Switzerland

Schweiz / Suisse / Svizzera · Capital Bern · CHF CHF · +41

Drives on the
right

Last reviewed 2026-05-10 by AI-draft → Semir K review. Always verify with official sources before travelling — see references at the bottom of the page.

Rules of the road

Urban speed limit
50 km/h
Rural speed limit
80 km/h
Motorway speed limit
120 km/h
Alcohol limit (BAC)
0.05 g/L (novice 0.01)
Minimum driving age
18
Headlights by day
Always
Mobile phone
Hands-free only — even brief handling at lights is fined.
Dashcam legal
No
Radar detector legal
No
On-the-spot fines
Yes

Child seats: Children under 12 / under 150cm need an approved restraint.

  • Daytime running lights are mandatory year-round (CH-specific).
  • Speeding fines escalate quickly: ≥40 km/h over urban limit can mean court + driving ban.
  • Speed-camera warning apps are illegal — disable section warnings before crossing.

Mandatory equipment

Warning triangle
Required
Hi-vis vest
Not required
First-aid kit
Not required
Fire extinguisher
Not required
Breathalyser
Not required
Spare bulbs
Not required
Headlamp converters (RHD)
Required

Snow chains / winter tyres: No general winter-tyre law, but driver is liable if summer tyres cause an obstruction. Snow chains required on signed mountain passes.

Hi-vis note: Recommended; not legally required for cars.

  • Some Alpine passes close in winter — check ASTRA road status.

Documents you must carry

Licences accepted
EU, UK, IDP, national
International Driving Permit
Not required
Insurance Green Card
Not required
Vehicle registration (V5C)
Required
MOT certificate
Not required
  • UK licences accepted without IDP for visits.

Emergency & breakdown

EU 112
Active
Police
117
Ambulance
144
Fire
118

Roadside assistance

Fuel & EV charging

Petrol 95 (avg)
€1.79/L
Diesel (avg)
€1.82/L

EV plug standards: Type2, CCS, CHAdeMO, Tesla.

Major networks: Ionity, Tesla Supercharger, Move, Gofast, Swisscharge.

  • Densest charging per capita; CCS dominant on motorways via Move and Ionity.

Parking, congestion & low-emission zones

Parking disc: Required in some town centres — Blue Zone discs widespread — set arrival time, free parking up to limit shown.

Low-emission zones

  • Geneva (Stick'AIR)Fine ~€500
    Crit'Air-style sticker required during pollution episodes; older diesels may be banned.
  • Basel/Zurich (occasional)
    Temporary HGV restrictions during smog alerts; cars largely unaffected.
  • Switzerland is not in the EU but is in Schengen — no border checks within Schengen.

Ferries & major tunnels

Major ferry routes

  • Lake Constance ferries — Romanshorn → Friedrichshafen (DE)BSB

Major tunnels

  • Gotthard Road Tunnel (A2)Free · Free with Swiss vignette; expect long queues at peak summer/winter.
  • San Bernardino (A13)Free · Free with vignette.
  • Great St. Bernard (CH↔IT)~€32 · Toll on top of vignette.
  • Munt la Schera (CH↔IT, Livigno)~€14 · Single passage.
  • Plan a 24-h+ buffer for Gotthard Tunnel queues on holiday Saturdays.

Tolls & vignettes

Toll system
Vignette
Operator
Website

Switzerland requires a vignette for all motorways and semi-motorways (signs A-marked in green). Annual only — there's no short-stay sticker. Sold from 1 December for the following year, valid 14 months. Some tunnels (Great St. Bernard, Munt la Schera) charge an additional toll.

Vignette required

Pets & border crossings

Pet passport / AHC
Required

Customs declaration required for goods over CHF 300 / 5 kg meat etc. EU pet rules apply.

  • Switzerland is in Schengen but outside EU customs — declare goods at the border.

References

Profile version 1. Last reviewed 2026-05-10 by AI-draft → Semir K review. Rules change frequently — verify with official sources before travelling.