Your Essential Guide to Swiss Motorway Vignettes

Understand the requirements, find out where to buy, and ensure a smooth, penalty-free journey on Switzerland's breathtaking roads.

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What is a Vignette and Why is it Required?

The Swiss motorway vignette is a mandatory toll sticker or, more recently, a digital equivalent, that acts as confirmation of payment for using the national motorway network (Autobahn / Autoroute). This system funds the maintenance and development of Switzerland's high-quality road infrastructure. It is legally required for most vehicles and any attached trailers or caravans weighing up to 3.5 tonnes to drive on these designated roads. Without a valid vignette properly affixed (for physical stickers) or correctly registered (for the e-vignette), you are not permitted to use Swiss motorways and risk incurring substantial fines.

Purchasing a vignette contributes directly to keeping the motorways safe, efficient, and well-maintained, benefiting all drivers. It's an investment in smooth travel across the country. Ensuring you have the correct vignette before entering a motorway is crucial, as checks are frequent and penalties are strictly enforced. Our guide aims to demystify this requirement so you can focus on enjoying your travels across Switzerland's stunning landscapes.

Image illustrating a car on a motorway with a vignette symbol

Who Needs a Swiss Vignette?

The requirement for a Swiss motorway vignette applies broadly to a significant range of vehicles. Any motor vehicle, including passenger cars, motorcycles, motorhomes, and light commercial vehicles like delivery vans, with a total weight (GVM - Gross Vehicle Mass) of up to 3.5 tonnes, must display or possess a valid vignette to use the national motorways. This rule applies irrespective of whether the vehicle is registered in Switzerland or abroad, making it a critical consideration for both residents and international visitors planning to drive on the Autobahn.

Special Cases & Considerations:

Trailers/Caravans: A frequently overlooked point is the requirement for trailers and caravans. If your trailer or caravan also weighs up to 3.5 tonnes and is being towed by a vehicle that requires a vignette, the trailer/caravan needs its own distinct annual vignette. This means a car towing a caravan might require two vignettes total.
Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes: Larger vehicles, such as heavy trucks, buses, and some heavier motorhomes with a GVM exceeding 3.5 tonnes, do not use the vignette system. Instead, they are subject to a different tolling scheme called the Swiss Heavy Vehicle Performance-Related Fee (HVF), calculated based on distance driven, total weight, and emission class.
Specific Road Sections: It's important to note that a standard annual vignette covers the majority of the national motorway network. However, certain transalpine tunnels or specific high-cost road sections might require separate, additional tolls (e.g., the Grand Saint Bernard Tunnel between Switzerland and Italy, or the Munt La Schera Tunnel to Livigno). Always check specific route details if you plan to use these.
Using non-motorway roads: The vignette is *only* for the use of Swiss national motorways (marked in green on signs). If your journey exclusively involves using other roads, such as cantonal roads (marked in blue) or local roads, you do not need a vignette. This is particularly relevant for shorter cross-border trips or travel within specific regions without using the Autobahn.

Image showing different types of vehicles like a car, motorcycle, and caravan

Only One Type: The Annual Vignette

It is a common misconception that different types of Swiss vignettes exist, offering varying validity periods like weekly or monthly options for tourists. For vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes, Switzerland currently maintains a straightforward system with only one type of mandatory vignette: the annual vignette. Any other options suggested by unofficial sources are incorrect and should be disregarded.

This single annual vignette is required regardless of how long you plan to use the motorways, whether it's for a single cross-country trip or daily commuting over the course of a year. This simplicity ensures equal access and contribution to the road network by all users of this vehicle category.

Example image of an annual Swiss vignette sticker

Annual Vignette

This is the only official vignette for vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes. It provides a generous period of validity, starting from December 1st of the year preceding the year printed on the vignette and remaining valid until January 31st of the year following the printed year. This effectively gives a total validity period of 14 months, offering flexibility for travel across two calendar years if purchased late in the year.

Where Can You Buy a Vignette?

Acquiring your Swiss vignette is a straightforward process, with both traditional physical points of sale for the sticker and an official online portal for the digital e-vignette. To ensure you purchase a genuine vignette at the official price, it is highly recommended to use only these official channels. Be wary of third-party websites or vendors who may sell vignettes at inflated prices or offer invalid options.

Purchase Locations (Physical Sticker):

Border Crossings: This is one of the most common places for travelers entering Switzerland. Customs offices and booths at major border crossings sell the physical vignette sticker. You can purchase it immediately upon entry.
Petrol Stations: Most petrol stations located near border areas and throughout Switzerland stock and sell the annual physical vignette.
Swiss Post Offices: Within Switzerland, post office branches are official retailers of the physical vignette.
Touring Club Switzerland (TCS) Offices: Offices of the official Swiss motoring club, TCS, also sell vignettes.

Purchase Location (Digital E-Vignette):

The digital e-vignette was introduced to offer a convenient online alternative.

Official Swiss Federal Customs Office Website: The e-vignette can only be purchased directly through the official "E-vignette" portal managed by the Swiss Federal Customs Office (FOCBS). This online platform allows you to register your vehicle's license plate number electronically. It's crucial to use the official portal to avoid scams or non-valid purchases.

Map showing the general area of Switzerland where motorways require a vignette.

E-Vignette or Sticker? Choosing Your Option

Since its introduction on August 1, 2023, the digital e-vignette has provided a modern, flexible alternative to the traditional physical sticker. Both options are equally valid for using Swiss motorways for vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes, but they cater to different preferences and offer distinct advantages. Understanding the differences will help you choose the best option for your travel needs.

The choice largely depends on your convenience, how frequently you might change vehicles linked to the vignette (e.g., company cars, rental cars with the same plate, or vehicles with interchangeable plates), and whether you prefer a physical item or a purely electronic registration.

Feature	Physical Sticker	Digital E-Vignette
Proof of Use	Requires the physical sticker to be correctly and permanently affixed to the inside of the vehicle's windshield. Its presence is verified visually.	Proof of entitlement is linked electronically to the vehicle's license plate number in a database. No physical item is needed on the vehicle.
Purchase Method	Available for purchase at numerous physical locations like border customs offices, post offices, and petrol stations.	Exclusively purchased online through the official "E-vignette" web portal of the Swiss Federal Customs Office.
Transferability	Not transferable between vehicles. The sticker is applied with a strong adhesive and is designed to be non-removable without being destroyed. Removing it voids its validity. It cannot be transferred to a new car or a different owner.	Highly flexible. If you change vehicles but keep the same license plate number (common for interchangeable plates in Switzerland or Liechtenstein, or if you simply swap cars and transfer plates), the e-vignette automatically applies to the new vehicle. It can also be easily transferred to a different license plate number in case of specific changes documented (e.g., moving to a new canton requiring a new plate).
Application	Requires manual application to the windshield, ensuring it is correctly placed (top left or behind rearview mirror), fully adhered, and not obstructed. Improper application can lead to fines.	No physical application needed. The process involves entering your vehicle's details and license plate number online. Once purchased, it's active almost immediately.
Visibility	Must be clearly visible from the outside on the windshield.	Invisible, as there is no physical sticker. Compliance is checked electronically by scanning license plates.
Resale	Once affixed, it cannot be removed and reused or resold. It is permanently tied to the vehicle.	No physical item exists, so there is nothing to resell. The entitlement is tied to the license plate registration.

Visual comparison showing a car windshield with a sticker and a digital representation

Correctly Using Your Vignette

Physical Sticker Application Guide:

Applying the physical vignette correctly is crucial to its validity. An improperly affixed sticker can be considered equivalent to not having one at all and can result in a fine. Follow these steps carefully:

Step 1: Clean the Area

Choose the correct spot on the inside of your windshield – usually the top left corner (driver's side in left-hand drive cars) or behind the rearview mirror. Ensure this area is perfectly clean and dry. Any dust, dirt, or moisture can prevent proper adhesion.

Hand peeling backing from a vignette sticker

Step 2: Remove Backing

Carefully peel off the protective backing paper from the adhesive side of the vignette. Avoid touching the adhesive surface with your fingers to maintain its sticking power.

Hand applying a sticker to a car windshield

Step 3: Apply Firmly

Press the vignette firmly onto the designated clean area of the glass from the inside. Apply even pressure across the entire surface to ensure full adhesion. Smooth out any air bubbles by rubbing from the center outwards.

Image showing correct placement of a vignette on a windshield

Step 4: Check Placement

Ensure the vignette is placed correctly where it is clearly visible from outside the vehicle and does not obstruct the driver's view. Invalid placements include side windows, rear windows, tinted strips, or using tape instead of the vignette's adhesive. Once applied, the vignette cannot be removed and reapplied.

Digital E-Vignette Usage:

The digital e-vignette simplifies the usage process significantly as it eliminates the need for physical application. When you purchase an e-vignette through the official online portal, it is automatically linked to the license plate number you provided during the registration process. There is no sticker or physical item to place on your vehicle.

Compliance with the e-vignette is checked electronically by police and customs authorities using cameras that scan license plates on the motorways and at border crossings. These systems automatically verify if a valid e-vignette is associated with the scanned license plate in the central database. This makes crossing borders smoother as you don't need to stop to purchase or show a physical sticker (unless you specifically need a physical vignette). It's essential to ensure you enter your license plate number correctly during the online purchase, as any error will render the e-vignette invalid for your vehicle.

Image representing digital checking of a license plate

Consequences and How to Avoid Fines

Driving on Swiss national motorways without a valid and correctly used vignette carries significant penalties. Authorities, including cantonal police and federal customs officials, conduct frequent checks on motorway sections and at border points. If you are found using a motorway without the required vignette, the consequences are clear and can be costly. The standard fine for this infringement is currently CHF 200. In addition to the fine, you will be required to immediately purchase a valid annual vignette on the spot to continue your journey on the motorway network legally. This effectively means paying both the fine and the full cost of the vignette.

Avoiding fines is straightforward: ensure you have a valid annual vignette (either physical, correctly affixed, or digital, correctly registered to your plate) before you enter a Swiss motorway. Be particularly diligent if you are driving a rental car, borrowing a vehicle, or towing a trailer – always confirm the vignette status.

Common Issues Leading to Fines:

No vignette at all: The most basic reason – simply driving on the motorway without having purchased either type of valid vignette.
Vignette not properly affixed: For physical stickers, this is a major cause of fines. Examples include keeping it in the glove box, dashboard, or taped to the window instead of being permanently stuck with its own adhesive.
Vignette placed incorrectly: The physical sticker must be on the inside of the windshield. Placing it on side windows, the rear window, or a heavily tinted section of glass is not permitted and will result in a fine.
Using an expired vignette: Each physical vignette has a specific year printed on it. Using a vignette from a previous year is invalid.
Using a vignette that has been removed: Once a physical vignette has been peeled off, its adhesive is compromised, and it is considered void. Reattaching it with tape or other adhesives is illegal.
Using a fake or copied vignette: Attempting to use counterfeit vignettes is a serious offense with severe penalties beyond the standard fine.
Incorrect license plate registration for the e-vignette: If you purchased an e-vignette but entered your license plate number incorrectly during the online process, the system will not find a valid vignette linked to your vehicle when scanned, leading to a fine. Double-check your entry when purchasing the e-vignette.

Image of a Swiss warning sign related to motorways or tolls

Your Questions Answered

We've compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Swiss motorway vignette to help clarify common points of confusion.

The annual vignette is valid for a total of 14 months. Its validity period starts on December 1st of the year preceding the year printed on the vignette and extends until January 31st of the year immediately following the printed year. For example, a 2024 vignette is valid from December 1, 2023, until January 31, 2025.

No, for vehicles with a total weight of up to 3.5 tonnes, Switzerland currently only offers the single, annual vignette. There are no official options for daily, weekly, or monthly vignettes in this vehicle category. Any offers for shorter-term vignettes for vehicles under 3.5 tonnes are not official and should be treated with caution.

Yes, this is a very important point. If your trailer or caravan also has a total weight of up to 3.5 tonnes and is being towed by a vehicle that requires a vignette, the trailer or caravan must have its own separate, valid annual vignette. This means if you are towing a compliant caravan with a compliant car, you will need two vignettes in total.

The physical vignette is permanently affixed to the vehicle it was originally placed on and is valid only for that specific vehicle. It cannot be removed and transferred to a new vehicle, even if the ownership changes or you purchase a new car. Once removed, the sticker is void. The new owner of the old car and you for your new car will both need new, valid vignettes.

Generally, there are no refunds for purchased Swiss motorway vignettes, regardless of how little you end up using the national motorway network. The purchase is for the potential use of the roads for the entire validity period.

No, the vignette is specifically required only for vehicles using the designated Swiss national motorways (Autobahn / Autoroute), which are typically marked with green signs. It is not required for driving on other roads, such as cantonal roads (marked with blue signs), local roads, or routes not classified as national motorways.

The e-vignette is checked electronically. Police and customs authorities use camera systems installed on motorways and at borders to scan license plates. The scanned plate number is then automatically checked against the official e-vignette database to verify if a valid vignette is registered for that specific vehicle.

Our Mission: Simplifying Swiss Motorway Regulations

VignetteGuide was founded with a singular purpose: to cut through the confusion surrounding Swiss motorway vignette requirements. We understand that for many, especially tourists and international drivers, navigating the specifics of road tolls in a foreign country can be a source of anxiety and potential costly mistakes. Our platform was built on the belief that clear, accessible information is key to a stress-free journey on Switzerland's beautiful roads.

Our journey began when our own team members experienced firsthand the challenges of finding reliable, consolidated information on vignette rules. Official sources, while accurate, can sometimes be dense or difficult to navigate for non-residents. Third-party vendors often add to the confusion with unofficial offerings or inflated prices. Recognizing this gap, we decided to create a dedicated, independent resource.

Our mission is simple yet vital: to provide drivers with an easy-to-understand, comprehensive guide that covers everything they need to know about obtaining, using, and understanding the Swiss motorway vignette. We aim to empower you with the correct information to travel legally, safely, and with confidence on the Swiss national road network. We are committed to keeping our information up-to-date with official regulations, ensuring you receive the most current guidance available.

It is important to clarify that VignetteGuide is an independent educational resource. We are not affiliated with any official Swiss government body, such as the Federal Customs Office, nor are we commercial vendors selling vignettes. Our sole focus is on providing accurate, helpful information to the public for free. We believe that understanding the rules shouldn't be difficult or expensive. By offering this detailed guide, we hope to contribute to smoother travels for everyone exploring Switzerland by car.

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How We Can Help (Non-Commercial)

As VignetteGuide is an informational platform and not a commercial vendor or official authority, our "services" are strictly focused on providing education and support. We do not sell vignettes, issue them, or provide legal advice. Our purpose is to guide you through the existing official processes and regulations based on publicly available information. Here's how we support drivers:

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Educational Help

We provide comprehensive and easy-to-understand articles, guides, and in-depth FAQs covering all aspects of the Swiss motorway vignette. From explaining what it is and why it's necessary, to detailing purchase options and correct usage, our content is designed to be your primary source for reliable information. We aim to break down complex regulations into simple steps you can follow.

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Document Navigation Support

While we are not the official source, we can offer guidance on where to find and how to interpret official information from Swiss authorities regarding vignettes. If you encounter official documents or websites that are difficult to understand, our resources can help provide context and clarify the information presented, pointing you towards the correct official channels for transactions.

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Information Hotline (Non-Commercial)

We offer a channel for you to submit specific questions that might not be covered in our existing guide. Our team can provide non-binding informational assistance based on our research and understanding of the official rules. Please note: we cannot provide legal interpretations, make purchases on your behalf, or resolve disputes with authorities. For official transactions or legal questions, you must contact the relevant Swiss authorities or purchase points.

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Have specific questions that weren't answered in our guide? Or need clarification on a particular point? Our team is here to assist you with informational support.

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Phone: +41 123 456 789 (Information Hotline - please note this is for non-commercial information only)

Please allow up to 2-3 business days for an email response. Our hotline operates during standard Swiss business hours (CET/CEST).

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