Switzerland Motorway Vignette and Tunnel Tolls: Complete Guide 2026
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Switzerland Motorway Vignette and Tunnel Toll Guide
System: Annual motorway vignette (sticker or e-vignette) + separate tunnel tolls on two routes
Operator: Federal Roads Office (FEDRO / ASTRA); tunnel tolls via cantonal authorities
Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF)
Coverage: All national motorways (Autobahn/Autoroute/Autostrada) requiring vignette; Great St. Bernard and Munt La Schera tunnels charged separately
Technology: Physical windscreen vignette sticker OR digital e-vignette (license plate linked); tunnel booths accept cash and cards
Do I Need a Swiss Vignette? 2026 Update
Yes — any vehicle under 3.5 tonnes using a Swiss national motorway or expressway must display a valid vignette. There is no daily or weekly option: Switzerland sells only an annual vignette valid from December 1 of the prior year through January 31 of the following year, meaning the 2026 vignette covers December 1, 2025 through January 31, 2027.
Key Reality: If you enter Switzerland from France, Germany, Austria, or Italy and plan to use any motorway, you need a vignette immediately. Roadside enforcement is strict: border police and cantonal officers check vignettes, and driving on a motorway without one triggers an on-the-spot fine of CHF 200 plus the cost of the vignette itself.
2026 Update: The vignette price remains CHF 40 for 2026 — unchanged since 1995. The e-vignette introduced in 2023 is now the most popular format among foreign drivers and can be purchased online before entering Switzerland. Heavy goods vehicles (over 3.5 t) do not use the vignette system and instead pay the distance-based LSVA (Leistungsabhängige Schwerverkehrsabgabe) HGV levy.
Switzerland Toll Costs: Current Rates
Switzerland operates a two-layer toll structure: a flat annual vignette for all motorway users under 3.5 t, and separate point tolls at two tunnel crossings. The Gotthard Road Tunnel — the world's longest road tunnel at 16.9 km — charges no toll; it is covered by the vignette.
Annual Motorway Vignette (2026)
| Vehicle Category | Annual Vignette (CHF) | Validity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger car / motorcycle / motorhome under 3.5 t | CHF 40 | 1 Dec 2025 – 31 Jan 2027 | Physical sticker or e-vignette (license plate linked) |
| Trailer / caravan under 3.5 t (towed) | CHF 40 | 1 Dec 2025 – 31 Jan 2027 | Separate vignette required for the trailer |
| Heavy goods vehicles over 3.5 t | LSVA levy (distance-based) | Per trip | Separate system; OBU required; vignette not applicable |
Tunnel Toll Rates (2026)
Two tunnels in Switzerland charge a separate toll in addition to requiring a valid vignette. The Gotthard Road Tunnel does not charge a toll — it is fully covered by the vignette.
| Tunnel | Route | Car (CHF) | Car + Trailer (CHF) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great St. Bernard Tunnel (Grand-Saint-Bernard) | Martigny (CH) to Aosta (IT), 5.8 km | CHF 37 one-way / CHF 58 return | CHF 47 one-way / CHF 73 return | Cash and cards accepted; return ticket valid 7 days; seasonal closures of mountain road alternative |
| Munt La Schera Tunnel (Ofenpass / Val Müstair) | Zernez (CH) to Livigno (IT), 3.3 km | CHF 21 one-way / CHF 36 return | CHF 28 one-way / CHF 48 return | Access to Italian duty-free enclave of Livigno; return ticket valid 30 days; closed some winter nights |
| Gotthard Road Tunnel (Gotthard-Strassentunnel) | Göschenen to Airolo, 16.9 km (A2) | No separate toll | No separate toll | Covered by vignette; traffic management system in force; convoy system used during peak periods |
LSVA Heavy Vehicle Levy — Overview (2026)
Vehicles over 3.5 t pay the LSVA (distance-based HGV road levy) instead of a vignette. Rates depend on total distance driven in Switzerland, vehicle weight, and EURO emission class.
| Emission Class | Rate (CHF per tonne-km) | Example: 40 t truck, 300 km |
|---|---|---|
| EURO VI (cleanest) | CHF 0.02876 | ≈ CHF 345 |
| EURO V | CHF 0.02876 | ≈ CHF 345 |
| EURO IV and below | CHF 0.03239 – 0.03990 | ≈ CHF 389 – CHF 479 |
Foreign HGVs must register via the Swiss Federal Customs Administration's e-dec system or pay at border points. An on-board unit (OBU) is mandatory for Swiss-registered trucks and strongly recommended for frequent foreign operators.
To calculate toll costs for cars, campervans, motorcycles, and all vehicle types across Swiss motorways and tunnels, use the TollGuru Switzerland toll calculator:
How to Pay Swiss Motorway Tolls
1. Physical Vignette Sticker:
- Available at Swiss border crossings, petrol stations, post offices, and cantonal vehicle registration offices
- Must be affixed to the inside of the windscreen (not removable once applied without destruction)
- Sold in CHF, EUR, and sometimes USD at border points; card payment accepted
- Also sold in neighboring countries at major motorway service stations near the Swiss border
2. E-Vignette (Digital):
- Purchased at via.ezv.admin.ch or through authorized resellers (ADAC, TCS, ÖAMTC, ACI)
- Linked to the vehicle license plate — no sticker required on the windscreen
- Can be purchased before entering Switzerland; minimum 1 day in advance recommended
- Immediately transferable to a new vehicle plate if needed; refundable if unused and not yet active
- Enforcement via ANPR cameras at border crossings and on motorways
3. Tunnel Toll Payment:
- Great St. Bernard and Munt La Schera: staffed toll booths accept cash (CHF and EUR) and major credit/debit cards
- Return tickets purchased at entry can be reused within validity period
- No electronic transponder system at Swiss tunnel booths
4. LSVA for Heavy Vehicles:
- Swiss trucks: automatic deduction via OBU registered with the Federal Customs Administration
- Foreign trucks: declaration via e-dec web portal, toll app, or manual declaration at border
- Border offices at Basel, Chiasso, Geneva, and other major crossings handle manual payment
Enforcement and Penalties
Switzerland enforces vignette compliance rigorously. Border police, cantonal traffic police, and automated ANPR cameras all participate in checking compliance.
| Violation | Fine | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| No vignette on motorway | CHF 200 + cost of vignette (CHF 40) | Payable on the spot; vehicle may be detained until paid |
| Expired vignette | CHF 200 + CHF 40 | Prior year sticker after 31 January is treated as no vignette |
| Vignette not properly affixed (not on windscreen) | CHF 200 | Must be on inside of windscreen; dashboard placement not valid |
| Vignette transferred from another vehicle | CHF 200 | Physical sticker cannot be peeled off and reused without visible damage |
| LSVA non-declaration (HGV) | CHF 200 + unpaid levy + surcharge up to 5x levy | Weigh-in-motion enforcement at borders and on-road control points |
Recent Changes (2026)
Vignette Price — Unchanged:
- The CHF 40 annual vignette price has remained stable since 1995; no increase is legislated for 2026
- A parliamentary initiative to introduce a time-limited (daily/weekly) vignette option was rejected by the Federal Council in 2024; no resubmission expected before 2027
E-Vignette Expansion:
- E-vignette sales exceeded physical sticker sales for the first time in 2024; this trend continued into 2025–2026
- ANPR enforcement cameras at border crossings scanning plates against the e-vignette database were expanded in 2025 to additional entry points including Chiasso and Basel-Mulhouse
- Authorized resellers now include major European motoring clubs (ADAC, TCS, ÖAMTC, ACI, AA) and several travel insurance platforms
Gotthard Road Tunnel Traffic Management:
- The second Gotthard Road Tunnel bore, approved by Swiss voters in 2016, remains under construction; completion is targeted for around 2030, after which the existing bore will be refurbished
- Peak-period convoy management through the single-bore tunnel continues; expected queues on summer weekends can reach 2–4 hours; real-time queue data is available via the ASTRA traffic app and Via Suisse
LSVA Rate Revision:
- LSVA rates are reviewed periodically; the current schedule was set in 2020 and remains in force for 2026 pending a scheduled Federal Council review in late 2026
- Zero-emission HGVs (battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell) are subject to reduced LSVA rates; the Federal Council confirmed these remain in place through at least 2028
Planning Your Journey
Cost Estimates for Common Trips:
- Geneva to Zurich (A1, ~290 km): CHF 40 vignette only — no additional tolls on this motorway route
- Basel to Lugano via Gotthard (A2, ~265 km): CHF 40 vignette only — Gotthard Tunnel is toll-free
- Martigny to Aosta via Great St. Bernard Tunnel: CHF 40 vignette + CHF 37 one-way tunnel = CHF 77 minimum
- Zurich to Livigno via Munt La Schera: CHF 40 vignette + CHF 21 one-way tunnel = CHF 61 minimum
Avoiding Motorways (Toll-Free Routes):
- National and cantonal roads (signed with yellow route numbers) do not require a vignette and are free to use
- Avoiding motorways through major Swiss cities adds 30–90 minutes and is not recommended for through-transit
- For a short transit across Switzerland (e.g., Basel to Chiasso), the vignette is virtually always cost-effective versus detours
Seasonal and Timing Advice:
- Gotthard queues are worst on Friday and Saturday afternoons in summer (July–August) and around Easter; travel before 09:00 or after 19:00 to minimize delays
- Great St. Bernard mountain road alternative (open pass) closes November–May; the tunnel remains open year-round
- Munt La Schera is occasionally closed overnight in winter; check Via Suisse for current status
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Swiss vignette required for all roads?
No — only national motorways and expressways (green road signs) require a vignette. National roads (yellow signs) and cantonal roads are free. GPS navigation apps do not always distinguish between these categories, so check signs carefully near the border.
Can I buy the vignette outside Switzerland?
Yes. Physical stickers are sold at motorway service stations in Germany, Austria, France, and Italy near the Swiss border, as well as via the ADAC, TCS, ÖAMTC, and ACI motoring clubs. The e-vignette can be purchased online at any time from anywhere in the world via the official Swiss customs portal.
Does my motorhome or campervan need a vignette?
Yes, if it is under 3.5 t gross vehicle mass. If it exceeds 3.5 t (common for larger motorhomes), it falls under the LSVA HGV levy system. Check your vehicle registration document for the permissible maximum weight. A towed caravan also requires its own separate CHF 40 vignette.
Is the Gotthard Tunnel free?
Yes. The Gotthard Road Tunnel (Gotthard-Strassentunnel, 16.9 km) on the A2 motorway charges no separate toll — it is covered by the vignette. The Gotthard Base Tunnel is a rail tunnel only (car-loading train service available from Erstfeld/Göschenen and Biasca/Airolo).
Do electric vehicles need a vignette?
Yes. All passenger EVs under 3.5 t require the standard CHF 40 vignette — there is no EV exemption for the motorway vignette. For HGVs, electric trucks benefit from a reduced LSVA rate but are not exempt.
What if I only transit through Switzerland?
Transit drivers using motorways still require the CHF 40 annual vignette. There is no short-term or transit option. For a brief motorway-free detour through Switzerland (e.g., crossing from Germany to Austria via Basel using only cantonal roads), a vignette is not needed — but this is rarely practical.
Switzerland vs. Neighbouring Countries
| Country | System Type | Car Cost (Approx.) | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | Annual vignette + tunnel tolls | CHF 40/year vignette | No daily option; one flat price covers all motorways |
| Austria | Multi-period vignette + section tolls | €10.90 (10-day) / €97.80 (annual) | Short-stay options available; high Alpine tunnel surcharges |
| Germany | No car toll (Autobahn free for cars) | €0 for cars | Only HGV distance toll (Toll Collect); cars toll-free on all roads |
| France | Distance-based motorway tolls | ~€0.10–0.14/km | Pay per use at each péage; no vignette; Télépéage (Liber-t) transponder optional |
| Italy | Distance-based motorway tolls | ~€0.08–0.12/km | Pay per use; Telepass transponder widely used; extensive tunnel network |
| Liechtenstein | No motorway toll | Free | Very small network; Swiss vignette not required; transit via Swiss motorways requires Swiss vignette |
Official Resources
- Swiss Federal Customs Administration (FCA) — e-vignette purchase portal and LSVA declarations
- Federal Roads Office (FEDRO / ASTRA) — motorway network authority, road conditions, and construction information
- Via Suisse (ASTRA Traffic Information) — real-time traffic, Gotthard queue times, tunnel closures
- Touring Club Suisse (TCS) — motoring club; vignette sales, roadside assistance, travel advice
- Great St. Bernard Tunnel — tunnel tolls, hours, and seasonal closures
- Munt La Schera Tunnel — tunnel tolls, hours, and winter schedule
