Travel Information for Switzerland

Switzerland is one of the most popular and safest travel destinations in Europe: breathtaking Alpine panoramas, well-maintained cities and an infrastructure you can rely on. To ensure your trip runs smoothly from entry to return, we have summarised the most important travel information for Switzerland in this guide: from entry requirements and the vignette requirement to practical tips on safety, payment methods and the most beautiful excursion destinations.

Travel information for Switzerland: the essentials at a glance

• Nationals of the European Union only need a valid identity card or passport to enter Switzerland.

• The permitted maximum speed on motorways is 120 km/h. There is also an all-day lights-on requirement.

• A valid vignette for Switzerland is required to use motorways and expressways.

• In an emergency, you can reach the police, fire brigade and ambulance services via the Europe-wide emergency number 112.

• The summer months are especially suited to outdoor activities, while winter offers ideal conditions for winter sports.

Entry requirements and border controls

For nationals of the EU and most Schengen states, entering Switzerland is straightforward. A valid identity card or passport is sufficient for tourist stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period; no visa is required. It is important that the identity document remains valid for the entire duration of the trip, as a document that has already expired or is close to expiry can cause problems at the border.

If minors are travelling without both parents, they also need their own identity card or passport. We also recommend carrying a written travel authorisation from the parent not travelling, as although this is not always requested at the border, it can save queries if in doubt.

Switzerland is part of the Schengen Area but is not an EU member. There are no systematic identity checks carried out by Switzerland, although random checks are possible. Germany (until 15.03.2027) and France (until 30.04.2027) are currently carrying out temporary checks at their borders with Switzerland; travellers entering or returning via these countries should therefore expect identity checks. Austria and Italy are currently not carrying out checks at the border with Switzerland (as of October 2026). Since Switzerland is not part of the EU customs union, customs checks take place at the border in both directions. Goods up to a total value of 150 francs per person are duty-free when entering Switzerland (value exemption limit, since 01.01.2025); additional allowances also apply, for example for alcohol, tobacco and meat. For this reason, always keep your documents close at hand.

Anyone travelling with a dog, cat or ferret needs an EU pet passport as well as valid proof of rabies vaccination. You can find further details on entry, transport and border formalities with animals in our guide Travelling with animals. If you are continuing from Switzerland into a neighbouring country, also find out about the entry requirements and possible border controls there, as these may differ from the Swiss standard. You can find an overview of the most important border crossings in our guide Borders of Switzerland.

Tolls in Switzerland

In Switzerland, tolls are collected in different ways depending on vehicle weight: via the vignette, the heavy vehicle fee or additional special tolls on certain routes.

Vignette for vehicles up to 3.5 t gross weight

A vignette requirement applies to all motorways and expressways in Switzerland. Unlike in many neighbouring countries, there are no short-term options: cars, motorcycles and vehicles up to 3.5 t gross weight require exclusively the annual vignette, either as a sticker vignette or as a digital vignette linked directly to the licence plate. The digital vignette can conveniently be ordered online, or alternatively purchased at designated sales points on site.

Heavy vehicle fee for vehicles over 3.5 t gross weight

Vehicles over 3.5 t gross weight are exempt from the vignette requirement. Instead, they are subject to the heavy vehicle fee, either as a flat-rate heavy vehicle fee (PSVA) or as a distance-related heavy vehicle fee (LSVA). We have summarised all the details, including payment options, in our guide Heavy vehicle fee.

Special tolls and chargeable car shuttle trains

In addition to the vignette or heavy vehicle fee, further charges apply on certain routes: the Great St Bernard Tunnel and the Munt la Schera Tunnel are subject to special tolls. Switzerland also has car shuttle trains. These car shuttle trains, for example through the Furka Tunnel, are billed separately. A complete overview of the tunnels and passes concerned is provided in our corresponding guides.

Tips for your trip

Clear speed limits apply on Swiss roads: 50 km/h in built-up areas, in many residential areas even just 30 km/h, 80 km/h on country roads, 100 km/h on expressways and 120 km/h on motorways. There is a year-round daytime lights-on requirement (dipped headlights or daytime running lights). The blood alcohol limit is 0.5, and 0.1 for novice drivers in the probationary period, learner drivers and professional drivers. Winter tyres are not generally mandatory in the Alpine regions, but are strongly recommended in winter road conditions, and in some regions a requirement for snow chains may even be signposted depending on the situation. Violations in Switzerland are consistently punished with noticeable fines, which applies to illegal parking just as much as speeding or ignoring the lights-on requirement. We have broken down the exact fine scale as well as all other traffic rules in detail in our guide Traffic rules in Switzerland.

Refuelling is easily possible at chains such as AGROLA, Ruedi Rüssel, Coop, Eni or AVIA, and you can pay in cash, by credit card or via mobile payment. You will find charging stations for electric cars mainly in major cities and along motorways, usually requiring a charging card or app. You can read all the details, including providers and costs, in our guide Refuelling and charging.

Safety and health

The European emergency number 112 also works in Switzerland. The country is one of the safest travel destinations in the world, and crime against travellers is rare. You can also find current travel advice and entry requirements on the website of the Federal Foreign Office; it's especially worth checking shortly before departure for short-notice trips.

EU citizens are covered for medically necessary treatment via the European Health Insurance Card. Medical care in Switzerland is excellent, and pharmacies are available throughout the country. In the Alps, you should expect sudden changes in weather, and in winter, winter tyres or snow chains are required on many mountain routes. Before setting off, find out about the current road conditions in your destination region.

Travel time, language and payment methods

Switzerland can be visited all year round: summer is particularly suited to hiking and city trips, while winter is ideal for skiing and winter sports in the numerous ski resorts. Four official languages are spoken: German, French, Italian and Romansh. In tourist regions, you will usually get by well with English too. For all other situations, you can also use a translation app.

Payment is made in Swiss francs (CHF). Euros are accepted in many tourist areas, but the exchange rate is often unfavourable. We therefore recommend paying locally in francs or by credit card or mobile payment methods, both of which are very widely accepted.

Sights and excursion destinations

From Zermatt with its view of the Matterhorn, via Lake Geneva with its vineyards, to the old town of Lucerne on the Chapel Bridge: Switzerland offers a suitable destination for every taste. The capital Bern with its UNESCO-protected old town and the Swiss National Park with its unspoilt nature are also among the highlights. You can find a detailed overview of the most popular cities and the most beautiful natural experiences in our guides Popular cities and Natural attractions, and recommendations for hiking tours in our guide Hiking areas.

Culinarily, Switzerland is known for fondue, raclette, rösti and its regional variety of cheese and chocolate; more on this in our guide Culinary specialities. Traditional festivals such as Fasnacht in Lucerne in February or Sechseläuten in Zurich in April are also worth a visit, as are the wine regions on Lake Geneva and in Valais. Anyone wanting to experience Switzerland on a multi-day route will find inspiration in our guides Road trip recommendations and Travel diary of Switzerland.

The Europamaut team wishes you a wonderful trip through Switzerland!

With a valid vignette, the most important traffic rules in mind and a little preparation regarding entry requirements, payment methods and language, nothing stands in the way of a relaxed trip through Switzerland. The easiest way to order the digital vignette is directly from us, conveniently online and in good time before your trip begins. We wish you a safe and eventful time in Switzerland. If you have any questions, you can reach us at any time by email.