The Swiss National Bank has published results from its third Payment Methods Survey of Companies, conducted in spring 2025, covering around 1,900 firms across selected industries and an additional sample of roughly 30 large retailers and public transport companies. The survey indicates that cash acceptance in retail is now lower overall than in 2023, while customers at physical points of sale generally still retain a choice between cash, payment cards and mobile payment apps. All selected retailers and most other companies in retail and hospitality continue to accept the payment methods most commonly used at physical points of sale. Public transport companies, in particular, plan to restrict cash acceptance over the next two years, mainly by stopping cash payments at ticket machines and in vehicles, citing the costs of obtaining and returning cash. On cash logistics, most companies report that the time required to reach their most frequently used cash supply and return point is below what they consider the maximum acceptable, but one in three companies does not want to spend any more time than it currently does. The Swiss National Bank has made a report with selected results and additional charts available on its website.
Swiss National Bank 2025-10-30
Swiss National Bank publishes 2025 company payment methods survey showing lower cash acceptance and planned cash restrictions in public transport
The Swiss National Bank's third Payment Methods Survey reveals a decline in cash acceptance in retail since 2023, though customers still have options between cash, cards, and mobile payments at physical points of sale. Public transport companies plan to limit cash acceptance, citing cost concerns. The report and additional charts are available on the Swiss National Bank's website.