Switzerland digital e-vignette

Swiss motorway vignette, handled automatically

Switzerland charges for the use of its motorways and expressways through an annual motorway vignette. AutoVignette helps detect supported Swiss vignette roads, create automatic purchase requests for the digital e-vignette, and keep your status visible while you drive.

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Scroll for Swiss motorway vignette details

One national annual vignette Switzerland does not offer daily, weekly or monthly motorway vignettes. The standard motorway vignette is an annual product.

The e-vignette is linked to the number plate For the digital version, the country of registration and number plate are central to the purchase and verification process.

Built for Alpine transit Useful for journeys between Germany, France, Italy, Austria and the major Swiss motorway corridors across the Alps.

Entering Switzerland on a motorway Drivers arriving from Germany, France, Italy or Austria can reach Swiss motorway and expressway corridors shortly after crossing the border.

Swiss motorway and national-road network

Alpine crossings and long-distance transit

how it works

Automatic Swiss e-vignette handling in three steps

Set up your vehicle before the trip, keep detection enabled, and follow the Swiss e-vignette status directly in AutoVignette.

Set up the vehicle correctly

Add your number plate, country of registration, vehicle type and payment method. Make sure the vehicle data matches the vehicle using the Swiss motorway network.

Drive with detection enabled

When you approach or enter a supported Swiss vignette road network, AutoVignette uses location signals to decide whether a purchase request may be required.

Follow the confirmation status

The app shows request progress and warns you if a purchase fails or action is required. Do not continue relying on automation if the app shows a failed status.

Swiss motorway vignette guide

What drivers should know about the Swiss digital e-vignette

Switzerland levies a motorway charge through an annual vignette. The obligation generally applies to motor vehicles and trailers up to 3.5 tonnes that use roads subject to the motorway charge.

Drivers can choose between the traditional adhesive sticker and the electronic e-vignette. AutoVignette focuses on supported digital purchase requests and app status for the Swiss e-vignette.

Electronic, number-plate-linked option The Swiss e-vignette is linked to the number plate instead of being physically attached to a specific vehicle.

Annual product only The Swiss motorway vignette is sold as an annual product. There are no daily, weekly or monthly motorway vignettes.

Motor vehicles and trailers Motor vehicles, motorcycles and trailers within the normal vignette scope can use the electronic purchase system.

Heavy vehicles use separate charging systems Vehicles above the normal 3.5-tonne vignette scope may instead fall under Switzerland's separate heavy vehicle charge systems.

vignette product

Validity of the Swiss motorway vignette

Switzerland uses one annual motorway vignette product. Product rules can change, so always check the app status and current official Swiss motorway-charge rules for your journey.

Annual

One annual motorway vignette

The standard Swiss motorway vignette is an annual product rather than a short-term vignette.

CHF 40

Same official price

The official price is CHF 40 for both the adhesive sticker and the electronic e-vignette.

14 months

Extended calendar-year validity window

A vignette is valid from 1 December of the year before the year shown through 31 January of the following year, creating a 14-month validity window.

Sticker or digital

Choose sticker or e-vignette

Drivers can choose the traditional sticker or the digital e-vignette. The e-vignette is linked to the number plate.

where it is needed

Where do you need a motorway vignette in Switzerland?

Use of Swiss motorways and chargeable expressway sections is subject to the motorway charge. For vehicles in the normal vignette scope, a valid vignette is required before using roads covered by the system.

The exact road network matters. Major international routes through Zurich, Bern, Basel, Lucerne, Ticino and the Alpine corridors frequently use roads within the Swiss national motorway network.

Swiss motorwaysMotorways are the core road category associated with the Swiss motorway vignette.

Expressways in the vignette network The charge also covers roads within the official motorway-charge network beyond classic full motorway sections.

International transit corridors A1, A2, A3, A4, A9 and A13 are especially relevant for long-distance and cross-border road travel.

Vehicles and trailers up to 3.5 tonnes The vignette obligation generally applies to motor vehicles and trailers up to 3.5 tonnes that are not subject to the separate heavy vehicle charge.

Swiss motorways

Common Swiss motorway and expressway routes

Switzerland sits on major road corridors between northern Europe, France, Italy and the Alps. Your exact route determines when you enter a road within the motorway-vignette network.

A1 Geneva – Bern – Zurich – St. Gallen

A1 motorway

The major east-west motorway corridor links the Geneva and Lausanne region with Bern, Zurich and St. Gallen.

A2 Basel – Lucerne – Gotthard – Chiasso

A2 motorway

A key north-south Alpine corridor from the Basel region through Lucerne and the Gotthard route toward Ticino and the Italian border.

A3 Basel – Zurich – Sargans

A3 motorway

An important motorway corridor linking the Basel area, Zurich region and eastern Switzerland through several major connections.

A4 Schaffhausen – Zurich region – central Switzerland

A4 motorway

A major corridor around central and eastern Switzerland, including routes linking the Zurich area with Zug and the direction of Schaffhausen.

A5 Yverdon – Neuchâtel – Solothurn region

A5 motorway

An important route in western Switzerland connecting parts of the Jura and Swiss Plateau road network.

A8 Lucerne region – Interlaken

A8 motorway

A scenic Alpine motorway and expressway route connecting central Switzerland with the Bernese Oberland region.

A9 Lausanne – Valais – Alpine routes

A9 motorway

A major route through western and southern Switzerland, linking the Lake Geneva region and Valais toward Alpine crossings.

A13 St. Margrethen – Chur – San Bernardino

A13 motorway

An important eastern Alpine north-south corridor through the Rhine valley and Graubünden, including the route toward the San Bernardino crossing.

vehicles and trailers

Swiss motorway vignette rules depend on the vehicle and trailer

The Swiss motorway vignette generally applies to motor vehicles and trailers up to 3.5 tonnes that are not subject to the heavy vehicle charge. The electronic purchase process asks for the vehicle category, country of registration and number plate.

A trailer is treated separately for the motorway charge. A car towing a trailer can therefore require a vignette for the motor vehicle and a separate vignette for the trailer.

Motorcycles

Motor vehicles up to 3.5 t

Trailers up to 3.5 t

Motorcycles Motorcycles fall within the Swiss motorway-vignette system and can use the electronic e-vignette purchase process.

Passenger cars and light vehicles Passenger cars and other motor vehicles within the normal vignette weight scope generally need a vignette to use chargeable Swiss motorways.

Trailers Trailers within the normal vignette scope require their own vignette when using roads subject to the motorway charge.

The 3.5-tonne threshold matters The normal motorway-vignette obligation generally applies to motor vehicles and trailers up to 3.5 tonnes.

E-vignette data is number-plate based The electronic purchase process uses the vehicle category, country of registration and number plate.

Above 3.5 tonnes Heavier vehicles may be subject to separate Swiss heavy vehicle charges instead of the normal motorway vignette.

validity & registration

Validity, number plates and the Swiss e-vignette

The Swiss e-vignette is electronic and linked to the number plate. The country of registration and number plate entered during purchase should match the vehicle or trailer for which the e-vignette is intended.

Unlike the adhesive sticker, the e-vignette is linked to the number plate rather than physically attached to the vehicle. This distinction matters when vehicles or number plates change.

Linked to the number plateThe e-vignette is linked to the number plate entered during purchase.

Country of registration mattersThe correct country of registration should be selected together with the number plate.

Annual validity follows fixed dates The annual vignette is valid from 1 December of the previous year through 31 January of the following year.

Wait for confirmation A purchase request alone is not the same as a confirmed e-vignette. Rely on the vignette only after the purchase is confirmed.

common travel routes

Common journeys where drivers search for a Swiss motorway vignette

Germany to Zurich

Drivers entering from southern Germany often reach the Swiss motorway network around Basel, Schaffhausen or the Lake Constance region before continuing toward Zurich.

Germany to Italy via Gotthard

Long-distance routes from Germany to northern Italy frequently use the A2 corridor through central Switzerland and the Gotthard route toward Ticino.

France to Lausanne or Geneva

Routes from eastern France often enter the Swiss road network toward Geneva, Lausanne or Basel and can quickly connect to major motorway corridors.

Basel to Lucerne

The A2 is a major route from the Basel region toward Lucerne and central Switzerland.

Zurich to Ticino

The A2 Gotthard corridor is one of the principal routes between northern Switzerland and Ticino.

Austria to Switzerland

Drivers arriving from Austria or Liechtenstein can connect to eastern Swiss motorway corridors and continue toward Zurich, central Switzerland or Graubünden.

Netherlands or Belgium to Italy

Long road trips from the Netherlands or Belgium to northern Italy often pass through the Swiss motorway network via Basel and the Alpine north-south corridors.

Rental cars in Switzerland

Rental-car drivers should check whether the vehicle already has a valid Swiss motorway vignette and whether the relevant registration details match.

avoiding vignette roads

Can you avoid the Swiss motorway vignette?

Sometimes, if you use ordinary roads and avoid Swiss roads that are subject to the motorway charge. For international transit and long-distance travel, this can add significant driving time and create a more complicated route.

For routes such as Basel–Lucerne, Germany–Italy via Gotthard, Zurich–Ticino or long-distance Alpine transit, the motorway network is usually the practical choice.

Navigation settings matter A route planner with toll-road or motorway avoidance enabled may direct you away from Swiss vignette roads onto ordinary roads.

Motorway avoidance can change the route significantly Switzerland's terrain and Alpine corridors mean a motorway-avoidance route can become much longer or use smaller local roads.

Check before entering an A-road corridor The best time to check e-vignette status is before the route reaches a supported Swiss vignette-road section.

AutoVignette keeps status visible The app is designed to keep road detection, purchase requests and status visible while you travel.

cross-border routes

Driving through Switzerland on a European road trip?

Switzerland lies on major road corridors between Germany, France, Italy and Austria. That makes the Swiss motorway vignette especially relevant for Alpine transit and long-distance European road travel.

Austria vignette Hungary e-vignette Slovenia e-vignette Romania rovinieta Czechia e-vignette

Switzerland by car

Switzerland by car: Zurich, the Gotthard corridor and Alpine transit

Switzerland's motorway network connects northern Europe with the Alps, Ticino, Italy and major Swiss cities. East-west and north-south corridors are both important when planning a road trip through the country.

Germany to Zurich Northern entry routes connect quickly with major Swiss motorway corridors toward Zurich and the Swiss Plateau.

Gotthard transit The A2 corridor is central to long-distance travel between northern Switzerland, the Gotthard route, Ticino and Italy.

Alpine and cross-border routes A2, A9 and A13 are important for Alpine transit, while A1, A3 and A4 connect major cities and border regions.

ready before Switzerland

Download AutoVignette before your next motorway drive through Switzerland

Set up your vehicle once, keep the number plate and registration country correct, enable detection, and keep the Swiss e-vignette status visible in the app.

frequently asked questions

Swiss motorway vignette FAQ

Important answers for drivers comparing Swiss e-vignette apps and automatic motorway-vignette handling.

Do I need a vignette for Swiss motorways?

Yes. Use of Swiss motorways and roads within the motorway-charge network is subject to the motorway charge. The vignette obligation generally applies to motor vehicles and trailers up to 3.5 tonnes that are not subject to the separate heavy vehicle charge.

Can AutoVignette automatically buy a Swiss e-vignette?

AutoVignette can create automatic purchase requests for supported Swiss e-vignette purchases when AutoBuy is enabled and the required vehicle, location, internet and payment settings are available.

Are there short-term Swiss motorway vignettes?

No. Switzerland does not offer daily, weekly or monthly motorway vignettes. The standard Swiss motorway vignette is an annual product.

How much does the Swiss motorway vignette cost?

The official Swiss motorway vignette costs CHF 40. The adhesive sticker and the electronic e-vignette have the same official price.

How long is the Swiss motorway vignette valid?

The annual vignette is valid from 1 December of the year before the year shown through 31 January of the following year.

Is the Swiss e-vignette linked to the number plate?

Yes. The e-vignette is linked to the number plate, while the traditional adhesive sticker is linked to the vehicle.

Does a trailer need its own Swiss motorway vignette?

A trailer within the normal vignette scope requires its own vignette when using roads subject to the Swiss motorway charge.

Do motorcycles need a Swiss motorway vignette?

Yes. Motorcycles are included in the Swiss motorway-vignette system and can use the electronic e-vignette purchase process.

Can I avoid the Swiss vignette by avoiding motorways?

Sometimes, but avoiding Swiss roads subject to the motorway charge can add travel time and make long-distance or Alpine routes more complicated. Check the navigation route before entering a covered road.

What happens if the app shows a failed purchase?

If AutoVignette shows a failed status or asks for your attention, you should purchase the required vignette manually before continuing on roads where it is required.