Important decision
The Swiss referendum of 8 March 2026 did not accept the popular initiative “Cash is freedom”, which wanted to explicitly enshrine cash and the Swiss franc in the constitution. However, the voters simultaneously approved a government and parliamentary counter-proposal that enshrines in the constitution the obligation to provide cash to the economy and confirms the Swiss franc as the country’s currency.
The initiative itself failed: 54.39% of voters voted against it and the proposal did not even win a majority of the cantons. On the other hand, the direct counter-proposal was adopted by a large majority of 73.39% and with the agreement of all the cantons. In the Stichfrage, the decision-making question in the event of the two texts being adopted simultaneously, the voters preferred the counter-proposal by 62.63% to 37.37%. The practical impact is limited: even according to the Swiss Government, the main issue is the transfer of existing legal rules to the constitutional level, not the introduction of new obligations or costs.
The debate on constitutional cash protection has parallels in the Czech Republic, albeit in a different form. Already in 2022, a group of senators submitted a proposal to constitutionally enshrine the right to cash payments; the Senate rejected it in February 2023. Subsequently, a broader initiative linked to the “right to be offline” emerged, opposing the mandatory use of digital means alongside cash, and in 2023 the government deemed the parliamentary proposal for a constitutional right to pay in cash redundant. In contrast, the government’s current programme statement of January 2026 already explicitly promises to propose enshrining both the Czech crown and the right to hold and use cash in the Czech Constitution.
Our team of experienced attorneys will help you solve any legal issue. Within 24 hours we’ll evaluate your situation and suggest a step-by-step solution, including all costs. The price for this proposal is only CZK 690, and this is refunded to you when you order service from us.
In person and online. Just choose the appropriate service or opt for an independent consultation when you are unsure.
