Highways and affected roads in Switzerland

All highways and some expressways are subject to the vignette in Switzerland. The network is very dense and includes major routes such as Geneva–Lausanne, Lausanne–Bern, Zurich–St. Gallen, or Basel–Lucerne.

Even short sections around major cities or border connections are subject to the vignette.

Most motorway tunnels are included in the price of the annual vignette. However, some strategic transalpine tunnels remain subject to a specific toll, in addition to the vignette.

This is particularly true for the Grand Saint Bernard tunnel, which connects the canton of Valais to Italy, and the Munt la Schera tunnel, located in Graubünden. These tunnels are managed independently of the national highway network, and their fees vary depending on the type of vehicle, the season, or the time of day.

The Gotthard Tunnel, one of the most famous in Europe (nearly 17 km), is included in the vignette, just like the San Bernardino Tunnel.

Clear information is displayed at the entrance of each toll tunnel, but it is advisable to check the rates in advance, especially during holiday periods or for cross-border trips.

Driving without a vignette: zones and exceptions

In Switzerland, the highway vignette is mandatory for all vehicles under 3.5 tons traveling on highways (marked by a green sign). Unlike other European countries, there is no toll barrier system: the entire Swiss highway network operates on a vignette basis, valid for one calendar year.

It is theoretically possible to drive without a vignette by only using national, cantonal, or local roads, especially in certain rural or mountainous areas. However, in practice, it is extremely difficult to visit or cross Switzerland without passing through at least one motorway segment, especially if you come from a neighboring country. Many tunnels, bridges, or strategic bypasses are part of the vignette-required network.

For safety reasons, it is strongly recommended to purchase the vignette, even for a short stay, a simple transit passage, or quick access to a city. The Swiss police are known for their strict checks, and the fine for non-compliance is 200 CHF, in addition to the price of the vignette to be purchased immediately.

What types of vehicles need a vignette in Switzerland?

The vignette is mandatory for all motor vehicles up to 3.5 tons, including cars, light commercial vehicles, vans, and motorhomes.

Motorcycles are also affected.

Vehicles over 3.5 tons fall under a different specific taxation system, based on weight and kilometers traveled (RPLP).

Validity period of the Swiss vignette

The Swiss motorway vignette is distinguished by its unique format in Europe: it is only available in an annual version. There is no weekly, monthly, or quarterly vignette as in other countries.

Where to buy your vignette for Switzerland?

To drive legally on Swiss highways, you can purchase the annual vignette in two formats:

• Online: the most convenient solution is to order your Swiss e-vignette via EuroVignette. In just a few clicks, your license plate is registered, you securely pay for your purchase, and you receive a confirmation email with the electronic vignette.

• At physical sales points: if you prefer the traditional sticker, the vignette is available at many gas stations located near Swiss borders (France, Germany, Italy, Austria) and at official sales points (post offices, highway offices). However, it is common to wait in line, and a date verification is often necessary.

Important to know: SNCF, border exchanges, and large stores do not always have constant physical stocks, and during peak season, shortages are possible. That’s why online purchase remains the safest, fastest, and most efficient solution.

Penalties for not having a vignette in Switzerland

Driving on Swiss highways or expressways without a valid vignette, whether physical or electronic, results in an immediate fine of CHF 200, in addition to the obligation to pay for the vignette (CHF 40).

Checks are frequent at the border as well as in internal areas and are carried out by both customs officers and cantonal police.

Any improperly affixed, damaged, or non-transferable vignette is considered invalid, even in digital form. Additionally, attempting to use a counterfeit one constitutes a criminal offense, subject to prosecution by the Public Prosecutor's Office.

Highways in Switzerland: a developing network subject to vignette

The Swiss highway network is recognized for its quality, safety, and precision. With over 1,800 kilometers of toll roads in the form of a vignette, it covers the entire country and allows for quick connections between major Swiss cities (Geneva, Lausanne, Bern, Zurich, Basel, Lugano) as well as transit routes to Italy, France, Germany, and Austria.

The specifics of the highway network in Switzerland

Swiss highways are known for their excellent trilingual signage (French, German, Italian), the safety of infrastructures (notably tunnels and viaducts in mountainous areas), as well as regular maintenance in all seasons, even in winter. Some sections include remarkable structures, such as the Gotthard Tunnel (nearly 17 km) or the covered galleries protecting the high-altitude roads.

The highways are identified by green signs, followed by a number (e.g., A1, A2, A9) and are in excellent condition, even in mountainous areas thanks to numerous exceptional infrastructures: tunnels, viaducts, protective galleries.

The main routes are:

A1: from Geneva to St. Gallen, via Lausanne, Bern, and Zurich A2: from Basel to Chiasso, passing through Lucerne and the Gotthard tunnel A9: along the Valais, from Lausanne to Brig A3: between Zurich and the Grisons region (Chur)

Finally, centralized management by federal authorities ensures service uniformity across the country, with well-equipped rest areas, strictly controlled speed limits (120 km/h on highways), and particular attention to environmental impact.

Can an electronic vignette be transferred in Switzerland?

Can an electronic vignette be transferred in Switzerland?

No, the electronic vignette is neither transferable nor modifiable once purchased! It is automatically linked to the license plate entered at the time of ordering and remains valid only for that specific vehicle for its entire validity period.

This means you cannot:

• Transfer a vignette to another vehicle (even in case of sale, exchange, or temporary replacement)
• Correct a typo on the license plate after payment validation
• Change the validity period after purchase

What to do in case of an error?

If you entered an incorrect license plate or selected the wrong type of vignette, the vignette becomes invalid and you risk a fine in case of a check, even if payment has been made.

No modification or refund procedure is provided by the authorities, which is why it is essential to check all information before confirming your order.

When placing your order on EuroVignette, you can quickly contact our customer service in case of an error at the following address: support@euro-vignette.com

Before any purchase, take the time to verify the accuracy of your license plate (spelling, format, any spaces), confirm the type of vehicle, the desired duration, and the start date of validity. Keep your proof of purchase by email in case of inspection or dispute. If in doubt, do not hesitate to contact our customer service available 24/7 before placing your order.

Driving in Switzerland: rules of conduct and local specifics to know

Driving in Switzerland requires adherence to a number of strict rules, rigorously enforced by the authorities.

Main rules to follow

• Seatbelt mandatory for all passengers
• Using a phone while driving is prohibited (except with a hands-free kit)
• Low beam headlights always on, day and night
• Strict adherence to right-of-way rules (priority to the right unless otherwise signaled)
• The blood alcohol limit is set at 0.5 g/l, but drops to 0.1 g/l for professional drivers and new license holders (less than 3 years).

Speed limits (unless otherwise indicated)

Why buy your vignette on EuroVignette?

At EuroVignette, our mission is simple: to allow you to hit the road in Europe with peace of mind, without wasting time, without administrative stress, and without the risk of fines. Purchasing your vignette from us means choosing simplicity, security, and reliability. We provide you with an official vignette recognized by local authorities. Your license plate is registered in the national system, so you are compliant in case of automatic or manual checks. Manage all your European trips on a single platform. Whether you are driving in Bulgaria, Austria, Slovenia, or elsewhere, you can order your vignettes in one place, in just a few clicks.