Motorway charge FAQ
Use of Swiss motorways is subject to a charge. The charge is paid by purchasing a vignette. Users may choose between the traditional adhesive vignette and the digital e-vignette. The vignette is valid from 1 December of the previous year until 31 January of the following year and costs CHF 40.
Video: A quick guide to the e-vignette
Further information and instructions on the e-vignette
For more information and instructions on the e-vignette, see Services Individuals and Services Companies.
General FAQ
Use of Swiss motorways is subject to a charge for all motor vehicles and trailers that are not subject to the heavy vehicle charge. The charge is levied in the form of a «vignette» (available as a sticker or electronic version). The obligation to have a vignette generally applies to all motor vehicles and trailers weighing up to 3.5 tonnes.
You can find a map showing all roads subject to the vignette here.
The price of the vignette is generally CHF 40. When paying with a credit or debit card, you may incur additional conversion fees charged by the card issuer depending on the payment currency.
E-vignette:
If the registration or purchase is handled by a third party surcharges/handling fees are permissible. Due to the risk of fraud on the Internet, we recommend that you only use trustworthy providers or the official FOCBS webshop.Sticker:
The official purchase price in foreign currency depends on international exchange rates and is periodically updated by the FOCBS and the distributors.Other types of surcharges, processing fees, etc. on top of the official purchase price are not permitted. You do not have to accept them.
From 1 December of the year prior to that shown on the vignette through to 31 January of the year following that on the vignette (14 months).
There is the sticker, which was introduced in Switzerland in 1985, and the new e-vignette, available from 1 August 2023.
People subject to the charge can choose which version they wish to buy. Both versions are annual and valid for 14 months (from 1 December of the year prior to that shown on the vignette through to 31 January of the year following that on the vignette) and both have the same price: CHF 40.
E-Vignette:
The e-vignette can be purchased from the webshop of the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security FOCBS.Sticker:
- Switzerland
The stickers can be purchased at post offices, most petrol stations and garages, TCS outlets and from driver and vehicle licensing offices. - Abroad
You can find a list of foreign points of sale for the sticker here.
- Switzerland
Yes. Trailers are also subject to the motorway tax, unless they are subject to the heavy vehicle charge. There is an exemption for trailers attached to motorbikes.
You can find the full list of exemptions here.
Yes. Motorhomes with a total permissible weight of up to 3.5 tonnes require a vignette. If the total permissible weight exceeds 3.5 tonnes, the lump-sum heavy vehicle charge PSVA is payable.
Yes. Classic vehicles require a vignette.
No. However, due to local conditions, there are exceptions at the following customs offices:
- Basel/St Louis motorway
- Rheinfelden motorway and
- Kreuzlingen motorway
If you enter Switzerland via one of these three customs offices, no vignette is needed, provided you leave the motorway at the first exit.
Yes. Unlike other European countries, Switzerland does not have a short-stay vignette.
E-vignette FAQ
Purchasing
No. The e-vignette cannot be renewed automatically each year. However, there is an option to set up a user account on the web portal. Entering an email address will enable a reminder function to be activated.
The e-vignette is valid immediately after purchase. Unlike in the EU, Swiss legislation does not grant the customer a right of withdrawal for online purchases.
No, you do not need to carry a receipt.
Select «publicly viewable» so that you yourself and third parties, such as people with whom you share a car, can check whether a valid e-vignette is available for the corresponding registration number. You can also change the visibility option yourself at a later date under «Tickets», provided the internet history has not been deleted. The FOCBS ( as well as the police) may only check whether an e-vignette has been purchased for the registration number in the course of roadside checks and will not provide any information.
See Services individuals > E-vignette under “Purchased tickets"
Data security
Your data is saved on a server in Switzerland. In the case of the e-vignette, you have the option to remain anonymous and provide only your number plate and country of origin. This data is needed exclusively for purchasing the e-vignette and for verification purposes. There is no vehicle tracking of any kind, and there is no monitoring via GPS. At the latest, the data is deleted one year after the e-vignette has expired.
Email addresses, first names, surnames, addresses, etc. may be recorded for additional functions.
Change of number plate
In the case of domestic number plates, the correction can be made once directly in the webshop ticket (pencil icon > Change number plate). In the case of foreign number plates, the correction can be made once within 24 hours of purchase directly in the webshop ticket (pencil icon > Change number plate).
Incorrect hyphens and/or spaces are irrelevant and do not require correction.No. The e-vignette can only be transferred to the new number plate directly in the webshop ticket (symbol at the top next to shopping cart, then pen symbol -> change registration number or create registration number change request) if the vehicle and holder remain identical (e.g. in the event of a move or loss of the number plate). It is mandatory to include relevant documents (e.g. old and new vehicle registration document).
It is not possible to change license plates in connection with company formations and takeovers.The request is to be entered via the following link: Transfer e-vignette to new licence plate
Vehicle change
Since the e-vignette is linked to the number plate, it is automatically valid for the new/other vehicle if the vehicle is changed without a change of number plate. There is no need to take any action.The E-vignette cannot be transferred in the event of a change of vehicle and number plate.
Refunds
Non. Un remboursement n'est en principe possible que s'il est prouvé qu'un double achat a été effectué dans la boutique en ligne ou que le moyen de paiement a été débité deux fois. Le remboursement peut être demandé par l’intermédiaire du formulaire de contact en joignant les quittances d’achat correspondantes (la plaque de contrôle doit être identique).
Technically, there is no way of preventing a duplicate purchase. However, there is a functionality allowing you to check if the charge for a specific number plate has already been paid. This function must be selected by means of consent when purchasing the e-vignette (Publicly viewable box) or subsequently in the webshop ticket (pencil icon -> Change public visibility). If a duplicate purchase nonetheless occurs -> see question on refunds.
No. There is no refund of either the e vignette or the sticker in such cases. The e vignette is linked to the number plate and if the plates are handed in, it is not possible to obtain a pro rata refund.
Business partners
As opposed to the sale of the adhesive vignette, the FOCBS does not have official sales partners for the e-vignette. Third-party distributors charge extra. This is permissible and partly justified. There is also a risk of online fraud. Consequently, we recommend purchasing exclusively via the official webshop.
Miscellaneous
The Vignette Act does not make provision for short-term vignettes. The annual charge would become significantly more expensive if short-term vignettes were introduced.
According to the Vignette Act, the charge is levied for the calendar year. This stipulation does not change with the introduction of the e-vignette. So long as the sticker is still offered for sale alongside the electronic version, there is no point in changing the validity period.
Vehicles with dealer plates are not liable to pay levy on working days.
The advantage of the e-vignette is that it is linked to the number plate instead of the vehicle. Now, rather than buying a sticker for each vehicle, you only need one e vignette for each number plate.
No. Only if the windscreen is replaced can the adhesive vignette that has become invalid be replaced with an e-vignette.
To do this, you need to change the public visibility setting in the ticket (pencil icon).
There is no «gift function» and no gift vouchers or the like are available. However, anyone can buy an e-vignette.
For more information about ePortal registration: Registration for the digital services of Swiss Customs on ePortal (Onboarding).
As long as the Internet history has not been deleted, or for registered users, tickets/receipts are available in the webshop or can be sent. The FOCBS does not issue tickets or receipts (subsequently).
No, it is not possible for an administrator to enter additional users on ePortal.
Sticker FAQ
You should affix the sticker as follows:
- In the case of motor vehicles with windscreens, on the inside of the windscreen in a place that can easily be seen from outside the vehicle.
- In the case of motor vehicles without windscreens, trailers and motorbikes, on an easily accessible and non-removable part.
It is forbidden to use sticky tape, adhesive films, etc.
No. It is forbidden to peel off the stickers and transfer them to other vehicles. Detached stickers are invalid.
Yes, both vehicles require a sticker. However, you can avoid this by purchasing an e-vignette, as, unlike the sticker, the e-vignette is linked to the number plate instead of the vehicle.
Yes. The sticker will be replaced free of charge in the event of a windscreen replacement.
In the case of foreign vehicles, customs offices will issue a new sticker upon presentation of the old sticker (even if it is torn) and the invoice for the replacement windscreen.
A replacement sticker is organised by the insurance company in the case of Swiss vehicles.
For general questions:
Information office for customs regulations
Monday to Friday
Tel: +41 58 467 15 15
Contact formTechnical or usage problems:
FOCBS Service Desk
Monday to Friday
Tel: +41 58 462 60 00
Contact form