Toll Switzerland
Why do toll fees have to be paid?
Most European countries levy toll fees. There is a so-called toll obligation. This means that fees are charged for the use of certain routes, tunnels and bridges. The revenue generated is specifically invested in the road network and contributes to safe and smooth travel. The investments are made in particular in the areas of infrastructure, traffic management, road safety and environmental protection measures.
Infrastructure: Construction and maintenance of roads and motorways
Road safety and traffic management: Use of new technologies such as intelligent traffic systems or toll bridges
Environmental protection: Expansion of noise barriers as well as measures to reduce exhaust emissions
How is the toll collected?
Tolls are collected in different forms. These include the vignette requirement, the heavy vehicle charge and special toll routes. There is no distance-based toll in Switzerland.
Vehicle
Vignette
Distance-based toll
Special toll
Motorcycle
✓
✗
✓
Car (up to 3.5 t GVW)
✓
✗
✓
Trailer (up to 3.5 t GVW, excluding trailers towed by motorcycles)
✓
✗
✗
Motorhome (up to 3.5 t GVW)
✓
✗
✓
Motorhome (over 3.5 t GVW)
✗
✗
✓
Truck (up to 3.5 t GVW)
✓
✗
✓
Truck (over 3.5 t GVW)
✗
✗
✓
Who needs a vignette in Switzerland?
Under the vignette requirement, toll fees are charged as a flat rate rather than calculated based on kilometres driven. A vignette must be purchased before starting your journey: either the classic sticker vignette or, since 1 August 2023, the digital vignette (e-vignette), which is linked directly to your number plate. There are various vehicle classes subject to the vignette requirement. As a general rule, vehicles up to 3.5 t GVW (gross vehicle weight) require a vignette. Vehicles weighing more than 3.5 t GVW, on the other hand, are required to pay a heavy vehicle charge. Currently, only an annual vignette is available in Switzerland; other validity periods are not offered. The annual vignette is valid for 14 months, from 1 December of the previous year to 31 January of the following year. The 2026 vignette is therefore valid from 1 December 2025 to 31 January 2027.
How much does the Switzerland vignette cost and how long is it valid?
The annual vignette costs CHF 40 (approx. €42.54) and is the only vignette available in Switzerland. It is valid for 14 months: the 2026 vignette is valid from 1 December 2025 to 31 January 2027. It does not renew automatically: once it expires, you must activate a new annual vignette yourself within the vignette flat rate. There is the classic sticker vignette and the digital e-vignette, which is linked to your number plate. You can buy the Switzerland vignette directly online with us.
Switzerland toll for cars, motorcycles, motorhomes and caravans: The same annual vignette at the same price applies to cars, motorcycles and motorhomes up to 3.5 t GVW. Trailers and caravans up to 3.5 t GVW additionally require their own vignette – so a car-and-trailer combination needs two vignettes. Vehicles over 3.5 t GVW instead pay the heavy vehicle charge (see below).
Anyone checked on vignette-liable roads without a valid vignette must pay a fine of CHF 200 and additionally purchase the vignette retrospectively.
Is there a special toll in Switzerland?
Special toll routes often involve tunnels or mountain pass roads. The special toll is charged for certain route sections that are not covered by the regular vignette requirement. This means: even if you have a vignette for motorways or pay the heavy vehicle charge, additional fees may apply for individual routes. The special toll therefore applies to all vehicles using these specific sections.
A special toll only applies at the Great St Bernard Tunnel and the Munt la Schera Tunnel, as well as on a few Alpine passes. The Gotthard Road Tunnel and the San Bernardino Tunnel, on the other hand, are not special toll routes: only the vignette requirement applies there.
It should also be noted that many special toll routes can be reached via access roads subject to the vignette requirement. For this reason, it is generally advisable to purchase a vignette regardless of whether you plan to use a special toll route. Further information on the various special toll routes in Switzerland can be found in our guide.
In March 2026, the Swiss Parliament also approved a mandate for the Federal Council to examine a possible future transit charge for foreign travellers passing through on north-south routes such as the Gotthard or San Bernardino tunnels. The charge has not yet come into force. You can read more about this in our article on the transit fee in Switzerland for travellers passing through.
What is the heavy vehicle charge (LSVA) in Switzerland?
For motor vehicles weighing more than 3.5 t GVW (e.g. trucks or large motorhomes), either the Flat-rate Heavy Vehicle Charge (PSVA) or the Performance-related Heavy Vehicle Charge (LSVA) applies. This charge must be paid at customs upon entry or in advance online via the Via portal. The heavy vehicle charge is not levied solely for driving on public roads, but also applies, for example, when the vehicle is on a campsite. For further information on the heavy vehicle charge (PSVA or LSVA), please refer to our guide.
Vehicle
Heavy vehicle charge (LSVA)
Motorcycle
✗
Car
✗
Trailer (up to 3.5 t GVW)
✗
Trailer (over 3.5 t GVW)
✓
Motorhome (up to 3.5 t GVW)
✗
Motorhome (over 3.5 t GVW)
✓
Truck (up to 3.5 t GVW)
✗
Truck (over 3.5 t GVW)
✓
The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey
We wish you a pleasant trip to Switzerland and lots of enjoyment on your exploration tour through the country's impressive natural scenery. Please make sure to find out about the applicable toll regulations in good time. In addition, our route planner is available to help you plan your trip optimally and display the relevant toll products. If you have any questions, we will of course be happy to help. Please feel free to contact us at any time by email.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Switzerland Vignette
All the important answers about buying and the validity of the Swiss vignette.
Where can I easily buy the e-vignette for Switzerland online?
The digital e-vignette for Switzerland can be conveniently booked online at europamaut.com. It is linked directly to your license plate instead of the windscreen and is usually valid just a few minutes after registration confirmation. It does not renew automatically: if it expires, you must activate a new annual vignette yourself within the vignette flat rate.
Is the vignette for Switzerland also available for a shorter period (e.g. 10 days)?
No. In Switzerland, only the annual vignette is available – unlike in some neighboring countries, no short-term vignettes (e.g. for 10 days or 2 months) are offered. The annual vignette is valid for 14 months: the 2026 vignette is valid from December 1, 2025, to January 31, 2027. It does not renew automatically: for a new period, you must activate a new annual vignette yourself within the vignette flat rate.
Is there a distance-based toll (kilometer toll) in Switzerland in addition to the vignette?
No. Unlike in some neighboring countries, there is no distance-based toll in Switzerland. Instead, the vignette requirement applies, along with the special toll for certain tunnels/mountain pass roads and the heavy vehicle charge for vehicles over 3.5 t gross vehicle weight.
Where do I pay the heavy vehicle charge (PSVA/LSVA) for Switzerland?
The heavy vehicle charge is collected directly at customs upon entry, or it can be paid in advance online via the Via portal.
Am I automatically exempt from the special toll with the vignette?
No. Even with a valid vignette (or paid heavy vehicle charge), additional fees may apply for certain special toll routes. In Switzerland, this only concerns the Great St. Bernard Tunnel, the Munt la Schera Tunnel, and a few Alpine passes. The Gotthard Road Tunnel and the San Bernardino Tunnel are not special toll routes – only the vignette requirement applies there. You can find more on this in our guide to the special toll in Switzerland.
