CHF and Euros

Hello friends - I hope Euros are acceptable currency in Switzerland. If you pay in Euros, do you get back change in Euros too or would that be in CHF?

Hello psatishmenon,

Normally spoken you will have to pay in Swiss Francs. Some shops do accept Euros, but will give you the change in CHF.

Have a nice trip,

And those that will take Euros will give you a very unfavorable exchange rate.

Thanks to all for the help in understanding this.

kim11 said: And those that will take Euros will give you a very unfavorable exchange rate.

Given that the euro rate is pegged that's not likely. Most businesses will convert at 1.2/0.8, there's really no reason not to.

While that is certainly true, I have seen smaller businesses grudgingly accept Euros but only on a one-for-one basis (1 Euro = 1 CHF)

I think you're getting confused about the rate. A couple of years ago the rate was nearly 1:1 and the euro was in freefall. People were reluctant to accept euros as there was no telling what they'd be worth by the time you got them to the bank. Obviously that wasn't good, in fact it was so bad that people are still telling stories about it on the internet two years later. So the rate is pegged now and we're quite happy to take euro's at the official rate. We can't do change in euros as no one is going to keep a float with coins in euros. In fact, like most people I'd rather take euros in cash than an american express card or similar which is one of several reasons why people are happy to accept euros.

Well, all I know is that last summer I saw with my own eyes staff at a mountain inn/restaurant only willing to do a 1:1 for Euros. It didn't impress me that there was concern about the value of the Euro, just the hassle factor of needing to get to a bank to exchange the Euros for CHF. More difficult for folks that live in the mountains and don't get to town very often.

For those that live or frequently visits towns with bank branches I agree for sure that Euros are better than a credit card with all the fees!