Should expats buy a car in Switzerland or import? We reveal the rules for owning a vehicle and driving on Swiss roads.

There are many places to buy new or used cars in Switzerland. That way, you don’t have to import a car if you plan to drive while moving. However, as in any other country, you need to think carefully before making a purchase and make sure you follow Swiss traffic and road regulations.

This guide on how to buy a car in Switzerland includes sections on:

Buying a car in Switzerland

Switzerland has a developed vehicle market and high-quality roads. Despite the excellent public transport network, many residents choose to drive. There are approximately 540 cars per 1,000 inhabitants – slightly more than one car for every two people. More than three-quarters (78%) of Swiss households own a car, and 82% of adults in Switzerland have a driver’s license.

Buying a car in Switzerland is quite easy and many choose to do so rather than import a foreign car when they move to Switzerland. You can buy cars from many places, including dealerships, online sales sites, and private sellers. In 2020, 336,841 new vehicles were registered. This is down 17.8% from 2019 and the lowest figure in 24 years. Although experts attribute this decline to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Who can buy a car in Switzerland?

Any Swiss resident with a valid driving license can buy a car in Switzerland. The legal driving age in Switzerland is 18 for cars (although it is 16 for some motorcycles and 14 for mopeds).

If you are a foreigner and you are buying a car, you will need a residence permit in Switzerland. This is usually a B (temporary) or C (settlement) permit, although other permits are available. This applies to both EU/EFTA citizens and third-country nationals.

Should you import or buy a car in Switzerland?

An alternative to buying a car in Switzerland is to import a car you already own. You can import most cars into Switzerland if they have been inspected, although the situation varies depending on how long you are staying and how long you have owned the car.

When you bring a vehicle into Switzerland, you must declare it to  Swiss customs  unless you are a short-term visitor and are importing it for less than 12 months. You will need to present it to  Swiss customs  along with the invoice/sales contract, registration certificate, import customs declaration and your personal ID.

Long-term residents can import a car duty-free if it has been used for at least six months outside of Switzerland. Newer cars (ie those less than six months old) will incur charges including:

  • Customs duties depending on the weight of the car – from 12 to 15 Swiss francs per 100 kg of empty car
  • Swiss VAT 7.7%
  • Vehicle tax 4%
  • The fee for the registration report is approximately 20 Swiss francs
  • A levy on CO2 emissions if emissions exceed a certain amount

Purchase versus import

When deciding whether to import or buy a car in Switzerland, there are several different things you should consider:

  • Costs  – Buying a new car can be more expensive, especially if you’re buying a new high-end model. However, there are numerous fees to consider when importing a car, including import duty (if the car is older than 6 months), repair costs if you need work done to get it through a local inspection, and maintenance fees upon arrival in Switzerland.
  • Time and Effort  – You need to weigh the time and effort it is likely to take to research the market and buy a car against the amount of paperwork required to import your car (which depends on your vehicle and your situation). If you buy a new car from a Swiss dealership, they will usually take care of registration and some admin functions for you.
  • Long-term considerations  – if you’re importing a car and eventually plan to sell or trade-in, how salable is it? Is there a market for this model?
  • How long you’ll be in Switzerland  – If you’re not sure you’ll be staying long, it may be easier to import rather than buy. Especially if you are staying for less than a year, in which case you don’t need to declare anything at customs.

In general, importing makes more sense if your car is newer or you may not be staying in Switzerland for a few years. Choosing to purchase a vehicle may be a better option if your existing vehicle is old and expensive to maintain, or if you are moving permanently.

Buying a new car in Switzerland

Buying a new car in Switzerland is obviously more expensive than buying a used car, but you get peace of mind knowing what you’re buying. Additionally, if you buy directly from a dealership, they may offer follow-up support, discounts on maintenance and other services. Also, many dealerships will register the car for you.

The requirements when you buy a car in Switzerland differ depending on where you are going to make your purchase. In general, you can expect to have to provide the following:

  • Valid identification such as a passport or ID card
  • Address confirmation
  • Residence permit in Switzerland
  • A valid driver’s license

Some Swiss dealerships will also insist that you purchase car insurance before they will let you leave the dealership.

Currently, Switzerland does not produce many of its own cars. The now defunct Monteverdi was a popular luxury brand until the 1980s. The most popular cars sold in Switzerland in 2020 (with estimated prices in brackets):

  • Skoda Octavia (35,000 Swiss francs)
  • Tesla 3 (55,000 Swiss francs)
  • VW Tiguan (45,000 Swiss francs)
  • VW Golf (35,000 Swiss francs)
  • Audi Q3 (50,000 Swiss francs)
  • Mercedes Benz A Class (45,000 Swiss francs)
  • Volvo XC40 (60,000 Swiss francs)
  • Fiat 500 (25,000 Swiss francs)
  • BMW X1 (50,000 Swiss francs)

You can compare prices for new cars in Switzerland on the  Comparis website  .

Some dealerships will let you pay in monthly payments or even offer leasing options, but you must be able to demonstrate good credit through your bank. Installment plans are usually more expensive overall. Many dealerships are willing to offer a discount for immediate payment or cash, so be prepared to negotiate.

Where to buy a new car in Switzerland

Car dealerships in Switzerland

You can find car dealerships all over Switzerland. These are official new car dealerships, and some also sell used cars. Dealerships usually have large showrooms with a variety of cars for sale both inside and outside the building.

Swiss car dealers include dealers associated with only one brand (such as Mercedes-Benz), large nationwide dealers that sell several brands (such as AMAG), and smaller regional or local dealers. Some dealers may allow you to take the vehicles for a short test drive to help you decide if you want to buy.

Dealers often also handle much of the initial paperwork, such as registering the car for you, and can offer additional support and services such as ongoing maintenance or car insurance. However, some dealers may not offer the cheapest prices on them, so it’s always worth shopping around. If the dealer does not register the car, they must give you an inspection report form (13.20A).

You can search for car dealers by brand or region on  garage-pages.ch  , which is a Swiss car dealer portal.

Buy a car in Switzerland online

Buying vehicles online has become more common over the past few years, especially since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, when people have become reluctant to visit car dealerships. The online car market is currently larger for used cars, but is predicted to grow for new cars in the coming years.

Some car brands and dealerships have started to switch to online sales. There are also a number of online car shops where you can search for the best deals. Popular sites include:

Buying a car online often involves visiting a dealership to deal with the paperwork and pick up the car. However, you can sort it all out online with some sites. It is even possible to arrange delivery of your vehicle through some online sites.

Although buying a Swiss car online is convenient and allows you to search the market in more detail and find the best deals, be aware of the disadvantages. You haven’t had a chance to test drive the car and make sure you’re comfortable in it, so check to see if there’s a cooling off period where you can return the car if you’re not happy. Also, buying online doesn’t allow you to negotiate a lower price or develop a relationship with a dealer that could lead to additional special offers.

Buying a used car in Switzerland

Buying a used car can be a great way to save money when traveling in Switzerland. Cars less than two years old sometimes sell for a fraction of their brand new price, which is music to any bargain hunter’s ears. However, as is always the case with any used purchase, you are less certain of what you are buying and less protected if something goes wrong than if you were buying new.

If you buy from a large dealer or through a large online broker, you are more likely to be protected than if you buy privately through an individual. However you decide to buy a used car in Switzerland, you should make sure that you get the following:

  • Sales contract or contract of sale  – it should contain the terms of sale, information about the vehicle, details about the buyer and seller and the warranty period. In Switzerland, this period is two years for used cars, but it can be extended or shortened. See a sample contract  here  .
  • Car report  – Swiss cars are required to undergo a mandatory  MOT  every few years. Cars older than four years will receive a technical inspection ticket. You can also check the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to check accident history, mileage, and more. There are several VIN decoding portals on the Internet where you can find information by typing in the VIN.
  • Information on the previous owner  – the cantonal  traffic authorities  have information on the owners of all vehicles registered in Switzerland. Just enter the license plate to find out.
  • Pre-registration certificate  – which may be required when registering a car in your name.

Swiss comparison site Comparis has a useful  checklist  when buying a used car in Switzerland.

Prices for used cars in Switzerland

Here’s a rough price guide for some of the most popular cars in Switzerland if you’re buying a two-year-old model:

  • Skoda Octavia (23,000 Swiss francs)
  • Tesla 3 (45,000 Swiss francs)
  • VW Tiguan (32,000 Swiss francs)
  • VW Golf (18,000 Swiss francs)
  • Audi Q3 (30,000 Swiss francs)
  • Mercedes Benz A Class (25,000 Swiss francs)
  • Volvo XC40 (38,000 Swiss francs)
  • Fiat 500 (14,000 Swiss francs)
  • BMW X1 (28,000 Swiss francs)

Where to buy a used car in Switzerland

Car dealerships in Switzerland

Many Swiss dealers sell used and new cars. You can also find dealers that only sell used cars, as well as those that specialize in vintage or classic cars.

Buying a used car from a dealership is probably the safest way to do this. Most reputable dealers will provide the necessary documents as usual. If not, you can request a sales contract and vehicle report before making the purchase.

Search for car dealerships at  garage-pages.ch  .

Buying a used car in Switzerland online

There are many sites in Switzerland that advertise used cars. They include:

Buying a car in Switzerland from a private owner

Today, many private car sellers in Switzerland use online sales portals to advertise their cars. However, some still choose more traditional routes. You can find car ads for sale on message boards, local forums, local newspapers and car magazines. The Swiss  Tourist Club (TCS)  also has a used car market for its members.

If you’re buying directly from an individual, make sure you:

  • Use a sales contract or sales contract. Check out the template here  .
  • Get the necessary documentation from the seller, including a vehicle report, existing vehicle registration details and a MOT if the vehicle is over four years old.
  • Pay money into escrow or a third-party holding service if you’re asked to pay up front before you pick up the car.

Car registration and other documents in Switzerland

All cars in Switzerland must be registered, whether new, used or imported. You will need to do this through your local cantonal  traffic authority  (website in German, French and Italian) unless you buy through a dealer who does it for you.

If you   move home   within the canton, you must notify the cantonal traffic authority of your new address within 14 days. When moving to another canton, you must register with the new traffic department within 14 days. You will receive a new number plate for your car. This is because Swiss license plates are linked to the name and address of the car owner. You will also need to   deregister   if you sell, trade in or scrap your car.

You will need to submit the following documents by mail or in person to the office:

  • A valid driver’s license
  • Residence permit in Switzerland
  • Address in Switzerland
  • Car insurance certificate
  • Inspection certificate for 13.20A for new cars (can be purchased at the dealership)
  • The original registration certificate for a used car
  • Inspection report for used cars older than four years

In addition to your vehicle registration certificate, you must also keep a copy of your vehicle insurance certificate in your vehicle at all times.

The cost of a car in Switzerland

The main costs to consider when you buy a car in Switzerland, apart from the actual purchase costs, are:

  • Registration  – Varies between cantons but can range from 50 to 300 Swiss francs for license plates, registration certificate and MOT.
  • Vehicle tax   – This varies between cantons and by vehicle, but can range from 100 to 800 Swiss francs per year. 
  • Motorway tolls   – You need to purchase a special license (  Autobahnvignette/vignette autoroutière  ) to use Swiss Autobahns. It costs 40 Swiss francs per year. 
  • Motor insurance   – can range from around CHF 300-400 per year for third party to CHF 1000-2000 for some fully comprehensive policies. 
  • Fuel costs   are currently around 1.52 Swiss francs per litre. 
  • Vehicle inspection  is required after 4 years and every 3 years thereafter. It costs about 130 Swiss francs.

On top of that are general maintenance costs, parking costs and the cost of things like car memberships. The average total cost of owning and driving a car in Switzerland is around CHF 700-750 per month, but it can be much cheaper or more expensive depending on your car and location.

Driving in Switzerland

You can drive in Switzerland using your foreign driving license for 12 months. After that, you will need to exchange it for a Swiss driver’s license. In general, driving in Switzerland is a pleasant experience. It is a very picturesque country with  the third safest roads  among all EU/EFTA countries.

Cars drive on the right and speed limits vary from 3 to 120 km/h depending on the type of road. Expect to be fined up to 260 Swiss francs for minor traffic violations and to be suspended, disqualified or even jailed for serious violations. The Swiss traffic police have a reputation for being quite strict, so you need to be careful.

The equipment you need for your car in Switzerland

Always have the following in your car:

  • Car insurance certificate
  • Vehicle registration certificate
  • Motorway toll/vignette sticker on your rear window
  • The red warning triangle that you must place behind the vehicle in the event of an accident.

I will sell a car in Switzerland

You can sell a car in Switzerland through car dealerships, garages or privately. You will need to provide vehicle registration details. Selling through a dealership is usually easier, but you may need to do some work to meet the required standards if the car is a few years old.

If you choose to sell privately, you can advertise on websites such as:

Make sure you have the necessary MOT documents if your car is four years old or older. Also, don’t forget   to deregister your car   after you’ve sold it.

Useful resources

Buying, importing and selling a car in Switzerland. How to buy a car in Switzerland? Sites for selling and buying cars in Switzerland.