Motorway tax Switzerland for vehicles under 3.5 T

In Switzerland, it is mandatory to have a vignette Switzerland to drive on motorways or national roads of class 1 and 2.

Just like in Hungary or Bulgaria, the Switzerland vignette can be purchased physically, but also online. Therefore, you can buy the Switzerland vignette both online and from the 6 physical locations that we will describe in the next section.

Switzerland vignette where to buy?

To purchase the Switzerland vignette at a sales point, you have 6 locations at your disposal:

  1. Customs points;
  2. Gas stations;
  3. Post offices;
  4. Offices of road traffic authorities;
  5. Tourist spots;
  6. Other designated points.

After purchasing the Swiss vignette, the next step is to stick it on the windshield in a visible place so that the Swiss authorities can check its validity.

The price of the vignette Switzerland does not include passing through tunnels such as the Grand St. Bernhard Tunnel and Munt la Schera, where a special fee must be paid.

To paste the Switzerland vignette correctly, follow these steps:

  1. Remove the protective film from the vignette.
  2. Attach the vignette to the inside of the windshield. The specific place for sticking must be strictly observed, otherwise you risk receiving significant fines.
  3. Usually, the vignette should be affixed to the top of the windshield, on the driver’s side, or in the middle, behind the rear-view mirror.

It is important to note that a vignette already stuck on the windshield becomes null and void the moment it is removed and cannot be reapplied.

Switzerland vignette

Vignette Switzerland online

To avoid additional stress when you arrive in Switzerland, you can choose to pay online the Switzerland toll roads.

The easiest and fastest way to buy a vignette Switzerland online is through the Toll Shop app. You download the application, select the country, enter the vehicle data and pay with the bank card, directly in the application. You can purchase vignettes for several countries or for several vehicles and go on your travels without any problems!

In another way, you can access the dedicated platform and buy Switzerland vignette simply and conveniently. Through this platform, you can fill in the necessary details, make the payment and receive the vignette in electronic format, thus avoiding the need to purchase it at a physical point in Switzerland.

To benefit from this option, you can enter here to purchase the vignette Switzerland online.

Vignette Switzerland price

There is a mandatory vignette for using motorways in Switzerland, which is unique in that you cannot opt for multiple validity periods. The price of the vignette is 40 Swiss francs (CHF), roughly equivalent to 40 euros, and has a standard validity period of 14 months.

It is important to note the following useful information about the Switzerland vignette:

  • Payment method: If you purchase the Switzerland 2023 vignette at Swiss customs, you can also pay in euros, pounds sterling or dollars, but only in cash, in the case of these currencies. It is recommended to have the exact amount in the desired currency with you to make the payment at the customs points.
  • Validity period: The Switzerland Vignette has a standard validity of 14 months. It is important to check the expiry date specified on the vignette to ensure that you are legally driving on Swiss motorways.

Do I need a Switzerland vignette for the trailer?

Yes, trailers with a total weight of up to and including 3.5 tonnes, which are towed by a motor vehicle, need their own vignette in Switzerland.

This means that both the vehicle towing the trailer and the trailer itself must be equipped with a valid vignette. It is important to ensure that both vehicles comply with the requirements for purchasing and displaying the vignette while traveling on Swiss roads.

Switzerland tunnel tolls

Great Saint Bernard

One pass 29.50 CHF (~29.92 €)
2 passes (in 30 days) 47.30 CHF (~47.97 €)
10 passes (in 2 years) 118 CHF (~119.67 €)
20 passes (in 2 years) 159 CHF (~161.25 €)

Munt la Schera

Monday e-ticket Sunday-Friday Saturday
December-April Two way 35 CHF (~35.50 €) 42 CHF (~42.59 €)
One pass 20 CHF (~20.28 €) 29 CHF (~29.41 €)
May-November Two way 25 CHF (~25.35 €) 25 CHF (~25.35 €)
One pass 15 CHF (~15.21 €) 15 CHF (~15.21 €)

Fine for Swiss vignette

Switzerland vignettes are strictly verified through three systems:

  1. Mobile and stationary checks by the Federal Customs Administration: These checks can be carried out on Swiss roads to check that drivers have valid vignettes.
  2. Fixed control stations on heavily trafficked road sections: There are fixed control stations located on certain sections of heavily trafficked roads, where the authorities can check the presence of a valid vignette on motor vehicles.
  3. Additional checks by the cantonal police: The police in the various Swiss cantons may carry out additional checks to verify compliance with the vignette requirement.

It is important to note that if you drive on Swiss roads without a valid vignette, you can receive a fine of 200 Swiss francs (~202 euros). Care must be taken to ensure that the vignette is correctly affixed to the windscreen, as failure to do so may result in a fine and the subsequent purchase of a valid vignette.

Vignette Switzerland for vehicles over 3.5 T

In Switzerland, the authorities apply a “federal” tax generically called LSVA (Heavy Performance Vehicle Tax) for vehicles with a total weight of more than 3.5 tons.

The calculation base for LSVA is determined according to the following factors:

  • the total permissible weight (hzG) of the vehicle or combination of vehicles;
  • distance traveled, expressed in kilometers;
  • the toll rate, which varies according to the EURO class of the vehicle.

There are three categories of LSVA tax, which you can check here.

Careful! The LSVA charging method will be stopped by the end of 2024, being completely replaced by the EETS system.

In addition to LSVA, there is another tax called PSVA (Heavy Fixed Vehicle Tax) which applies to passenger vehicles with a gross weight of more than 3.5 tonnes.

There are several ways to pay road tax in Switzerland:

  • through an EETS (European Electronic Road Toll System) unit on board the vehicle;
  • using an identity card (ID card) and a processing terminal;
  • via an Emotach PRHVC on-board unit;
  • through fuel cards.
Switzerland vignette

Toll device for Swiss vignette

From 2025, EETS will be the only payment option of Swiss toll for trucks with a maximum authorized mass of more than 3.5 tonnes transiting Switzerland.

Thus, we recommend that you equip your vehicles with the EETS device, to facilitate the process of paying the Switzerland vignette fees.

The toll machine is installed on board the car very easily, and the amounts of money are withdrawn automatically according to the amount needed to cross Switzerland.

Fine for vignette Switzerland

If you do not make the payment through the EETS charging system, you do not have the account loaded with the required amount of money or it does not work, you risk a fine of approximately 202 EURO.

Carefully check the completion of the payment for the Switzerland vignette, to ensure that you will not receive a fine.