Politics · Switzerland · 5 hrs ago
Zurich parliament backs cash-acceptance rule for city-funded businesses
Zurich’s city parliament voted to require municipal and city-subsidised businesses to accept cash.
The motion passed by 74 votes to 44, despite opposition from the city council.
The debate followed cashless payment policies at the Kunsthaus Zürich and the Christmas market at the main railway station, both of which later brought cash payments back after public criticism.
Supporters said cash can protect anonymity and help people who struggle with technology or rely on cash.
A proposed requirement for private businesses on public land was removed from the motion over concerns about economic freedom.
The city council must now prepare a change to the city’s rules, but the requirement is not yet in force.
Zurich’s city parliament backed a motion requiring city-run and city-supported businesses to accept cash.
The motion passed despite opposition from the city executive, which said payment methods should be decided pragmatically by each business.
The proposal originally included private businesses operating on public land, but that provision was removed over concerns about economic freedom.
Reports give different vote totals: 74 to 44 in 20 Minuten and 73 to 44 in cash.ch.
The city executive must now prepare an amendment to the municipal code.
- Who
- Zurich’s city parliament backed a motion submitted by the Alternative Left.
- What
- The motion would require city-run and city-supported businesses to accept cash.
- When
- The parliament voted on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.
- Where
- Zurich, Switzerland.
- Why
- Supporters cited privacy, access for people who rely on cash, and concerns about technical barriers.
Motion supporters
Motion opponents
Need for a rule
Motion supporters
Supporters said cash acceptance protects privacy and helps people who cannot or do not use cards or smartphones.
Motion opponents
The city executive said a general obligation was unnecessary and payment methods should be handled pragmatically by each business.
Private businesses on public land
Motion supporters
The motion initially sought to include these businesses, but the provision was removed after concerns about economic freedom.
Motion opponents
FDP, GLP and Mitte representatives objected to imposing the rule on private businesses.
The Kunsthaus Zurich temporarily switched to cashless payments.
The Kunsthaus and the Christmas market at Zurich main station restored the option to pay in cash.
The Alternative Left submitted a motion seeking to require cash acceptance; a provision covering private businesses on public land was later removed.
Zurich’s city parliament approved the amended motion, and the city executive was tasked with preparing a municipal code amendment.
- Scope
- City-run and city-supported businesses
- Vote
- 74 to 44, according to 20 Minuten; 73 to 44, according to cash.ch
- Motion proposer
- Alternative Left
- Removed provision
- Private businesses operating on public land
- Next step
- City executive to prepare an amendment to the municipal code
2 sources
What people are saying
Must children carry a card to buy small things?
Imagine the grandfather standing at a stall with his grandchild, unable to buy a gift with his 20-franc note.
Kunsthaus and the Christmas market at the main station responded to public pressure; there is no need for an obligation.
The businesses should decide that themselves; this is not a government task.