In Switzerland, the first Christmas market now bans cash.
The “Polarzauber” Christmas market at Zurich Central Station in Switzerland prohibits cash. Therefore, in the market starting on November 20, payments can only be made by card or smartphone, reports Swiss “Blick”. Anyone who does not comply with the requirements will be subject to a fine of 500 francs. This equates to around 540 euros.
Christmas markets prohibit cash – there is a risk of a fine of 540 euros
If a stall operator continues to accept cash, he is not only threatened with a fine – he can also be expelled from the Christmas market because of his stall. The ban did not meet with everyone’s approval. One stall owner complained that he could lose sales if guests were not allowed to pay with cash.
Other Christmas markets also rely on cashless payments
The Christmas market at Zurich Central Station is not the first market to go completely cashless. At the following Swiss Christmas markets you can only pay by card or smartphone:
- Bern
- Lucerne
- another market in Zurich
Why is cash banned?
But why do Swiss Christmas markets adopt such a radical anti-cash policy? Market operators argue here with security. Therefore, it is safer to pay electronically than carrying cash. Another thing is that operators take part in the sale of stands, as “Blick” reports. Of course, there is no money to be taken lightly here. It is not known how much turnover the stand operator must declare. Organizers spoke to “Blick” about a “standard market model” that works to “finance infrastructure and services fairly.”
