- In Switzerland, only annual vignettes are sold, there are no short-term ones
- Motorcycles, cars up to 3.5 tons and trailers must be stamped
- Drivers of vehicles over 3.5 tons do not need a vignette, but pay a freight toll
The cost and validity of the vignette in Switzerland is 2023
Price list of Swiss vignettes for vehicles up to 3.5 tons 2023
| Motorcycles | Cars up to 3.5 tons | Passenger cars over 3.5 tons | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual | 39 euros | 39 euros | fixed fee for heavy vehicles |
The annual vignette is valid for 14 months, valid from the beginning of December to the end of January of the following year. So if you need a vignette for a trip in, say, December, it’s better to buy a vignette for the following year.
An additional vignette is mandatory for trailers and caravans.
You can find clear information about the Swiss vignette at ch.ch.
It is expected that an electronic vignette will be introduced from 2023. This electronic vignette is likely to be available for purchase in online stores. The electronic vignette will be linked to the car’s registration number.
Toll for vehicles over 3.5 tons
Vehicles whose gross weight exceeds 3.5 tons are subject to a fixed fee of 3.19 euros per day (the minimum fee is 24.57 euros). It is paid for using any public road at any time. Detailed information can be found at evz.admin.ch .
Where to buy Swiss vignette 2023
Where to buy a vignette in Switzerland
The vignette, the so-called vignette, can be purchased in Switzerland at post offices , gas stations , customs and sales points of the TCS Swiss Automobile Club . The list of outlets can be found on the official website evz.admin.ch . The site is available in German, French, Italian and English.
The use of Swiss motorways is tolled. It is charged in the form of an annual “vignette”, which costs 40 Swiss francs and is valid from 1 December of the year preceding the vignette until 31 January of the year following the vignette. The motorway toll applies to all cars and trailers registered in Switzerland or abroad, which are not subject to the heavy vehicle toll. The obligation to have a vignette usually applies to all cars and trailers weighing up to 3.5 tons.
Users can choose between two payment methods:
- a regular sticker , properly affixed to the vehicle, which serves as proof of payment, or
- an electronic version (electronic vignette – from August 1, 2023), which motorists can purchase in the online store of the Federal Department of Customs and Border Security (FOCBS) by registering their vehicle number plate.
Abroad, the sticker price :
| Earth | Currency zone € | UK | Denmark DK | Poland PL | Czech Republic CZ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Currency | Euro | GBP | DKK | zlotys | CZK |
| Price | 42.00 | 35.50 | 319.00 | 207.00 | 1040.00 |
The price of an electronic vignette in the online store is 40 Swiss francs. The actual price of an e-vignette purchased abroad depends on the prevailing exchange rate and any fees charged by the credit card provider.
Where to buy a Swiss vignette in Europe
| Country | Website |
|---|---|
| Austria | ARBOE ÖAMTC |
| Belgium | TCB |
| Czech Republic | UAMK ABA |
| Denmark | FDM |
| Finland | Automobile Association |
| France | ACMBACA |
| Germany | ADAC ACE AVD ACV |
| Italy | ACI TCI |
| Luxembourg | ACL |
| Netherlands | ANWB |
| Poland | PZM |
| Spain | RACE |
| United Kingdom | Switzerland Travel Centre |
Paid sites in Switzerland 2023
Toll sections of motorways and expressways in Switzerland
- A1: St. Margreten – St. Gallen – Zurich – Bern – Lausanne – Geneva – France A41
- Motorway A2: Germany A5 – Basel – Lucerne – Stans – Altdorf – Bellinzona – Italy A9
- Motorway A3: France A35 – Basel – Zurich – Sargans
- Autostrada A4: Germany – Schaffhausen – Zurich – Altdorf
- Motorway A5: Lutherbach – Solothurn – Neuchâtel – Yverdon-les-Bains
- Motorway A6: Biel/Bienne – Bern – Vimmis
- Autostrada A7: Germany – Frauenfeld – Winterthur
- Motorway A8: Spitz – Zarnen – Hergiswil
- Motorway A9: Baillagues – Lausanne – Sion – Sierre, Eyholz – Brig-Glis
- Autostrada A12: Bern – Freiburg – Vevey
- Autostrada A13: Sankt Margreten – Chur – Bellinzona
- Motorway A14: Emmen – Holzhäusern
- Motorway A16: France – Delemont – Biel/Bienne
Map of freeways and toll roads in Switzerland
For an up-to-date map of freeways and toll roads in Switzerland, visit Fedro.maps .
Areas subject to a special fee can be found on the following maps
In addition to tolls on the motorway network, the two tunnels leading to Italy, the Gran San Bernardo and the Mont la Chera, are subject to tolls in Switzerland.
Tolls for the Mont-la-Châre tunnel in winter 2023
One-way ticket
| Motorcycles | Cars up to 3.5 tons | |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday – Friday | EUR 12.78 (e-ticket EUR 10.81) | EUR 24.57 (e-ticket EUR 19.66) |
| Saturday | EUR 12.78 (e-ticket EUR 10.81) | 34 euros (29 euros e-ticket) |
Return ticket (no validity period for the return journey)
| Motorcycles | Cars up to 3.5 tons | |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday – Friday | EUR 19.66 (e-ticket EUR 16.71) | 41 euros (34 euros e-ticket) |
| Saturday | EUR 19.66 (e-ticket EUR 16.71) | 49 euros (41 euro electronic ticket) |
Greater St. Bernard Tunnel Taxes 2023
The amount of the Grand Saint Bernard Tunnel toll depends on the vehicle category.
There are several categories:
- A1: Motorcycles
- A2: Cars up to 3.5t with a total height of up to 2m
- B1: vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tons with an overall height of 2 to 3 meters
- B2, B3: trucks and buses with two axles and a height of more than 3 meters
| Motorcycles A1 | Car A2 | Car B1 | AutoB2, B3 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| went | 18.18 euros | 30 euros | 48 euros | 83 euros |
| There and back within 30 days | 24.08 euros | 49 euros | 76 euros | 134 euros |
In addition to the above price list, it is possible to take advantage of special offers for 10 or 20 transfers that are valid for two calendar years. With more frequent use, the crossing prices are much more favorable.
Highways in Switzerland: Speed limits in Switzerland
General speed limits
- Outside the village: 80 km/h
- On the road for vehicles: 100 km/h
- On the highway: 120 km/h
Fines for driving without a vignette in Switzerland
Drivers without a valid vignette will pay a fine of 197 euros and must also immediately buy the cartoon. In general, it costs 236 euros to drive without a vignette . Drivers who affix the vignette incorrectly or repeatedly will pay the same high fine.
Where to attach the Swiss vignette
Stick the stamp over the entire surface in the lower left corner, in the upper left corner or in the center near the rear view mirror. Choose a place where it does not block the view and where it can be clearly seen from the outside. For a motorcycle, put a mark in the lower left corner of the inside of the windshield. For a caravan, place it on the windscreen like a car. Instructions can be found on the back of the sticker.
Fines for speeding in Switzerland 2023
Switzerland probably has the most extensive ticketing system. At stake is also prison, at least a year! Exceeding the speed is categorically not advised, the Swiss themselves are very decent drivers. Watch out for other offenses such as throwing cigarette butts out of the car, failing to show a turn signal, running a red light, all of which are severely fined. There is also the concept of a daily fine (German: Tagessatze) which is calculated according to your income and standard of living, so you are effectively obliged to pay a certain amount every day.
Speeding in residential areas in Switzerland
- 1-5 km/h: 39 euros
- 6-10 km/h: 118 euros
- 11-15 km/h: 246 euros
- 16-17 km/h: 393 euros
- 18-19 km/h: 590 euro license revocation notice
- 20-24 km/h: disqualification for 1 month, 30 daily fines
- 25-29 km/h: disqualification for 3 months, 50 daily fines
- 30-34 km/h: disqualification for 3 months, 90 daily fines
- 35-39 km/h: disqualification for at least 3 months, minimum 120 daily fines
- over 40 km/h: at least one year of imprisonment
Speed in a municipality in Switzerland
- 1-5 km/h: 39 euros
- 6-10 km/h: 118 euros
- 11-15 km/h: 246 euros
- 16-20 km/h: 393 euros
- 21-24 km/h: 590 euros, license suspension for 1 month
- 25-29 km/h: disqualification for 1 month, 20 fines per day
- 30-34 km/h: disqualification for 3 months, 50 daily fines
- 35-39 km/h: disqualification for 3 months, 70 daily fines
- 40-49 km/h: disqualification for at least 3 months, minimum 120 daily fines
- over 50 km/h: at least one year of imprisonment
Speed in villages in Switzerland
- 1-5 km/h: 39 euros
- 6-10 km/h: 98 euros
- 11-15 km/h: 157 euros
- 16-20 km/h: 236 euros
- 21-25 km/h: 393 euros,
- 26-29 km/h: 590 euros, license suspension for 1 month
- 30-34 km/h: disqualification for 3 months, 20 daily fines
- 35-39 km/h: disqualification for 3 months, 30 daily fines
- 40-44 km/h: disqualification for 3 months, 50 daily fines
- 45-49 km/h: disqualification for at least 3 months, 90 daily fines
- 50-59 km/h: disqualification for at least three months, minimum 120 daily fines
- over 60 km/h: at least one year in prison
Speed on the track in Switzerland
- 1-5 km/h: 19.66 euros
- 6-10 km/h: 59 euros
- 11-15 km/h: 118 euros
- 16-20 km/h: 177 euros
- 21-25 km/h: 256 euros
- 26-30 km/h: 393 euros
- 31-34 km/h: 590 euros, license cancellation for 1 month
- 35-39 km/h: disqualification for 3 months, 20 daily fines
- 40-44 km/h: disqualification for 3 months, 30 daily fines
- 45-49 km/h: disqualification for 3 months, 50 daily fines
- 50-54 km/h: disqualification for 3 months, 60 daily fines
- 55-59 km/h: disqualification for 3 months, 70 daily fines
- 60-64 km/h: disqualification for 3 months, 90 daily fines
- 65-79 km/h: disqualification for a minimum of three months, a minimum of 120 daily fines
- over 80 km/h: at least one year in prison
Penalties for driving in Switzerland 2023
- Violation of traffic light rules – 246 euros
- Driving without seat belts – 98 euros
- Violation of pedestrian traffic rules at pedestrian crossings – 138 euros
- Using a mobile phone while driving is EUR 98
- Driving without lights on – 39 euros
- Overtaking on the right side of the highway – 246 euros
- Failure to create an emergency lane on the highway – 98 euros
Driving in Switzerland 2023
Mandatory car equipment in Switzerland
- Warning triangle
A car first aid kit, a reflective vest and a fire extinguisher are only recommended.
The motorcycle driver and his passenger must wear a protective helmet.
Tires
In Switzerland, there is no legal obligation to install winter tires on your car. It is recommended to change tires before the first snowfall, i.e. between October and Easter.
Winter tires are mandatory in winter conditions (snow, ice, frost). The minimum tread depth of winter tires is 4 mm.
Mandatory use of anti-skid chains is regulated by appropriate road signs at each section.
Safety belts
All vehicle occupants must wear seat belts.
Children in the car
Children under 12 years old must sit in a special child seat or in an additional seat if they are less than 150 cm tall.
Children over 150 cm tall and over 12 years old must wear a seat belt.
Children must be secured in a seat appropriate for their weight and age. The child seat must have the correct ECE safety label.
In principle, children can sit on the passenger seat regardless of age. If your vehicle is equipped with airbags, rear-facing child seats can only be used if the front passenger airbag is deactivated.
The fine for transporting an unprotected child under the age of 12 is 59 euros.
Alcohol while driving
The Federal Road Traffic Act (LCStr) contains tougher penalties for young (novice) and professional drivers. For them, the zero blood alcohol level applies, and for experienced drivers – 0.5‰.
- 0.5 (0.1 for novice drivers and professional drivers) – 0.79 ‰ – for the first violation a warning and a large fine depending on income and standard of living; repeat offenders (up to 2 years) or drivers who violated other rules or caused an accident will be disqualified for at least one month
- more than 0.8 ‰ – revocation of license for at least three months with a fine and imprisonment for up to three years
For information on drink driving in Switzerland, visit ch.ch.
Daylight
Cars (cars, minibuses, trucks and buses) and motorcycles must have their headlights on during daylight hours. Mopeds, electric bicycles and vehicles registered before 1970 are exempt from this requirement.
Rules for driving in a convoy
Failure to create a so-called shoulder on the highway will result in a fine of 98 euros. The same fine is imposed on drivers who do not observe the hinged system in the narrowing of the track.