Swiss vignette – costs and points of sale
Switzerland: Vignette & Driving Info for Drivers
Neutral overview for using Swiss motorways and expressways. Always keep your purchase receipt/confirmation with you.
What Is the Swiss Vignette?
To use motorways and expressways, Switzerland requires an annual vignette (available as a physical sticker or an e-vignette). Number plates may be checked electronically. Vehicles over 3.5 t are subject to a separate heavy vehicle charge rather than the vignette.
Who Needs a Vignette? Vehicle Coverage
| Vehicle | Vignette required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger cars ≤ 3.5 t | Yes | Required on motorways/expressways. |
| Motorcycles | Yes | Needs its own vignette. |
| Motorhomes ≤ 3.5 t | Yes | Same rule as passenger cars. |
| Trailers / Caravans ≤ 3.5 t | Yes, separate | A separate vignette is required in addition to the towing vehicle’s vignette. |
| Vehicles > 3.5 t | No vignette | Subject to the heavy vehicle fee (LSVA). |
e-Vignette vs. sticker: The e-vignette is linked to your licence plate (handy for interchangeable plates). The sticker is attached to the vehicle itself.
Validity & Price
- Price: CHF 40 (same for sticker and e-vignette).
- Validity: 14 months — from 1 December of the previous year to 31 January of the following year.
- Note: There are no daily/weekly/monthly vignettes.
Where Does the Vignette Apply?
On virtually all motorways and expressways. A few special structures (e.g., certain alpine tunnels/passes) may charge separate fees — these are signposted locally.
Fines & Consequences
- Without a valid vignette: a standard fine of CHF 200 plus the obligation to purchase a vignette.
- Incorrect mounting (sticker) or incorrect data (e-vignette): treated as invalid use and may be sanctioned.
Tip: For the e-vignette, enter plate/country correctly. For the sticker, apply it cleanly on the inside of the windscreen (trailers: on a clearly visible part).
Speed Limits
| Road type | Cars & Motorcycles |
|---|---|
| Built-up areas | 50 km/h |
| Outside built-up areas | 80 km/h |
| Expressways | 100 km/h |
| Motorways | 120 km/h |
| Road type | With trailer / combinations |
|---|---|
| Built-up areas | as signposted (typically 50) |
| Outside built-up areas | typically 80 km/h |
| Expressways | often 80–100 km/h (per signage) |
| Motorways | typically 80 km/h for outfits |
Always follow posted signage; temporary limits (weather, works) are common.
Motorcycles, Motorhomes & Trailers
- Motorcycles: vignette required (own vignette).
- Trailers/Caravans: separate vignette required (in addition to the towing vehicle).
- Motorhomes: ≤ 3.5 t: vignette; > 3.5 t: heavy vehicle fee (LSVA).
Emergency Numbers
- European emergency: 112
- Police: 117
- Fire brigade: 118
- Ambulance: 144
- Air rescue (REGA): 1414
Quick Tips
- Buy/activate the vignette in time; double-check plate, country, and start date.
- Sticker: apply cleanly and visibly inside the windscreen. e-Vignette: plate-linked (useful for interchangeable plates).
- Don’t forget a separate vignette for trailers/caravans.
- Keep documents handy: registration, insurance, driving licence, purchase confirmation.