Majority of Swiss Support Abolishing Five-Centime Coin, Survey Shows

The verdict is in, and the days of the golden five-centime coin appear numbered. A staggering 54% of the Swiss population now demands the abolition of the nation's smallest currency unit, marking a pivotal shift in public sentiment. This is not merely a suggestion; it is a clear mandate revealed by the latest precious metals study from the University of St Gallen (HSG) and Philoro. For decades, the "Fünfräppler" has cluttered wallets and weighed down pockets, but now, the majority of Swiss citizens are ready to bid it farewell.

The data paints a picture of a pragmatic nation ready to modernize. While the coin holds a certain nostalgic value, its practical utility has plummeted in an era of rapid transactions and digital efficiency. The survey, conducted between July and September 2025, confirms that the tipping point has been reached. Switzerland is no longer debating the utility of the five-centime piece; it is actively calling for its removal.

While the national average sits at 54%, the true insurrection against small change is being led from the south and the west. Ticino has emerged as the undisputed leader of this movement, with an overwhelming 80% of residents stating they would be happy to see the coin vanish. This is not a split decision; it is a consensus. French-speaking Switzerland follows closely behind, with 68% advocating for the coin's removal, creating a powerful united front across the "Röstigraben" and "Polentagraben."

In stark contrast, German-speaking Switzerland remains the bastion of hesitation, where opinions are evenly balanced. Christian Brenner, CEO of Philoro Switzerland, explicitly attributes the national majority to this surge of sentiment from the Latin regions. The cultural divide is sharp and undeniable: while the German-speaking cantons cling to tradition, the French and Italian speakers are aggressively pushing for a streamlined, coin-free future. This regional disparity highlights a broader trend of differing economic attitudes within the confederation.

Do not mistake the hatred for the five-centime coin as a rejection of physical money. Cash is staging a formidable comeback. The study reveals a critical paradox: while the Swiss want to ditch the smallest coin, their loyalty to cash is intensifying. Only 11.2% of respondents in 2025 support the total abolition of cash, a significant drop from 12.4% in 2024 and a massive plunge from 28% in 2023. The trend is crystal clear—the Swiss people are digging in their heels to protect their banknotes.

This resilience challenges the global narrative of an inevitable cashless society. The Swiss are refining their relationship with money, discarding the inconvenient aspects—like the five-centime piece—while fiercely defending the anonymity and tangible security of physical currency. Even in Ticino, where 80% want the small coin gone, only 21.5% would support a fully cashless system. The message to the Swiss National Bank is loud: streamline the currency, but do not dare take away the cash.

The battle lines over currency are not just drawn by geography, but by age and class. The survey exposes a widening generational and socioeconomic gap. Younger respondents are leading the exodus from physical currency, showing a markedly lower attachment to cash than their older counterparts. This digital-native generation views physical money as an option, not a necessity, driving the statistics on coin abolition.

Furthermore, wealth and education accelerate this detachment. Individuals with higher incomes and advanced education levels are statistically more likely to abandon coins and notes in favor of digital solutions. As Switzerland's demographics shift and the digital-native population grows, the pressure on physical currency will evolve. However, for now, the data suggests a complex future: a Switzerland that demands the convenience of digital payments while stubbornly holding onto the right to pay in cash—just preferably without the five-centime coins.