Switzerland Vignettes | Key information
Vignettes in Switzerland apply to vehicles with a gross vehicle weight up to 3.5 tonnes, motorcycles, and trailers. They cannot be purchased with a backdated start. When placing an order, you should check the vehicle details and the selected dates very carefully, as there is no option to edit them later. The Swiss system provides only one type of vignette — the annual vignette.
Where are vignettes required?
Most motorways and expressways in Switzerland are tolled.
Who must buy one?
Vehicles up to 3.5 t gross weight, motorcycles, and trailers must have a valid vignette.
How to buy?
Order vignettes for Switzerland through our service – you will receive your PDF confirmation within minutes.
Official seller
The official seller and operator of motorways in Switzerland is the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO).
You don't need to print your vignette!
After purchase, the e-vignette will be available on the order completion page, which is sent to you by email once the order is processed. Vignettes are checked automatically through a system of cameras installed along the tolled roads.
Toll sections in Switzerland
In Switzerland, a vignette is required on all national roads, i.e. motorways, expressways, and high-speed roads. The network of toll sections is extensive and is shown on the map below:
Charges in the form of vignettes Map of toll sections
List of toll sections National roads A1–A16
| Number | Route |
|---|---|
| A1 | Geneva – Lausanne – Berne – Zurich – St. Gallen |
| A2 | Basel – Lucerne – Gotthard – Lugano – Chiasso |
| A3 | Basel – Zurich – Sargans |
| A4 | Zurich – Schaffhausen |
| A5 | Yverdon-les-Bains – Biel/Bienne – Solothurn |
| A6 | Berne – Thun |
| A8 | Spiez – Interlaken – Sarnen |
| A9 | Lausanne – Montreux – Martigny – Sion – Brig |
| A12 | Berne – Fribourg – Lausanne |
| A13 | St. Margrethen – Chur – Bellinzona – Mesocco |
| A14 | Zurich – Lucerne |
| A16 | Biel/Bienne – Delémont – FR border |
Tunnels and bridges Sections with an additional charge
On the border with Italy, two tunnels require a separate fee:
- Munt La Schera tunnel
- Great St. Bernard tunnel
The cost depends on the vehicle type and the number of passages.
Types and validity of Swiss vignettes
Validity period Validity of Swiss vignettes
In Switzerland, unlike in other countries, only one type of vignette is available — the annual vignette, which is valid for 14 months — from 1 December of the preceding year until 31 January of the following year. This does not mean, however, that the vignette can be purchased with a backdated start, as the validity of the vignette begins at the moment of purchase.
Vignette categories Matching the vignette to your vehicle
Vehicles in Switzerland are divided into 3 categories:
| Category name | Vehicle type |
|---|---|
| Motorcycles | Two-wheeled vehicles, vehicles registered as a motorcycle |
| Passenger cars, vans, campervans | Vehicles with a gross weight up to 3.5 tonnes |
| Trailers | Trailers towed by vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes |
Heavier/larger vehicles must be registered in the LSVA system (Leistungsabhängige Schwerverkehrsabgabe).
Swiss vignettes Prices
| Vignette type | Vehicle | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Switzerland vignette for 1 year | Motorcycle | 51.00 € |
| Switzerland vignette for 1 year | Car up to 3,5 t | 51.00 € |
| Switzerland vignette for 1 year | Trailer up to 3,5 t | 51.00 € |
Placing and editing orders
Switzerland vignettes Placing orders
Switzerland vignettes can be purchased online, ideally before leaving home, to avoid the risk of problems on the way, e.g. malfunctioning terminals, or issues with your bank or card. To buy a vignette, in addition to choosing the vignette type and its validity period, you must provide:
- the vehicle registration number,
- the country of vehicle registration,
- the vignette start date.
Paying for the order does not mean you may immediately use the tolled roads in Switzerland. You must wait for the correctly purchased vignette to be delivered, usually around 15 minutes after the order has been paid for.
Spaces and hyphens
Incorrectly entered hyphens and/or spaces in the vehicle registration number are irrelevant and do not result in a penalty charge.
Errors and mistakes Editing and refunds
In Switzerland a vignette cannot be refunded once its validity has started — regardless of whether the border has been crossed. In the case of a mistaken purchase of a CH vignette, you must buy a new one with the correct details (only the annual vignette is available). A damaged/destroyed sticker does not entitle you to a free replacement. The same applies to e-vignettes purchased by mistake. Exception: a documented double purchase of an e-vignette for the same vehicle/registration number — in this case you may apply for a refund of the duplicate (proof of both purchases is required).
Inspections and fines
Monitoring system Road inspections
Switzerland uses a combination of manual and electronic methods to enforce the vignette obligation:
- Stickers — checked visually by BAZG officers during road/border inspections (verifying correct placement).
- E-vignettes — monitored by ANPR systems (plate recognition) on key sections and by mobile patrols; the data is compared with the central BAZG database.
BAZG operates within the Swiss Federal Department of Finance.
Penalties Fines for no CH vignette
Driving without a valid vignette results in a fine of CHF 200 payable on the spot during the inspection, plus the obligation to buy a vignette (CHF 40).
The total sanction is about CHF 240 (approx. € 256).
Don't risk a fine!
Order a Swiss motorway vignette by clicking the button below. Choose the right type and pay securely online. Your purchase confirmation will be sent to your email.
Frequently asked questions | FAQ
Who is exempt from vignettes in Switzerland?
The police, emergency services, and selected diplomatic vehicles. Trailers towed by motorcycles and tricycles do not require a vignette. If you leave the motorway at the first junction after crossing the border, a vignette is not required.
What are the speed limits in Switzerland?
- 50 km/h in built-up areas,
- 80 km/h outside built-up areas,
- 100 km/h on expressways,
- 120 km/h on motorways.
What car equipment is mandatory?
A warning triangle is mandatory. When travelling with a trailer, each vehicle must carry its own triangle.
Can vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tonnes use vignettes?
No! The vignette system in Switzerland is intended exclusively for vehicles below 3.5 tonnes. If you want to pay for the passage of a vehicle weighing more than 3.5 tonnes, you must use the NMTS (HVC) system available on the website www.via.admin.ch
Do I need a separate Swiss vignette for the trailer?
Yes! In Switzerland, both the car (the towing vehicle) and the trailer must each have their own vignette.
Can you buy a vignette for 1 day or 10 days in Switzerland?
No! In Switzerland, only the annual vignette is available. This means that even if you travel a short section of a tolled road just once, you must buy this vignette.
Does the vignette for Switzerland need to be displayed in a visible place?
When buying a vignette online (an electronic vignette), there is no need to stick or display any documents in a visible place. Inspection is carried out automatically by scanning registration numbers. If you have purchased a physical vignette (a sticker), follow the instructions printed on its reverse.
Can the vignette for Switzerland be sold or transferred to another car?
No! The Swiss vignette cannot be transferred to another car or resold to the owner of another vehicle. The vignette is strictly assigned to the vehicle.