Though they are less than a decade old, the colourful Monopoly-esque Swiss franc notes we all know and love today are already in the process of being replaced. The Swiss National Bank (SNB) is set to launch a public competition, asking for ideas for what the next generation of franc notes will look like.

Swiss franc notes already halfway through their lifespan

In a statement, the SNB confirmed that the next generation of Swiss franc notes is already in the works. Though the bank assured that the current notes are still secure and usable, they are already halfway through their lifespan - typically 15 to 20 years.

The colourful ninth generation of Swiss banknotes was rolled out in April 2016. Created by Lucerne graphic designer Manuela Pfrunder, each note depicts a “typically Swiss characteristic”, from timekeeping on the yellow 10-franc note - shown by a Swiss watch and the rail network - to language, which was showcased by debates being held in the four national languages at the federal parliament in Bern.

New Swiss franc design to be launched in the 2030s

Now, SNB President Martin Schlegel confirmed to reporters that the 10th generation of Swiss banknotes will be issued “by the early 2030s at the earliest.” He announced that between February and July 2025, budding artists can submit their designs, which will then be analysed by a board of experts. This winner will be announced in 2026, who will then be paid to develop the design further.

The SNB has strict criteria for the new banknotes, noting that they must be easy for humans and machines to distinguish and able to withstand the “rigours” of daily use. They must also be hard to counterfeit and sport the latest security features - in 2008, the Guinness Book of World Records claimed that the eighth generation of Swiss banknotes was the most secure in the world.

Submitted designs must showcase the topography of Switzerland

Designers must also adhere to the theme chosen by the SNB: the topography of Switzerland. Therefore, the 10 franc note must show the “lowlands” like Swiss cities, the 20 the rolling hills of the Mittelland, the 50 the Juran mountains, the 100 the foothills of the Swiss Alps, the 200 the low Alps and the 1.000 must show the highest peaks.

The SNB said it hoped that the design would showcase the vivid diversity of Swiss wildlife, people and landscape. Members of the general public will also have their say on the submitted designs via a yet-to-be-released online survey.

In all, Schlegel said that he was very excited about the new design, adding that they “are convinced that cash will remain a widely used means of payment in the future." With the latest data suggesting that a quarter of all transactions in Switzerland still involve cash, the vibrant designs will be part of life in the alpine nation for many years to come.