How does roaming work in Switzerland?
Travelling to Switzerland? Discover how you can get mobile internet when in the country.
Can you pay in euro in Switzerland?
Switzerland is a popular European destination, famous for its stunning natural beauty and luxurious cities. If you’re planning a trip there some time soon you might be wondering, can you use euros in Switzerland or will you need Swiss Francs?
In this guide, we’ll explain how widely the Euro is accepted in Switzerland, introduce their official currency, and share the best ways to pay while you’re there.
We’ll also show you how the Wise card can help you spend in Switzerland without worrying about hidden fees or poor exchange rates.
Wise card: Pay like a local
in Switzerland 💳
Can you use Euro in Switzerland?
Switzerland is not part of the European Union and as such doesn’t use the Euro.¹ That said, the country is surrounded by European Union countries including France, Germany, and Italy, so some businesses do accept Euro payments.
As an Irish visitor, here’s some of the places that might accept your Euros:
- Large department stores, souvenir shops, speciality stores and supermarkets in tourist areas
- Hotels and some restaurants in major cities or tourist hotspots
- Train stations in popular destinations.
Even when businesses accept Euros, you don’t always get the best deal. They may offer a poor exchange rate or only give you change in local currency. For that reason, it’s generally better to have Swiss cash on hand or use a card that offers fair exchange rates, like the Wise debit card, that you'll read more about later.
What’s Switzerland's currency? Introducing the Swiss franc
The Swiss Franc is the official currency of Switzerland, represented by the currency code CHF.¹ It was first introduced in 1850, just two years after moderns Switzerland was founded.²
These are the coins and banknotes that are currently in circulation.
| Swiss franc | |
|---|---|
| Coins | 5, 10, 20, 50 centimes 1, 2, 5 francs |
| Banknotes | 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 1000 francs |
Can you pay by card in Switzerland?
Society in Switzerland tends to be cashless, with credit cards and debit cards being accepted almost anywhere.¹ However, there are a few cases where a bit of cash might be needed:
- Small vendors and market stalls
- Public toilet entry
- Rural areas
- Mountain huts.
It’s also nice to have a bit of cash on hand if something unexpected happens, like the point of sale machines being offline.
To get cash it’s usually better to withdraw it from an ATM than exchange money at a bureau de change. That’s because exchange offices tend to offer poorer rates and higher fees, so the right card can offer a better deal.
With the Wise debit card, you can withdraw money in Swiss Francs at ATMs with low fees and the fair mid-market exchange rate.
| Read also: Exchanging currency at Dublin Airport |
|---|
Pay in Switzerland with the Wise debit card
If you want to avoid expensive foreign transaction fees and hidden exchange rate margins, taking the Wise debit card to Switzerland is a great option.
- Hold balances of Swiss Francs, Euros and over 40 other currencies in your Wise Account
- Convert between Euros and Franc at the mid-market exchange rate (the same you normally see on Google) to get a fair exchange every time.
- But don't need to worry about converting your money previously if you don't wish to. Wise will automatically convert at the moment of the sale taking from your euro balance
- Withdraw cash easily with the added bonus of having up to two free ATM withdrawals per month to a combined value of 200 EUR. ³
- Create free virtual cards for more convenience and security, and add them to digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Whether you’re paying for a ski pass in the mountains, a chocolate tour in Geneva, or a luxury item in Zurich, the Wise card makes spending in Switzerland simple and cost effective.
Sources used:
1. My Switzerland - Currency
2. National Museum - Switzerland and its money
3. Wise will not charge you for these withdrawals, but some additional charges may occur from independent ATM networks.
Cover photo: Lukasz Radziejewski via Unsplash
Sources last checked on date: 24 March 2025
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
Money without borders
Find out more
Does Revolut work in Switzerland from Ireland?
Can you use your Irish Revolut account in Switzerland? And what are the fees you pay when doing that? Read here.
