The Swiss Motorway Vignette Explained

Navigating Switzerland's extensive motorway network requires a valid motorway vignette. This guide provides all essential information on what it is, how to get one, and important rules to follow.

Switzerland motorway sign with vignette and mountains in the background
Quick Facts
  • Cost: 40 CHF (fixed annual fee)
  • Validity: Dec 1 of previous year to Jan 31 of next year
  • Required for: Most motorways and expressways
  • Types: Physical sticker & e-vignette

The Swiss vignette system is unique: there are no pay-per-use tolls on most motorways. Instead, a single annual sticker grants you access. Non-compliance can lead to significant fines, so it's crucial to understand the rules before you hit the road.

The Swiss motorway vignette is a mandatory sticker or digital permit required for all vehicles (up to 3.5 tons) using the national motorways (Autobahnen) and semi-motorways (Autostrassen). It's a flat-fee system, not distance-based, and is valid for a calendar year, from December 1st of the preceding year to January 31st of the following year. This means a 2024 vignette is valid from December 1st, 2023, until January 31st, 2025.

It acts as proof that you have paid the annual road usage fee. Without a valid vignette, using these roads is illegal and can result in considerable fines.

Understanding the two available types of vignettes is crucial for a hassle-free journey in Switzerland:

Physical Sticker Vignette

This is the traditional adhesive sticker that must be affixed directly to your vehicle's windshield. It should be placed clearly visible, typically behind the rear-view mirror or on the left side of the windshield (for left-hand drive vehicles). It must NOT be taped, removed, or transferred to another vehicle, as this invalidates it.

Diagram showing correct placement of Swiss physical vignette on a car windshield

Incorrect placement or damage to the sticker can lead to fines.

E-Vignette (Digital Vignette)

Introduced in August 2023, the e-vignette is linked digitally to your vehicle's license plate. This means no physical sticker is needed. It offers greater flexibility, especially for those changing license plates or vehicles, as the e-vignette can be transferred online. It's automatically controlled by license plate recognition systems.

Digital interface showing e-vignette concept with license plate

The e-vignette requires correct license plate entry during purchase.

To avoid scams and ensure validity, always purchase your vignette from official sources:

For Physical Stickers:

  • Swiss Border Crossings: Available at customs offices upon entry to Switzerland. This is the most common and recommended point of purchase for tourists.
  • Post Offices: All Swiss post offices sell vignettes.
  • petrol/Gas Stations: Most petrol stations near the border or on motorways sell them.
  • Customs Offices: At any Swiss customs office.
Sign indicating vignette point of sale near a border crossing

For E-Vignettes (Digital):

  • Official Federal Customs Portal: The only official online channel is the "Via Portal" operated by the Federal Customs Administration (FCA). Be cautious of unofficial third-party websites that may charge inflated prices or sell invalid vignettes. Always buy from the official e-vignette portal.

The current price for a Swiss motorway vignette is CHF 40.00 (Swiss Francs). This price is fixed and does not change regardless of when you buy it during the year. There are no options for shorter validity periods (e.g., weekly or monthly vignettes).

Validity: A vignette purchased for a given year (e.g., 2024 vignette) is valid from December 1st of the previous year (e.g., December 1st, 2023) until January 31st of the following year (e.g., January 31st, 2025).

  • Example: A 2024 vignette purchased in July 2024 still expires on January 31st, 2025.
  • Tip: If you plan multiple trips across two calendar years (e.g., December and February), you will need two vignettes (one for each year).

The vignette is required for all motor vehicles (including motorcycles) and trailers/caravans with a total weight of up to 3.5 tons, whenever they use Swiss motorways. This includes:

  • Cars: All passenger cars require a vignette.
  • Motorcycles: Motorcycles also require a vignette.
  • Trailers/Caravans (up to 3.5t): If you are towing a trailer or caravan that also falls under the 3.5-ton weight limit, it requires its OWN separate vignette. This means a car towing a caravan needs two vignettes.
  • Motorhomes: Motorhomes up to 3.5 tons require a vignette. Larger motorhomes (over 3.5 tons) fall under a different heavy vehicle charge system (LSVA).
Various vehicles including car, motorcycle, and car with trailer on a motorway

Important: Vehicles over 3.5 tons (e.g., heavy trucks, large buses, and sometimes very large motorhomes) are subject to the Swiss Heavy Vehicle LSVA (Leistungsabhängige Schwerverkehrsabgabe) toll system, not the vignette.

Drive Worry-Free in Switzerland!

By understanding and adhering to the Swiss vignette system, you ensure a smooth, legal, and stress-free journey through the stunning Swiss landscapes.

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