CHBorder briefingVerified Sep 16, 2026

Driving in Switzerland

One vignette covers the whole year — there's no short-stay option. Headlights stay on everywhere, and there are no low-emission zones to plan around.

Rules current as of September 2026 — verify before you go.

Before you cross

2 checks

One annual vignette, CHF 40 — no short-term option.

Even a single afternoon on the motorway costs the full CHF 40; there's no day or week rate.

Sticker or e-vignette, valid 14 months (1 Dec – 31 Jan the year after).

Buy near the end of the year and it already covers most of the next one too.

Fine risk

Fine for no vignette: CHF 200, plus you still have to buy the CHF 40 sticker.

The fine doesn't replace the purchase — you pay both.

Dipped headlights on at all times.

Same rule on every road, in every season.

Winter tires aren't legally required, but you're liable if you cause an obstruction or accident without them.

Alpine passes above 1,000 m can close to summer-tire traffic first when conditions turn.

Snow chains required where signposted on alpine passes.

Look for the round blue chain sign near pass approaches in winter.

No low-emission zones nationwide.

Unlike Germany or Austria, no Swiss city restricts entry by emissions class.

Speeding fines scale with how far over you were and can run into the thousands of francs.

Fine risk

Direct lines skip the general dispatcher if you already know which service you need.

In the planner

Routebook flags these rules on any day your route crosses into Switzerland — right on the day it matters, no separate check.