FAQ LSVA
On this page, you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about the performance-related heavy vehicle charge.
The current levy collection system (LSVA II) is reaching the end of its life. It is being replaced by a modern digital solution (LSVA III). In future, vehicle owners will have several options to choose from. One is the National Electronic Toll Service (NETS) for those who drive (almost) exclusively in Switzerland, and the other is the European Electronic Toll Service (EETS) for those who drive more frequently on the foreign road network.
- The current emotach devices will be replaced by more modern recording devices that transmit the journey data automatically. The chip cards no longer have to be sent in every month.
- You can install the new recording devices yourself, there will be no need for visits to the workshop because of LSVA.
- Journeys abroad are now possible with a single recording device thanks to compatibility with EETS.
- Market liberalisation gives vehicle owners more choice and flexibility.
- The overall administrative burden will be reduced as the declaration and refund processes will be simplified.
The journey data (kilometres driven) will now be recorded by private providers and sent in full to the Confederation for the charge to be collected.
Vehicle owners can choose from the following providers:
- National NETS provider: NATRAS AG, which is appointed by the federal government, provides the basic service. It offers free recording of journey data within Switzerland.
- Authorised NETS providers: They offer the recording of journey data within Switzerland (and possibly other services). The conditions may vary accordingly.
- Authorised EETS providers: They offer the recording of journey data within Switzerland and in other European countries (and possibly other services). The conditions may vary accordingly.
All levy processes remain with the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (calculation, levying, collection). The criteria and parameters for levying LSVA also remain the same.
- Vehicle owners must register once on the Confederation's ePortal as an FOCBS business partner. You will be contacted directly by the FOCBS by post.
- Depending on their travel profile, vehicle owners must choose either an EETS or a NETS provider (commissioning).
- When switching to LSVA III, the emotach devices will be replaced by new recording devices (self-installation).
- Chip cards no longer need to be sent in every month, as the journey data is declared directly and fully automatically by the providers.
- Vehicle owners collect their assessment decisions and invoices independently on ePortal.
NATRAS AG is appointed by the federal government as the national NETS provider and guarantees the basic national service required by law. It must provide all interested vehicle owners with an automated recording system free of charge, and guarantee a backup option should the automated system fail. For those vehicle owners who opt for the national NETS provider, NATRAS AG is the first point of contact when it comes to recording journey data.
In addition to NATRAS AG as the appointed national NETS provider, other providers are authorised by the Confederation – they are known as authorised NETS providers. It will also be possible for EETS providers to record journey data on Swiss roads, which is of particular interest to vehicle owners who also frequently drive on foreign roads, as they will only need one recording device. The FOCBS publishes an up-to-date list of authorised providers.
The criteria and parameters for levying the charge will remain unchanged when the system changes to LSVA III. The Federal Council's decision to increase the charge by 5% as of 1 January 2025 reflects general inflation (statutory inflation adjustment).
The national NETS provider will continue to provide owners with a free basic service. Authorised NETS providers and EETS providers may charge fees.
The changeover to LSVA III requires a one-off registration in the Confederation's ePortal. This enables secure digital communication between vehicle owners and the FOCBS. Once registered, vehicle owners can independently collect their LSVA assessments and invoices from ePortal, and submit applications and objections online.
The FOCBS recommends that owners register during 2024, at the latest in the first quarter of 2025. The FOCBS will contact vehicle owners gradually from the second quarter of 2024 onwards. It is possible to register at any time before being contacted by the FOCBS. Detailed information on this is available on the FOCBS website: www.bazg.admin.ch/onboarding
Detailed information on this is available on the FOCBS website: www.bazg.admin.ch/onboarding. If your company is already registered on the Confederation's ePortal as a FOCBS business partner in another context, you can skip the first three steps. Vehicle owners must apply for the “LSVA holder” role in step 4 (business partner role).
The emotach devices will remain in use until the changeover to LSVA III. There is no need to take any action in 2024. From 2025, no new emotach devices will be installed and those already installed will no longer be maintained. The emotach recording devices will be gradually removed during and replaced by the new recording system in 2025. The FOCBS will publish more detailed information on the removal and disposal of emotach devices on its website in the second half of 2024.
Vehicle owners do not need to take any active steps at present. The FOCBS will gradually contact the owners concerned by post between the second quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025, so that they can register in the Confederation's ePortal.
The FOCBS will contact vehicle owners gradually from the second quarter of 2024 onwards, so that they can register in the Confederation's ePortal. Registration should be completed by spring 2025 at the latest.
From autumn 2024, a pilot operation will start with NATRAS AG and selected owners to record and automatically send journey data.
No new emotach devices will be installed from 2025. Existing emotach recording devices will be gradually removed over the course of the year and replaced by the new recording system.
Emotach and LSVA II will reach their definitive end of life at the end of 2025. From 2026, only LSVA III will operate.