What is the Currency in Switzerland?

What is the Currency of Switzerland?

If you're travelling to Switzerland—famous for its alpine scenery, luxury watches and efficient transport—it’s essential to know what currency is used and how best to manage your money. This guide is designed for UK visitors and explains the official Swiss currency, how it’s structured, and how to pay effectively while in the country.

What currency does Switzerland use?

Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc, abbreviated as CHF and often symbolised by Fr or SFr. It is the only legal tender used across the country, including in popular cities like Zurich, Geneva, Lucerne and Bern.

Although Switzerland is surrounded by Eurozone countries and is a member of the Schengen Area, it is not part of the European Union and does not use the euro as official currency.

How is the Swiss franc structured?

The franc is a decimal currency divided into 100 centimes (in French), Rappen (in German) or centesimi (in Italian), depending on the region. In practice, however, you'll mostly deal in full francs.

Common denominations include:

• Banknotes: 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 1,000 francs

• Coins: 5, 10, 20 and 50 centimes; 1, 2 and 5 francs

At the time of writing, £1 is worth approximately 1.10 to 1.15 CHF, but exchange rates fluctuate—so check before you travel.

Can you use euros in Switzerland?

While euros are sometimes accepted in tourist-heavy areas, they are not legal tender. If you do pay in euros, you’ll often receive change in Swiss francs and may get a poor exchange rate.

For best value and smooth transactions, it’s recommended to use Swiss francs for all purchases.

Should you bring cash or use a card in Switzerland?

Switzerland is highly card-friendly. Most hotels, restaurants, shops and public transport providers accept Visa, Mastercard and increasingly Apple Pay and Google Pay. Contactless payments are widely supported.

However, it's still wise to carry a small amount of cash, especially for small purchases like market items, public toilets or tips.

UK travellers should use a fee-free travel card, such as Monzo, Starling or Revolut, to avoid charges on foreign payments or ATM withdrawals.

Where to get Swiss francs

You can:

• Order CHF from UK currency providers before travel

• Withdraw from ATMs in Switzerland (widely available)

• Exchange GBP or euros at Swiss banks, bureaux de change or airports (note: airport rates are often less favourable)

Always choose to be charged in CHF, not GBP, when paying or withdrawing to avoid poor conversion rates (this is known as dynamic currency conversion).

Tips for managing money in Switzerland

• Pay in Swiss francs for best value—avoid using euros

• Use contactless or chip & PIN cards where possible

• Decline GBP conversions at card terminals and ATMs

• Carry small notes and coins for local shops and vending machines

• Tipping is appreciated but not expected—rounding up is customary

Common mistakes to avoid

A frequent mistake is assuming Switzerland uses the euro—it doesn’t. Another is relying on cash alone; Switzerland is one of the most digital-payment-friendly countries in Europe. Finally, using dynamic currency conversion (GBP at checkout) often leads to unnecessary fees—always pay in CHF.

In summary

Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc (CHF) as its official currency. While cards are widely accepted, having some cash on hand is still useful. UK travellers should use fee-free cards, avoid currency conversion traps, and always pay in CHF for the best rates.