Switzerland Highway Toll: Complete Guide to Vignettes, Prices & Rules

If you’re planning a road trip through Switzerland’s breathtaking landscapes, there’s one essential thing you can’t skip the Switzerland highway toll, known locally as the vignette. Whether you’re driving your own car, renting one, or crossing the country’s borders, understanding how the Swiss motorway toll works will save you time, money, and trouble.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn everything about the Switzerland highway toll system, including prices, validity, how to buy the vignette or e-vignette, and key tips for travelers in 2025.

What Is the Switzerland Highway Toll?

Switzerland does not use traditional toll booths or pay per use systems like France or Italy.
Instead, the country has a flat-rate motorway tax called a vignette.

This Swiss motorway charge allows you unlimited access to the national motorways and expressways (1st and 2nd class roads) for one full calendar year.

In short:

• It’s a mandatory toll sticker or digital vignette.
• It applies to all vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes (cars, vans, motorcycles, trailers).
• Cost: CHF 40 (around €40).
• Validity: From 1 December of the previous year to 31 January of the following year.

This makes it one of the simplest and most cost effective systems in Europe.

Understanding the Two Toll Systems: Sticker Vignette vs E-Vignette

Switzerland now operates a dual vignette system both the traditional sticker vignette and the digital e-vignette are valid.

The Sticker Vignette

The physical vignette is a small adhesive sticker that must be placed on your car’s windscreen. It serves as proof that you’ve paid the Swiss motorway tax. While driving through Switzerland’s scenic routes with your vignette properly displayed, you’ll also pass near some of the highest Swiss mountain, offering breathtaking views that make every drive an unforgettable experience.

Where to buy:

• At gas stations near Swiss borders
• Post offices in Switzerland
• Automobile clubs (like TCS or ADAC)
• Border crossings and rest stops

Advantages:

• Instantly recognized by authorities
• Easy to buy offline

Disadvantages:

• Must be physically affixed
• If your windscreen breaks, it’s non-transferable

The E-Vignette

Introduced to modernize the Switzerland highway toll system, the e-vignette is a digital motorway pass linked to your vehicle’s number plate instead of the windshield.

Buy it online via the official Via Portal (www.e-vignette.ch) managed by the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS).

What you need:

• Vehicle category
• Registration country
• Number plate

Advantages of the e-vignette:

• Valid instantly after purchase
• Transferable to a new car with the same number plate
• No physical sticker required
• Works great for drivers using interchangeable number plates

Price: CHF 40 (same as the sticker vignette)

Validity Period of the Swiss Motorway Vignette

Each Switzerland highway toll vignette is valid for a 14-month period:

• From 1 December of the previous year
• Until 31 January of the following year

Example:
A 2025 vignette is valid from 1 December 2024 to 31 January 2026.

This extended window ensures travelers and residents enjoy flexibility during holiday seasons and border crossings.

Switzerland Highway Toll Price by Country (Abroad Purchase)

While the standard cost is CHF 40, prices vary slightly when purchasing outside Switzerland because of currency conversion and reseller fees.

Tip:
Buying directly from the official Via Portal (e-vignette.ch) guarantees the best price and instant activation.

Who Needs to Pay the Switzerland Highway Toll?

You need a vignette if:

• You drive any motor vehicle or trailer under 3.5 tonnes on Swiss motorways.
• You are visiting Switzerland from abroad (foreign plates included).
• You drive a rental car or private vehicle on highways.

You do NOT need one if:

• You stay on non-motorway local roads.
• Your vehicle is subject to the heavy vehicle charge (over 3.5 tonnes), which has a separate system.

What Happens If You Drive Without a Vignette?

Driving on Swiss highways without a valid vignette is a serious offense.
Penalty: CHF 200 fine + the cost of a vignette (CHF 40).

Police and customs officials frequently check vehicles at rest stops and border entries.

So even if you’re just passing through Switzerland for a few hours, it’s cheaper to buy the vignette than risk a hefty fine.

Switzerland Highway Toll vs. Other European Toll Systems

Switzerland’s system is one of the simplest and most affordable no toll booths, no delays, and total motorway access for one flat rate.

How to Buy the Switzerland Highway Toll Online

Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to buy the Swiss e-vignette online:

1. Go to the official Via Portal → www.e-vignette.ch
2. Select vehicle category
3. Choose country of registration
4. Enter your license plate number
5. Pay CHF 40 using a credit or debit card
6. Receive instant confirmation (no sticker required)

Your e-vignette becomes valid immediately after purchase.

Expert Tips for Travelers

Keep your receipt or confirmation email – even for the e-vignette, it helps in case of issues.
Don’t buy from unofficial sites – some charge extra fees or sell invalid vignettes.
Check border stations for new stickers if buying on arrival.
Use Google Maps or GPS settings to ensure you’re on roads covered by your vignette.

Conclusion:

The Switzerland highway toll system is straightforward one CHF 40 vignette covers all your motorway needs for an entire year. Whether you prefer the classic sticker or the modern e-vignette, both offer seamless travel across Swiss highways without the hassle of toll booths.

By buying your vignette early, knowing the validity rules, and understanding the difference between both systems, you can drive confidently and legally through one of Europe’s most scenic countries.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)