Project new banknote series
Development of new banknote series
The SNB is developing a new banknote series. In doing so, it is ensuring that Swiss banknotes continue to meet the latest standards with regard to functionality and security over the long term.
Winner of design competition
Emphase Ltd has won the design competition for the new banknote series with its submission, Concept J. The SNB is commissioning Emphase Ltd, under the direction of Fabienne Kilchör and Sébastien Fasel, to design the new banknotes.
Concept J, submitted by Emphase Ltd, conveys the theme 'Switzerland and its altitudes' convincingly and is very suitable in terms of the banknote development process. In both the public survey and the evaluation by an external advisory board, Concept J was placed in the top three designs. It achieved the best overall result when commercial and organisational criteria were taken into account.
Concept J: Emphase Ltd
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Next steps
The content, graphics and technical security of the concept will be developed further in the coming months. The ultimate design of the banknotes may differ significantly from the concept submitted to the competition. The Bank Council is responsible for taking the final decision on the design of the banknotes. The SNB expects the new banknotes to be issued at the beginning of the 2030s, at the earliest.
Design competition participants
The SNB would like to thank all participants for submitting their creative and high-quality designs. As a token of its appreciation, the SNB will be exhibiting all 12 concepts submitted by the designers in the SNB Forum at Fraumünsterstrasse 8 in Zurich.
The exhibition will be open to the public every day from 5 to 15 March, from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm.
Exhibition: Design competition for tenth banknote series
SNB Forum
Fraumünsterstrasse 8, Zurich
05.03.2026 - 15.03.2026
Daily from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm
We look forward to your visit.
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Theme
The theme of the new banknote series is 'Switzerland and its altitudes'. It pays homage to the country's unique topography, from the Jura and the Central Plateau to the Alps, and depicts Switzerland from its deepest valleys to its highest peaks. The new series aims to reflect the diversity of life at the various altitudes.
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Advisory board
The advisory board consists of the following six members:
- Christine Abbt, Professor of Philosophy, University of St. Gallen
- Carine Bachmann, Director, Federal Office of Culture
- Andrea Dreier, Graphic Designer, Lecturer, Member of Management Board at Swiss Graphic Design Association
- Beat Kneubühler, Director, dpsuisse and viscom (trade associations for print and communications industry)
- Gordon Nemitz, Co-CEO, thjnk Zürich AG communications agency
- Johannes Schaede, Board Member, Orell Füssli Ltd
Why new banknotes?
Banknotes and coins are legal tender in Switzerland. Although cash usage has declined in recent years, cash remains a widely used payment method. Around one in three payments in Switzerland is settled with cash. The vast majority of people in Switzerland would like to retain the option of paying with cash in the future, and have the choice of paying either with cash or electronically.
Unlike cashless payment methods, cash has specific advantages that are attributable to its physical properties - it is available to everyone and is simple to use. Paying by cash requires neither a device nor electricity. With cash, payments can thus be made reliably even in situations where, for example, the power fails or cashless payment methods cannot be used for some other reason. Cash can also help to protect privacy and make it easier to control spending.
One of the SNB's statutory tasks is to ensure the supply and distribution of cash commensurate with demand for payments. It does everything in its power to ensure that Swiss banknotes are secure and state-of-the-art in the long term. As technology develops quickly, the SNB must constantly work to stay ahead so that counterfeit notes can be detected as easily as possible. Ongoing development in terms of security technology and the redesign of the banknotes is therefore central to the fulfilment of the SNB's mandate.
Information and contact details for banknote equipment manufacturers (BEMs)
As a manufacturer of cash processing equipment, you play a key role in ensuring security when it comes to the supply and distribution of cash.
If you have any questions, in particular with respect to testing procedures with Swiss banknotes or the new banknote series, please contact the responsible unit at the SNB.