A New Era for Swiss Vignettes: Choose Your Style
Since 2023, Swiss motorists have enjoyed the convenience of choice when purchasing their motorway vignette. Whether you prefer the classic windshield sticker or opt for the modern digital vignette, the process has never been easier. You can stick with the tried-and-true method or embrace the future by purchasing your Swiss vignette quickly and effortlessly online.
The transition to digital was inevitable, as more and more EU countries adopt this modern approach. As we look ahead to 2025, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know about securing your vignette, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free journey on Switzerland’s roads.
Most travelers are familiar with the requirement to have a vignette when driving on Swiss national roads—it's a mandatory part of the journey. Traditionally, anyone venturing into or through Switzerland would have paid the toll at one of the designated sales points before crossing the border.
However, with the arrival of the digital vignette, a new era of convenience has dawned for those traveling on Swiss roads. No longer will you need to make a pit stop at a gas station or rest area to purchase your vignette. Now, you can effortlessly buy the motorway pass online, saving time and simplifying your trip.>/p>
The shift to a digital vignette has been a topic of discussion for quite some time, and now it's finally here. If you're ready to bid farewell to the hassle of sticking a vignette on your windshield and scraping it off later, the digital option is your perfect solution.
While the traditional sticker vignette has its charm, the convenience of the new e-vignette cannot be overstated. Travelers now have the freedom to choose how they access Switzerland's motorways and expressways, whether by continuing the tradition of purchasing at a gas station or by embracing the efficiency of the digital age.
For those who enjoy the ritual of a pit stop to pick up a sticker, the option remains available. However, the 2025 e-vignette offers a more streamlined experience. Not only does it save you time, but it also simplifies the purchasing process. Acquiring your annual vignette online is swift and straightforward. With a variety of payment options—including Credit Card, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Sofort, Giropay, Klarna, and Ideal—you can complete your purchase in just a few clicks.
How to Get Your E-Vignette:
- Enter your vehicle and personal details.
- Pay your shopping total.
- Receive your confirmation, and you're all set!
Before you commit to either the traditional sticker vignette or the new e-vignette, it's important to understand how the underlying system works. The classic vignette required you to affix it inside your vehicle in a clearly visible spot. The new e-vignette operates on a more advanced principle.
During the online purchase of the motorway vignette, you’ll be asked to provide the license plate number of the vehicle you'll be driving. This number is then stored and linked to the vignette. Later, during routine police inspections, your vignette is validated by comparing the license plate data.
This system offers significant benefits to drivers. For instance, if you move to a different district and your vehicle receives a new license plate, you can easily update this information in the Swiss system. This ensures that your 2025 vignette remains valid throughout its full duration. Another major advantage is that if your windshield needs to be replaced, you won’t need to buy a new sticker, as the vignette is registered digitally.
The Swiss vignette is valid for up to 14 months, depending on the purchase date. During this period, it’s possible that your license plate could change, or your windshield might need replacing. Thanks to the e-vignette’s digital registration, these changes won’t affect the validity of your vignette, offering you flexibility and peace of mind.
When ordering your online motorway vignette, providing accurate information is crucial. Besides entering your full name and email address, special attention must be given to the license plate number. This number will be essential for monitoring toll fees as you drive on Swiss roads.
Regarding validity, Switzerland keeps things simple: there’s only one vignette option available. The annual vignette is valid for 14 months, covering the period from December 1st of the previous year until January 31st of the following year. This single category applies to all vehicles, ensuring straightforward usage.
Costs of the Digital Swiss Motorway Vignette
The price for the Swiss e-vignette is a flat rate of 40 Swiss francs, plus processing fees, regardless of the vehicle type. This rate applies to motorcycles, cars, and caravans. It’s important to note that both motor vehicles and trailers require their own separate vignette.
Additionally, be aware that certain road sections, such as the Munt la Schera or the Great Saint Bernard Tunnel, require an extra toll fee on top of the vignette.
While the flat rate for the Swiss motorway vignette applies to most vehicles, including motorcycles, cars, and standard caravans, there is a special regulation for certain heavier vehicles. Specifically, transport vehicles and motorhome trailers with a total weight exceeding 3.5 tons are not eligible for the flat vignette rate.
For these heavier vehicles, Switzerland imposes a Heavy Vehicle Fee (LSVA). This fee is not unique to Switzerland; it is also applied in several EU countries. However, most vacationers driving an ordinary passenger car won’t be affected by this fee when traveling to destinations like Switzerland, Italy, or France.
If you're traveling with a motorhome or trailer that surpasses the 3.5-ton limit, it's essential to account for the LSVA in your travel budget. For those with standard vehicles, the flat-rate vignette remains the only requirement.
If you're caught driving on Swiss motorways without a vignette, be prepared for a hefty fine of 200 Swiss francs. But the penalty doesn't end there. In addition to the fine, you'll still need to purchase a vignette at the standard price.
To avoid this costly mistake, vacationers are strongly advised to buy their vignette ahead of time. With the digital vignette now available, there's no reason to delay—acquiring one takes just a few clicks, ensuring you're ready to hit the road without worry.