Autobahnvignette Schweiz 2026 — Preis, Kauf & Regeln

What Is the Swiss Autobahnvignette and Who Needs One?

The Autobahnvignette is Switzerland’s motorway toll sticker — a mandatory permit for all motor vehicles and trailers with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of up to 3.5 tonnes that use Swiss national motorways (Autobahnen) and designated national roads (Nationalstrassen). Without a valid vignette affixed to the vehicle or registered electronically, drivers face an on-the-spot fine.

Switzerland does not charge road tolls by distance, unlike France or Austria. Instead, a single annual flat fee grants unlimited access to the entire Swiss motorway network for the calendar year — a system that has remained essentially unchanged since 1985, when the first vignette was introduced.

Autobahnvignette 2026: Price and Validity

The price of the Swiss Autobahnvignette in 2026 is CHF 40. This price has been unchanged since 1995 — 31 years without an increase — making it one of the most stable road charges in Europe. The low cost reflects the Swiss federal government’s commitment to keeping basic motorway access affordable while funding the network through other fuel taxes and the heavy vehicle fee (LSVA).

Validity period: The 2026 vignette is valid from 1 December 2025 to 31 January 2027. This means it covers slightly more than a calendar year, giving drivers flexibility when purchasing in December for upcoming journeys. Importantly, validity is by calendar year — not 12 rolling months from the purchase date. A vignette purchased on 20 December 2025 is valid until 31 January 2027, while one purchased on 2 January 2026 is also valid only until 31 January 2027. Buy early in December to maximise value.

Where to Buy the 2026 Vignette

The vignette is widely available through official channels:

• Swiss border crossings: Available at all major border posts. If you are entering Switzerland by road, you can purchase it before driving onto any national motorway. Border officers frequently check for the sticker.
• Tankstellen (petrol stations): Nearly all Swiss petrol station chains (Migrol, Agrola, Eni, Shell) sell the physical vignette sticker. Stations in neighbouring Austria, Germany, and France near the Swiss border often stock them too.
• Post offices: Swiss Post offices (Die Post / La Poste) sell vignettes at all locations.
• Online via bazg.admin.ch: The BAZG (Federal Office for Customs and Border Security) sells the e-Vignette (digital version) directly at shop.bazg.admin.ch. Physical stickers can also be ordered by post, though delivery times must be factored in for upcoming travel.
• Motorway service areas: Stickers are available at most Raststätten along the motorway network.
• Automobile clubs: TCS (Touring Club Schweiz) and ACS (Automobil Club der Schweiz) sell vignettes at their offices and occasionally to members at a small convenience discount.

Which Vehicles Require a Vignette?

The vignette requirement applies to all motor vehicles and their trailers with a GVW not exceeding 3.5 tonnes on Swiss motorways and designated national roads. This includes:

• Passenger cars (Personenwagen)
• Motorcycles (Motorräder) — motorcycles require the vignette affixed to a visible location on the forks, under the seat, or on the frame; not on a visor or hanging loose
• Campervans and motorhomes up to 3.5 t GVW
• Trailers and caravans — each trailer requires its own separate vignette, even if the towing vehicle already has one
• Foreign-registered vehicles — all vehicles, regardless of country of registration, need a vignette if they use Swiss motorways

Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes GVW (trucks, buses, heavy campervans) do not use the vignette system. They are instead subject to the LSVA (Leistungsabhängige Schwerverkehrsabgabe — distance-based heavy vehicle fee), which is charged per kilometre.

Common Misconception: Electric Vehicles Are NOT Exempt

A persistent and incorrect belief among EV owners is that battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are exempt from the vignette requirement in Switzerland. This is false. Electric cars, plug-in hybrids, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are subject to exactly the same vignette obligation as internal combustion engine vehicles. The vignette requirement is based on vehicle weight and road use — not powertrain type. Swiss law does not provide any powertrain-based exemption from the Autobahnvignette.

Vehicles that are genuinely exempt include emergency services vehicles operating on official duties (police, ambulance, fire brigade), military vehicles under federal command, and vehicles used for road maintenance by authorised contractors. Diplomatic vehicles with CD plates are also exempt.

How to Apply the Physical Vignette Correctly

The adhesive vignette sticker must be applied to the interior of the windscreen (Windschutzscheibe) so that it is clearly visible from outside the vehicle. Specific BAZG rules require that it is:

• Affixed directly to the glass — not to a bracket, dashboard, sun visor, or suction cup holder
• Not covered by tinting film, adhesive film, or any other material that obscures it
• Placed in a location where it does not obstruct the driver’s field of vision (typically the lower left or lower right corner of the windscreen, or behind the rear-view mirror)
• Applied without modification — cutting, folding, or peeling the holographic security layer invalidates the sticker

A vignette that has been removed and reapplied (which destroys the adhesive and holographic backing) is considered invalid, even if the calendar year is still current. Each vignette is designed for single-use application.

The E-Vignette: Switzerland’s Digital Alternative

Since April 2023, Switzerland has offered an electronic vignette (e-Vignette) as a full alternative to the physical sticker. The e-Vignette is registered to your vehicle’s licence plate number rather than being affixed to the windscreen. Enforcement is handled via automated licence plate reading systems (ANPR cameras) at motorway entry points and mobile police checks.

Key facts about the e-Vignette:

• Same price: CHF 40 — identical to the physical sticker
• Same validity: Calendar year (2026 e-Vignette valid 1 December 2025 to 31 January 2027)
• Purchase: Via shop.bazg.admin.ch using credit card, PostFinance, or TWINT
• No physical installation required: Particularly useful for rental vehicles, vehicles with heated windscreens (where sticker application is problematic), or newly purchased cars where applying a sticker before registration is inconvenient
• Transferable between vehicles? No. The e-Vignette is linked to a specific licence plate and cannot be transferred to another vehicle
• Immediate validity: Activates immediately after purchase — no waiting period

You can hold both a physical sticker and an e-Vignette for the same vehicle, but there is no practical reason to do so — one is sufficient for legal compliance.

Fines for Missing a Valid Vignette

Driving on Swiss motorways without a valid vignette — whether physical or electronic — results in an on-the-spot fine of CHF 200. Additionally, you will be required to purchase the vignette on the spot at the regular price of CHF 40, bringing the total cost of non-compliance to CHF 240. Police enforcement is routine at border crossings, motorway entry ramps, and through ANPR cameras integrated into the enforcement network.

Foreign drivers are not exempt and cannot defer payment to their home country. Payment is typically required on the spot; if cash is unavailable, police may escort the vehicle to the nearest town with an ATM or payment facility before releasing it.

International Comparison: Swiss Vignette vs European Alternatives

Country	System	Annual Car Cost	Notes
Switzerland	Annual vignette (flat fee)	CHF 40 (~EUR 42)	Calendar year; unlimited use of entire motorway network
Austria	Annual vignette (flat fee)	EUR 96.80	Calendar year; digital or physical sticker
Czech Republic	Annual e-vignette	CZK 1,500 (~EUR 60)	Digital only since 2021; weekly option also available
Slovenia	Annual vignette	EUR 32	Adhesive sticker; also 7-day and monthly options
Hungary	Annual e-vignette	HUF ~45,000 (~EUR 120)	Plate-linked; county-level or full network options
Germany	No vignette	EUR 0	No general motorway toll for passenger cars
France	Distance-based tolls (péage)	Variable	Avg. EUR 100–300/year for regular commuters on autoroutes
Italy	Distance-based tolls (pedaggio)	Variable	Avg. EUR 80–250/year depending on routes used

For cross-border travellers who regularly drive between Switzerland and France, Austria, or Italy, the combination of vignette costs can add up. Plan your route to use national roads (Nationalstrassen) where vignette-free alternatives exist, particularly for the routes within Swiss towns and cities.

Specific Motorway Sections Requiring a Vignette

The vignette is required on all numbered Swiss motorways (Autobahnen, marked A-number) and on designated national roads classified as Nationalstrassen. Some roads that appear motorway-like are actually cantonal roads and do not require a vignette — for example, certain sections of the route near Lugano in Ticino and some alpine passes. The BAZG publishes an official list of vignette-required roads on bazg.admin.ch, updated annually when the network changes.

Additionally, two Swiss tunnel tolls are charged separately from the vignette:

• Great St. Bernard Tunnel (Grand-Saint-Bernard / Grosser Sankt Bernhard): Additional tunnel toll of CHF 30–35 for a single crossing (car), independent of the vignette
• San Bernardino Tunnel: The San Bernardino road tunnel on the A13 does not carry an additional toll beyond the motorway vignette

Purchasing Tips and Practical Advice

• Buy the 2026 vignette from December 2025: The new vignette goes on sale on 1 December each year, and the prior year’s sticker remains valid through 31 January. There is no advantage to waiting until January.
• Keep the receipt: If the sticker is lost or damaged in transit (e.g., a windscreen replacement), proof of purchase from the retailer may allow a replacement to be obtained at reduced cost from BAZG. However, there is no automatic right to a free replacement.
• For rental vehicles: Swiss rental vehicles from major companies (Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Enterprise) are typically supplied with a valid vignette included in the rental. Confirm this with the rental company at collection — do not assume.
• For newly imported vehicles: A vehicle with temporary cantonal plates during the import registration process (see our guide to importing a car to Switzerland) still requires a vignette if it uses motorways during that period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use last year’s vignette in January 2026?

Yes. The 2025 vignette remains valid through 31 January 2026. From 1 February 2026 onwards, only the 2026 vignette (or a valid e-Vignette registered for 2026) is accepted. Police enforcement intensifies in February as the prior year’s sticker expires.

Does my trailer or caravan need its own vignette?

Yes. Each trailer or caravan towed on Swiss motorways requires its own separate vignette affixed to its own windscreen or a visible location on the front of the trailer. Towing a vignette-equipped vehicle is not sufficient — the trailer must have its own.

Is the e-Vignette available for foreign licence plates?

Yes. The e-Vignette system accepts licence plates from any country. You enter the plate number, select the country of registration, and pay. The e-Vignette is then linked to that specific plate in the BAZG database and can be enforced via ANPR cameras at Swiss motorway entry points.

Can I get a refund if I buy the wrong year’s vignette?

No refunds are offered for vignettes — physical or digital. If you purchase a 2026 e-Vignette for a vehicle and then discover you already had a valid one registered, the BAZG does not issue refunds. Check your existing registrations at shop.bazg.admin.ch before purchasing.

What happens if I damage the physical sticker when removing it to change windscreens?

The physical vignette is designed to be destroyed upon removal — this is intentional to prevent reuse. If you need to replace a windscreen, the garage is obliged to note the vignette number before removal, and you should contact BAZG with proof of the windscreen replacement and the original receipt to discuss options. Alternatively, switching to the e-Vignette system avoids this problem entirely.