Switzerland, a country known for its picturesque alpine landscapes, impressive infrastructure, and high quality of life, has been charging tolls for the use of its highways and express roads for decades.
The toll systems in Switzerland are well-organized and relatively easy to manage, although they have some peculiarities for first-time visitors. This guide covers all aspects of tolls in Switzerland: from costs and validity periods to specific regulations for heavy vehicles.
Whether you're a tourist traveling through the Alps, a frequent driver passing through, or a commuter in Switzerland: Here, you'll find all the necessary information to avoid fines and ensure a smooth journey.
In Switzerland, the roads are in excellent condition. This applies not only to highways and express roads but also to many smaller, less trafficked roads that lead through the mountains or rural areas.
Switzerland invests heavily in the maintenance and expansion of its transport network, which is especially costly due to the country's geographical features. The famous Swiss Alps require the construction and upkeep of tunnels, bridges, and winding mountain passes to ensure mobility across the country.
The tolls, collected through the vignette system, play a crucial role in financing these infrastructure projects.
Tolls also help Switzerland address the environmental impacts of road traffic. By building an efficient and sustainable road network, Switzerland contributes to reducing CO₂ emissions and promoting alternative transportation modes.
These revenues not only enable the modernization of the existing network but also the construction of new, environmentally friendly roads and tunnels that meet international standards.
The toll system in Switzerland is divided into two main categories:
Both systems are strictly regulated, and violations of the toll regulations can result in heavy fines. Especially in Switzerland, known for its discipline and efficiency, such violations are not tolerated and can be recorded both upon entry and exit from the country.
In Switzerland, all highways and express roads are subject to tolls. This applies to vehicles of all categories that must adhere to the vignette requirement or the LSVA system. However, there are also toll-free roads that you can use if you want to avoid the tolls.
Some of the main toll roads include:
In addition, many express roads and national roads are also toll roads.
In addition to the general vignette requirement, there are some road sections in Switzerland where additional fees apply. This mainly concerns tunnels and mountain passes, which present significant engineering challenges and require regular maintenance.
Switzerland offers a variety of roads that are not subject to tolls, and there are indeed opportunities to avoid the toll without giving up the comfort of driving. Below are some of the main alternatives described.
Cantonal and local roads:
Off the highways and express roads, Switzerland has a well-developed network of cantonal and local roads. These roads lead through scenic landscapes and often pass through charming, lesser-known villages and towns. Using these roads can help you avoid the vignette.
An example is the route from Konstanz to Kreuzlingen, which does not connect to the highway but still offers a direct link between Germany and Switzerland.
Avoiding toll roads offers several advantages. In addition to saving the vignette fee, it provides the opportunity to discover Switzerland off the tourist trails.
These roads are less trafficked and therefore often provide a quieter and more scenic drive. However, there are challenges. The roads are often narrower, curvier, and pass through inhabited areas, which can result in longer travel times and increased concentration needed while driving.
More on the topic of "avoiding tolls" can be found here.
There are some exceptions to the vignette requirement in Switzerland:
A special feature of the Swiss toll system is that there are no short-term vignettes. Therefore, those traveling through Switzerland for only a few days or weeks must still purchase the annual vignette. This rule may seem inconvenient to some travelers but ensures easier management and contributes to the country's continuous income.
The vignette can be purchased in various ways. It is available at border crossings, gas stations, post offices, many kiosks, and in our online shop. Tourists or travelers entering with their own vehicle are advised to purchase the vignette before entering to avoid long waiting times at the border.
The sticker vignette must be clearly visible on the inside of the windshield, preferably at the lower left or behind the rearview mirror. For motorcycles, the vignette must be attached to a non-removable, clearly visible part of the vehicle, such as the fork or the fuel tank.
It is important that the vignette is properly attached, as improperly attached vignettes may be considered invalid, which could lead to fines. It is also forbidden to attach the vignette to removable parts like sun visors or similar items.
The digital vignette is digital, and the validity is automatically checked via the license plate number. Therefore, there is no need to place a sticker on the windshield when a digital vignette is purchased.
A digital vignette saves you stress and time. You can simply purchase your vignette online from home without needing to buy it on-site.
Billing and payment: Billing is done electronically. There are two main options:
This system allows for precise recording of usage and encourages the use of more environmentally friendly vehicles by offering financial incentives for switching to lower-emission models.
Driving on toll roads without a valid vignette or without proper registration in the LSVA system can result in high fines in Switzerland.
The fines start at 200 CHF (approximately 210 EUR) for cars and motorcycles, and can be even higher for trucks and buses. It is also possible that the vehicle will be impounded until the outstanding toll fees are paid.
The Swiss authorities take the toll system monitoring very seriously. Many highways and border crossings have automated control stations that capture and check the license plates of vehicles to see if a valid vignette is present.
Mobile checks by the police are also widespread, especially in heavily frequented areas and tourist hotspots.
From 1985 to 1994, the price for the vignette was 30 CHF per year, and was increased to 40 CHF per year after a referendum on January 1, 1995. The price of 40 CHF per year is still valid in 2023, after a referendum successfully opposed a proposed increase in 2013. The vignette is valid for 14 months, always from December 1st of the previous year to January 31st of the following year. The vignette for 2023 is valid from 12/01/2022 to 01/31/2024, and the vignette for 2024 is valid from 12/01/2023 to 01/31/2025.
Until August 2023, the Swiss vignette was only available as a physical sticker, which could be purchased at customs offices, post offices, rest areas, gas stations (in Switzerland and in the border region), or road traffic offices. The sticker must be attached directly to the inside of the windshield at the left edge or behind the rearview mirror. The validity year is marked using the year number along with changing color combinations.
On August 1, 2023, the digital vignette (E-Vignette) was introduced in Switzerland. However, there are no plans for the E-vignette to replace the sticker vignette. Both systems are intended to coexist in parallel. For the E-vignette, the car's license plate is registered, and the validity of the vignette can be automatically checked via a database. The E-vignette offers several advantages over the sticker vignette:
The toll system in Switzerland is an integral part of using the road network. The relatively simple rules of the vignette requirement and the LSVA system make it easy for most drivers to comply with the toll regulations.
Whether you are a tourist, frequent traveler, or commuter – with proper preparation, you can avoid unnecessary fines and enjoy the stunning scenery of Switzerland without worries.
By paying the toll fees on time and following the regulations, you also help keep Swiss roads in top condition.
