Publication of designs

Between February and July 2025, twelve teams drew up designs for the new banknote series as part of a design competition. The theme of the new banknote series is 'Switzerland and its altitudes'.

Survey

On behalf of the SNB, the opinion polling company Demo SCOPE AG conducted a survey among the Swiss population between 13 August 2025 and 7 September 2025. The SNB is inviting all interested parties to evaluate the banknote designs and express their opinion. The survey can be accessed via the website on which the designs are published.

The results of the survey, together with an evaluation of the banknote designs by an advisory board made up of experts from a range of disciplines, will be factored into the selection of the future banknotes. The evaluation of the designs by the advisory board and the public will take place without any knowledge of which team created which designs.

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.

Next steps

The six teams with the best-rated designs will be admitted to the second phase of the competition, during which they will draw up their proposals for a possible commission to realise the banknote designs. During this phase, the SNB will also clarify with the designers the framework for any further cooperation.

As specified in the competition regulations, the six remaining concepts will be evaluated based on the banknote designs submitted in the first phase of the competition (60%) and the review of the proposals as well as the suitability for cooperation in the second phase of the competition (40%). The conditions for the design competition can be found in the competition regulations.

The SNB will announce the winning team at the beginning of 2026. The new banknotes will enter circulation at the beginning of the 2030s at the earliest.

Design competition participants

Until 11 December 2024, any designer working in Switzerland could apply to take part in the design competition. In total, over 300 designers submitted applications. Based on criteria such as the quality of their portfolio to date, the creativity of their designs, and their professional qualifications, the SNB selected the following twelve teams and individuals to participate in the competition:

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

Announcement

In October 2024, the SNB announced that it was to begin developing its tenth 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.