The Swiss vignette for 2026 costs CHF 40 and is valid from 1 December 2025 to 31 January 2027. Before driving on Swiss motorways and expressways subject to the charge, you need one for a car, motorcycle, van, motorhome or trailer up to 3.5 tonnes.
How much does the Swiss vignette 2026 cost and how long is it valid?
Both the electronic and sticker Swiss vignette 2026 cost CHF 40 for one annual vignette. Validity is not linked to the purchase date: the 2026 vignette is valid for 14 months, from 1 December 2025 to 31 January 2027.
There is no short-term Swiss vignette. Even for a weekend, ten days or one holiday, you buy the annual version for CHF 40. The price and validity period are confirmed by the Swiss Federal Office for Customs and Border Security.
Which vehicles need a vignette?
The vignette is required for vehicles and trailers registered in Switzerland or abroad that are not subject to the heavy vehicle charge. This generally includes cars, motorcycles, vans, caravans and motorhomes with a total weight of up to 3.5 tonnes.
A motorcycle needs its own CHF 40 vignette and cannot be covered by the car’s vignette. A normal trailer behind a car also needs a separate vignette. The exception is a trailer towed by a motorcycle. Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes do not buy a vignette because they are covered by a separate heavy vehicle charging system.
Electronic or sticker vignette: which should you choose?
The electronic vignette is linked to the registration number, while the sticker is attached directly to the vehicle. The price, validity period and charged roads are the same for both versions.
When buying an e-vignette, enter the vehicle category, country of registration and registration number. After a successful purchase it is valid immediately, so you can arrange it online shortly before your journey. The sticker must be placed correctly: on the inside of a car’s windscreen or, for a vehicle without a windscreen, on a visible non-replaceable part of the vehicle.
Before travelling, check the practical information on Swiss road charges, especially if you are only passing through Switzerland and your route continues through other countries or charged sections.
Where is the Swiss vignette valid and when do you need it?
The vignette is valid on Swiss national roads of the first and second classes: motorways and expressways with green road signs. You do not need it outside the charged road network.
You must have a valid vignette before entering a charged road, not at the first rest area or petrol station after the border. Switzerland has no one-day, ten-day or monthly alternative for this system.
How do you buy a vignette online and what should you check?
When buying online, check the registration number and country of registration. The electronic vignette is linked to these details, not to the driver. If you are using a rental car, first check whether an e-vignette has already been purchased for that number plate.
You can buy the sticker vignette at ordinary sales points in Switzerland, such as petrol stations, post offices or customs posts. With the electronic version, you do not need to carry proof of purchase; the correctly registered number plate is what matters. Details are provided in the official information on the e-vignette.
Common mistakes: trailers, weight and driving without a vignette
The car’s vignette does not cover a trailer: a trailer behind a car is a separately charged vehicle and needs its own vignette. It is also incorrect to use a vignette for a vehicle over 3.5 tonnes, which falls under a different charging system.
Driving on a charged road without a vignette may result in a CHF 200 fine and an obligation to purchase the vignette as well. Before entering the road, check the vehicle category, any trailer and validity for the relevant year. The rule and penalty amount are stated on the Swiss public portal ch.ch.
What should you do before travelling to Switzerland?
For most passenger cars and motorcycles, you need one Swiss annual vignette costing CHF 40. With a trailer, add another vignette; for a heavy motorhome or another vehicle over 3.5 tonnes, check the heavy vehicle charging system.
Before departure, enter the complete route into the EuroGoPass route planner. You will see the Swiss vignette as well as other road charges or separately charged sections along the route.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Swiss vignette for 10 days?
No. Only an annual vignette is sold; for 2026 it is valid from 1 December 2025 to 31 January 2027.
Do I need a vignette for a trailer?
Yes, a trailer behind a car needs a separate vignette. The exception is a trailer attached to a motorcycle.
When is the electronic Swiss vignette valid?
It is valid immediately after a successful purchase if the vehicle category, country of registration and registration number were entered correctly.
How much does the Swiss vignette cost?
The 2026 vignette costs CHF 40 and is available only as an annual vignette.