pay for a $15 coffee or an investor looking for a "safe haven," understanding how money works here is basically a requirement for survival.
Wait, Why Isn't it the Euro?
It’s a fair question. Switzerland is literally surrounded by countries that use the Euro. Germany, France, Italy, Austria—they all ditched their marks and liras long ago. But Switzerland is not a member of the European Union. Because of that, they’ve kept their own monetary policy firmly in the hands of the Swiss National Bank (SNB).
You’ve probably seen prices listed in Euros at big train stations or touristy shops. Kinda convenient, right?
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Well, it’s a bit of a trap. If you pay in Euros, the shop will almost certainly give you a terrible exchange rate. Plus, they’ll give you your change back in Swiss francs. By the time the transaction is done, you’ve basically paid a "convenience tax" that could have bought you another Lindt bar.
The Ninth Series: Not Just Money, but Art
The banknotes in Switzerland are weird. In a good way.
Most countries put dead presidents or famous poets on their money. Switzerland used to do that too, but with the ninth series of banknotes (the ones currently in your wallet), they went in a completely different direction. Instead of faces, the notes feature concepts like time, light, wind, and matter.
- The 10-franc note (Yellow): Focuses on time and the Swiss talent for organization. Look for the clock face and the tiny train tunnels.
- The 20-franc note (Red): All about light and creativity. It features a film festival and a butterfly.
- The 50-franc note (Green): Represents wind and adventure. There’s a paraglider and a dandelion with seeds blowing away.
- The 100-franc note (Blue): This one is about water and Switzerland’s humanitarian tradition. It shows hands scooping up water.
These aren't just pretty. They are printed on Durasafe, which is a high-tech sandwich of paper and polymer. It makes them almost impossible to tear and even harder to fake. There are about 15 different security features, including a tiny globe that changes color when you tilt it and a transparent Swiss cross that turns into a flag when you hold it up to the light.
Why the "Swissie" is a Financial Rockstars
In the world of finance, the Swiss franc is often called the "Swissie."
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It’s famous for being a safe-haven currency. When the global economy starts looking shaky or a war breaks out somewhere, investors panic and buy Swiss francs. Why? Because Switzerland has low debt, a massive gold reserve, and a long history of staying out of everyone else's business (neutrality).
As of early 2026, the franc remains incredibly strong. In fact, it’s often too strong. When the franc's value goes up, Swiss watches and machinery become more expensive for people in other countries to buy. The SNB spends a lot of time trying to make sure the currency doesn't get so strong that it hurts Swiss businesses.
Breaking Down the Change
You’ll deal with Rappen (in German), centimes (in French), or centesimi (in Italian). It’s all the same thing: 1/100th of a franc.
Switzerland actually got rid of the 1-centime and 2-centime coins years ago because they cost more to make than they were worth. Today, the smallest coin is the 5-centime piece.
Pro tip: Don’t be surprised by the 5-franc coin. It’s huge. It’s heavy. It feels like something a medieval merchant would carry in a leather pouch. It’s also worth about five or six US dollars depending on the day, so don't just toss it into a tip jar without thinking.
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Tipping and Paying: The 2026 Reality
Is Switzerland a "cash-only" society? Definitely not.
You can use Apple Pay, Google Pay, or a contactless credit card almost anywhere, even at a tiny farm stand in the mountains. A lot of places also use TWINT, which is a local Swiss payment app. If you’re a tourist, you probably won't use TWINT, but your Visa or Mastercard will work just fine.
That said, you should still carry some cash. Some mountain huts or very old-school cafes might have a "minimum 20 francs for cards" rule.
The Tipping Secret
In Switzerland, service is included in the price by law. You don't have to tip. However, locals usually round up to the nearest 5 or 10 francs if the service was good. If your lunch is 22.40 francs, leaving 24 or 25 is perfectly fine. You don't need to do the 20% math we do in the US.
Quick Facts for Your Trip
- Currency Code: CHF (Confoederatio Helvetica Franc).
- Where else is it used? Liechtenstein and a tiny Italian town called Campione d'Italia.
- Banknote sizes: They get bigger as the value goes up. The 1,000-franc note is huge (and purple).
- Exchange Offices: Use ATMs at big banks like UBS or Credit Suisse for the best rates. Avoid the exchange booths at the airport if you can.
Moving Forward with Your Swiss Budget
The biggest mistake people make is thinking they can survive on Euros. You might get by in Basel or Geneva, but you’ll lose money on every transaction.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your bank's foreign transaction fees. Switzerland is expensive enough without paying 3% extra on every meal.
- Get a Revolut or Wise card. These allow you to hold CHF directly and spend like a local.
- Carry at least one 20-franc note. It's the perfect "just in case" amount for a snack or a bus ticket where cards might fail.
Switzerland’s currency is a reflection of the country itself: stable, a bit complicated, and very, very expensive. But once you get used to the colorful notes and the heavy coins, you'll realize it's all part of the charm.