Using Pictures of Paper Money in Switzerland

Legally Using Illustrations of Swiss Paper Currency

Reproduction of Swiss banknotes is permissible as long as it meets certain restrictions that prevent the reproduction from being mistaken for genuine banknotes. The reproduction must meet one of five criteria: reduced to less than half of original size, enlarged to double the original size, use of less than 40% of one side of original, use of materials other than paper or paper-like material, or reproduced in distinctly different colors from original currency.

EXTRACT FROM "Instruction sheet concerning the reproduction of banknotes"

B) Admissible reproductions

In the case of contraventions of article 243 of the Penal Code federal jurisdiction is applicable. In the interest of legal security, however, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) has drawn up guidelines that set the limits within which the SNB considers banknote reproduction to be free of risk. The SNB does not see any danger of confusion with genuine banknotes in the cases which, by way of example, are listed below:

1. Reduced-size reproductions whose surface does not exceed half of the original banknote.

2. Enlarged reproductions whose surface is at least double that of the original banknote.

3. Partial reproductions of any size provided less than 40 percent of one side of the original banknote is reproduced.

4. Reproductions on a material which can indisputably and easily be distinguished from paper (reproductions on foodstuffs and hard products such as metal, glass, stone, wood, etc.).

5. Reproductions of a colour immediately distinguishable from that of any banknotes currently in use as legal tender.

Reference: http://www.snb.ch/e/banknoten/content_merkblatt.html

The information on this page is based on information presented on the government Web site referenced above at the time this article was placed online. Check the site (http://www.snb.ch) for updates and changes to the law prior to relying on the information presented here.