GBP to CHF

Who uses Swiss francs and for what

You probably need to exchange or move pounds to Swiss francs when you’re dealing with quite specific payments. For example, a banker relocating from London to Zurich or Geneva often keeps paying for UK expenses in pounds, but switches to covering Swiss obligations like rent in francs. Or parents might be sending funds for school or university fees, which are usually set in francs if the institution is in Switzerland.

If you're planning a long stay in the Alps, say a ski season in Verbier or Zermatt, or arranging to buy a watch from a dealer who insists on invoicing in Swiss francs, you’ll run into this currency pairing. Some clients choose to keep a Swiss bank account for holding savings and shift pounds in or out a few times a year. Or a collector may be paying for a large invoice. Sums on this route are often sizeable (compared to personal remittances elsewhere), and that means even a modest margin can matter. At the mid-market rate, 1000 pounds comes to 1,102.83 CHF. If you need to move money the other direction, use the CHF → GBP page; for a broader summary of the franc, check our Swiss Franc overview.

Why the Swiss franc doesn’t act like others

Switzerland hasn’t joined the EU or the eurozone, so it relies on its own currency, the Swiss franc, managed by the Swiss National Bank. The franc floats freely, yet the central bank sometimes steps into the currency market when the franc grows too strong. Back in January 2015, for instance, the Swiss National Bank dropped the euro floor it had defended since 2011 and the franc surged in a matter of minutes.

When financial markets become unsettled, many investors shift money into francs, seeing it as a relatively steady store of value. These shifts can move GBP/CHF a great deal, and quickly. Over the last year, the pair’s traded between 1.0382 and 1.1079, a swing of +4.59%. This is a cross currency rate, not as heavily traded as a dollar-based one, so some providers post wider margins. So it usually pays to compare before settling a payment.

How Swiss francs get to an account

Swiss accounts come with IBANs that always begin CH. There are exactly 21 characters in a Swiss IBAN, so you’ll want to double check every digit you type. Francs clear inside Switzerland through the SIC system; if you’re used to sending euros via SEPA, you need to know francs travel a distinct path.

Invoices from Swiss banks or companies now usually feature a QR-bill, which has the IBAN, payment reference and amount built into the QR code. You’re best off copying those details straight from the invoice if you’re paying from abroad. Making any mistake with the reference can slow or lose your payment, because it’s used to match funds to the right account, say for a landlord or school. Providers who pay out francs within Switzerland will often bypass heavy correspondent bank fees that direct international wires may bring. You can read more about these charges in our guide to intermediary bank fees. Not all transfer services are set up for local franc payouts, so check the options in the comparison above for the exact amount you plan to send.

What actually gets delivered in francs

If you send 1000 pounds, the lowest-cost provider we see right now is Wise, and their payout would be 1,097.49 CHF. Wise would charge 4.84 GBP on this amount; their total cost, counting the rate markup, is 0.48%. You’ll find the same for Revolut, currently 0.50%. For details on how we build the rankings, review our How we compare page. There are breakdowns at our Wise review and our Revolut review.

Each provider’s ranking can shift based on the amount you enter, so always compare with the precise figure you need to send before confirming a transfer.

Banks are usually less competitive on GBP/CHF. They often quote a franc rate with a wider margin rather than a separate, visible fee. That’s why understanding the exchange rate markup can make a notable difference, especially on a large expense like tuition or a home deposit.

Timing your transfer, bigger payments and requirements

Because the franc tends to react swiftly when markets move on risk, anyone sending for a set deadline, like a tuition bill or property purchase, should decide in advance just how much currency movement they’re comfortable accepting. You might consider a limit order, which allows you to wait and only transact if your target rate is hit. Or you could use a forward contract, which locks in an agreed rate for settlement on a future date.

It’s rare that you’ll need francs the same moment you arrange the purchase; payments are often for deposits or term fees and planned ahead. Switzerland has tight banking compliance and institutions will often ask for proof of a payment’s origin if the sum is sizeable. So have documentation to hand, our guide to source of funds explains what’s usually required for peace of mind. If you’re also handling payments to the eurozone, the GBP → EUR page gives you that route.