Digital vignette for Switzerland - valid immediately

Annual vignette Switzerland 2023

Immediately valid

from €49.90

(48.09 CHF)

Do I need a vignette for Switzerland?

YES! On freeways (in Switzerland with white-green signage) there is an obligation to use a vignette for motor vehicles up to 3.5 tons gross vehicle weight (GVW). Similarly, trailers and caravans with a zGG of less than 3.5 tons require a separate vignette. Trailers pulled by motorcycles are exempt from the vignette requirement. This regulation also applies to motor homes with a GVW of up to 3.5 tons and motorcycles.

Motor vehicles with a GVW of over 3.5 tons, including motor homes and trailers, do not require a vignette. Instead, they must pay the toll via the heavy vehicle fee. An exception is made for work vehicles with a zGG of over 3.5 tons, which are not subject to the heavy vehicle fee but also require a vignette. In some cases, additional charges are levied for certain tunnels and passes to cover the high construction and maintenance costs, more on this below

What is a Digital Vignette in Switzerland?

The Digital Vignette in Switzerland is an electronic version of the traditional freeway vignette affixed to the windscreen. Instead of a physical sticker vignette in your car, it is a digital record proof.

Its purpose is to control the use of Swiss freeways and motorway-like roads and to ensure that the appropriate fee has been paid for them.

The Digital Vignette purchased from us online and registered on your vehicle license plate. This means that a physical vignette is no longer required.
It is important to note that the Digital Vignette is checked electronically (with cameras and at police checkpoints), so you must make sure that it has been purchased before driving on the highway to avoid penalties.

How does the payment and activation work?

Payment and activation of the Digital Vignette is simple and straightforward.
You buy the vignette online via our website. During the purchase process you choose the date from when the vignette, should be activated. Payment is made with common payment methods such as credit card, PayPal, Sofort or bank transfer.

After successful payment, you will receive a confirmation (as proof for controls) and the Digital Vignette will be automatically linked to your vehicle license plate. You do not need a physical sticker or receipt. Activation is automatic and you can immediately use the Swiss freeways.

It is important to ensure that you purchase the Digital Vignette before you start your journey, as checks are carried out and driving without a valid vignette can result in fines. The Digital Vignette offers a convenient and modern way to pay your freeway tolls and travel through Switzerland without complications.

How is the Digital Vignette verified?

Swiss traffic authorities use special cameras and technologies to monitor vehicles on the highways. These cameras automatically recognize the vehicles' license plates and match them with the database of purchased vignettes.

If you have purchased a valid Digital Vignette, your license plate will be marked as paid in the database. The cameras identify this and you can drive on without worry. There are no physical controls or toll booths to slow down the flow of traffic.

However, it is extremely important to make sure that your vignette is correctly linked to your vehicle license plate and that you have purchased it before starting your journey. Driving without a valid vignette can result in fines. Modern technology makes checking the Digital Vignette efficient and contributes to the smooth running of road traffic in Switzerland.

What are the penalties for non-compliance with the vignette obligation?

Failure to comply with the vignette requirement in Switzerland may result in fines. It is important to know that the penalties for violating this rule are strict.

The exact amount of the fine can vary, but is on average 200 CHF (Swiss francs) + vignette. The Swiss authorities use modern technology to monitor compliance with the vignette requirement, and violations are quickly detected.

It is therefore advisable to buy the vignette before you drive on the roads. The observance of the vignette obligation is not only required by law, but also a contribution to the safety and efficiency of road traffic in Switzerland.

Are there any exceptions or special rules?

In Switzerland there are certain exceptions and special regulations from the vignette obligation.

One exception concerns motorcycles. Motorcycles, regardless of their weight, are exempt from the vignette requirement. This means that motorcyclists do not have to buy a vignette to use the freeways and motorway-like roads.

Another exception concerns work vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tons. These vehicles are not affected by the heavy vehicle fee, but must purchase a vignette to fulfill the vignette requirement.

However, it is important to note that these exemptions are limited and do not apply to most vehicles. Cars and RVs must purchase the vignette to legally drive on Swiss highways. Make sure you understand the regulations and purchase the vignette to comply with the vignette requirement when traveling in Switzerland.