Contactless payment is extremely common in Switzerland, with nearly 84% of all card transactions being contactless as of 2024. It is widely accepted for payments up to 80 Swiss francs without a PIN at shops, restaurants, and vending machines. Mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay) and TWINT are also very popular.
In Switzerland, NFC technology lets you make contactless, cashless transactions by credit card, debit card, phone, or wearable device without having to enter a PIN or give your signature. The time savings are practical for both merchants and customers.
The 2023 Swiss payments survey by moneyland.ch shows that use of Apple Pay remains marginal in Switzerland. Only 24 percent of residents consider Apple Pay to be indispensable, compared to 78 percent who consider credit cards indispensable, and 79 percent who consider cash to be indispensable.
Debit and credit cards are also a primary payment method, accepted everywhere for all types of purchases. While digital payments are popular, Swiss people still value and use physical cash, the Swiss Franc, for reasons of privacy and as a store of value.
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How to pay in Switzerland as a tourist?
The most commonly accepted payment options are cash, credit cards and debit cards. Credit cards and debit cards are accepted almost everywhere. The most common are Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Maestro. It is advisable to check in advance...
For the most part, the Swiss population can still choose between paying with cash, payment cards and payment apps when shopping and visiting restaurants. However, cash is less and less accepted in retail trade and on public transport.
Sweden has officially become the first country in the world to go completely cashless. Almost every shop, café, and public transport system in Sweden now accepts only digital payments like cards or mobile apps. The popular app “Swish,” launched in 2012, is used by millions of Swedes to send and receive money instantly.
The 2/3/4 rule for credit cards is a guideline, notably used by Bank of America, that limits how many new cards you can get approved for: no more than two in 30 days, three in 12 months, and four in 24 months, helping manage hard inquiries and credit risk. It's a strategy to space out applications, preventing too many hard pulls on your credit report and helping maintain financial health by avoiding over-extending yourself.
Despite being a modern economy, Switzerland still has a strong cash culture. The Swiss franc (CHF) is the official currency and some places, particularly in rural areas, may not accept cards. Cash is commonly used in smaller stores, local markets and for tipping, though tipping is not mandatory.
You will have an option to pay through Contactless up to a maximum of €50 per transaction within the existing limits. (Please note that the €50 Contactless limit is a limit set by Visa in Ireland).
You can use your debit or credit card at shops, restaurants and cash machines while you're away. Fees may apply when using your card outside the UK. Switch on notifications in mobile banking so you know when money goes in or out of your account.
Apple Pay has been existing in Switzerland since 2016. The requirements for using Apple Pay is that the credit card details are stored on the iPhone, on the iPad or on the Apple Watch.
Should I get Swiss francs before going to Switzerland?
To save time upon arrival, it can be handy to purchase some Swiss francs before you depart. Your bank may charge fees for both cash withdrawals through ATMs and credit/debit card payments.
Euros are generally accepted in tourist areas, but you might receive Swiss Francs as change, so always have some CHF on hand. Using a Visa card at ATMs is one of the easiest ways to obtain Swiss Francs, but check your bank's fee policy beforehand.
In addition to this, little shining Swiss crosses are visible inside the number 20. On the front of the note (position D) is a perforated Swiss cross. Hold the note up to the light: the finely perforated Swiss cross appears especially clearly. The cross is made up of a grid of equidistant holes.
The UK is rapidly moving towards being a low-cash, but not fully cashless, society, with digital payments dominating, yet cash remains crucial for millions, especially vulnerable groups, leading to government efforts to protect access via legislation, banking hubs, and ATMs, even as some businesses go card-only and digital ID plans emerge. While cash use has plummeted (less than 10% of payments in 2024/25), the Bank of England and officials stress that a completely cashless system isn't feasible or desirable yet, focusing on maintaining choice and access for everyone, including the elderly and low-income individuals.
Contactless payments are very common in Switzerland. In fact, 99% of cards in circulation have this feature enabled and 84% of payments at POS are contactless. The limit for these payments is 80 Swiss francs. If you spend a bigger amount, you'll have to enter your PIN.
No, you cannot use British Pounds (GBP) as the official currency in Switzerland; the local currency is the Swiss franc (CHF), so you must exchange your pounds for francs for cash, though your bank cards (debit/credit) are widely accepted but always choose to pay in CHF to avoid poor exchange rates from Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). While some places might take Euros, it's not guaranteed, and you'll need some cash for small vendors like mountain huts or lockers, so get some Swiss francs before or upon arrival.
