Switzerland is a popular winter destination for skiers. However, it is also an interesting vacation spot in the summer season. If you go there by car, you need to purchase a vignette. We will check how to do it and what to pay attention to.

Switzerland – types of vignettes and prices for 2025.

When going to Switzerland even for a few days,  it is necessary to purchase an annual vignette  . Unfortunately, there is no offer for people staying for just a few days or even a month. The annual vignette is a good solution for people who frequently visit or pass through Switzerland.  Its cost is 40 francs, or about 200 zlotys.  1 Swiss franc is 4.99 zlotys. Average rate of NBP on September 25, 2022.

The vignette is valid from  the date of purchase until January 31 of the following year  . In the case of frequent trips to Switzerland, it is most profitable to buy a vignette on December 1, when it is valid for 14 months. For example, if you buy a vignette on December 1, 2022, it will be valid until January 31, 2024. However, if the departure is in September 2022, the Swiss vignette will be valid until January 31, 2023, i.e. 5 months.

In addition to the vignettes, Switzerland  has tolls through two tunnels.  It:

  • Great St. Bernard tunnel – about 28 euros,
  • Tunel Munt la Schera – oh.

Which vehicles in Switzerland require vignettes?

Swiss vignettes are intended for all vehicles with a GVW of up to 3.5 t. This means that in addition to cars and trucks up to 3.5 t, motorcyclists must also purchase Swiss vignettes.  In addition, if you are traveling by car with a trailer, you must also purchase a trailer vignette  . There are no vignettes for trucks over 3.5 tonnes that want to drive on Swiss roads. There is a special fee that must be paid.

Vignette in Switzerland – where to buy?

Because electronic vignettes are not yet allowed in Switzerland, one of the most popular solutions is to purchase a vignette locally. Swiss vignettes can be purchased  at petrol stations, post offices, customs and road authorities.  They come in the form of a sticker that needs to be stuck on the windshield. Vignettes can also be purchased before entering Switzerland at individual points of sale, for example, at PZM Travel offices.

How to buy a vignette online in Switzerland?

Switzerland has not yet introduced electronic vignettes. Although people traveling in Europe know this solution from other countries, they can expect to be able to buy an e-vignette in Switzerland as well.  However, in 2023, it is planned to include electronic vignettes along with traditional vignettes in the form of stickers  . However, this does not mean that you cannot buy a Swiss vignette online. However, it is not as simple as the electronic vignette system in other countries. If you want to buy Switzerland vignettes online, you can go to the PZM Travel website and order a vignette in the form of a sticker to your address. This must be done in advance of the departure so that the document can reach the driver. It is also worth knowing that the cost of a vignette will be higher than the cost of a vignette purchased in a stationary store. You can also purchase Switzerland vignettes at switzerlandtravelcentre.com.

What is the penalty for not having a vignette in Switzerland?

Swiss vignettes are mandatory for all drivers arriving from other countries. However, some people do not follow this law. Such people are subject to  a fine of 200 Swiss francs, which translates to approximately 1,000 zlotys  . Additionally, you must purchase a vignette immediately. Traveling without a vignette is risky because the Swiss police carry out checks.

Vignettes of Switzerland – what should you know?

  1. Swiss vignettes are valid for all cars weighing up to 3.5 tons.
  2. Switzerland does not yet have an electronic vignette system, only window stickers are valid.
  3. Swiss vignettes are valid for one year, there are no shorter periods of validity.
  4. The penalty for not having a vignette in Switzerland is a fine of approximately PLN 1,000.

FAQ – the most important questions about vignettes in Switzerland

Where to buy vignettes on the motorway in Switzerland?

In Switzerland, traditional vignettes still exist in the form of window stickers. For this reason, it is easiest to buy locally in Switzerland. There are several points of sale: gas station, post office, customs. The Dictionary General of Cestums Division is responsible for the sale of vignettes. In case of problems with the purchase of a vignette, you can contact us by e-mail zentrale-vignette@ezv.admin.ch or by phone 41 58 467 15 15.

How does the vignette work in Switzerland?

Swiss vignettes are only available as window stickers. There is no electronic system to record online vignette purchases. The sticker must be properly affixed because 

the police can fine not only for the absence of a vignette, but also for placing it in the wrong place.  It is worth remembering that the vignette must be placed on the inside of the windshield, behind the rearview mirror or on the edge of the left glass. You also need to remove all last year’s Swiss vignettes and check for too many vignettes from other countries. During trips on a motorcycle, it is necessary to install a vignette on that part of the vehicle that cannot be replaced.

What should you pay special attention to when buying a vignette in Switzerland?

The vignette system in Switzerland is quite simplified. There are several time options. The vignette is always valid until January 31 of the following year. If you regularly travel to Switzerland by car, 

then you should buy a vignette in December, because then it will be valid for 14 months  , until January 31 of the following year. Thanks to this, the validity period is longer, and the price is the same. If you decide to buy a vignette online, it is better to buy it from a reliable representative, so as not to be deceived.