Swiss motorway vignette: e-vignette, validity and purchase

Direct answer

The Swiss motorway vignette currently costs CHF 40. A vignette for a given year is valid from 1 December of the preceding year until 31 January of the following year—14 months; there is no short-stay option. Choose between an e-vignette linked to the registration plate and an adhesive vignette linked to the vehicle. Prefer the official FOCBS Via portal for electronic purchases.

Quick facts

• Price: CHF 40 for either version; card or currency-conversion charges may differ outside Switzerland.

• Validity: 1 December of the preceding year to 31 January of the following year, not twelve months from purchase.

• Link: the e-vignette is plate-linked; the sticker is vehicle-linked.

• General scope: motor vehicles and trailers up to 3.5 tonnes that are not subject to the heavy vehicle charge.

• Authority: Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS/BAZG).

Which version should you choose?

The e-vignette is useful when the plate stays the same; one e-vignette can cover vehicles using the same interchangeable plate. An adhesive vignette must be affixed correctly and cannot be moved to another vehicle. Check trailers and vehicles over 3.5 tonnes separately.

Official purchase process

1. Check whether the route and vehicle category require a vignette.

2. For an e-vignette, open the official Via shop and enter the vehicle category, country of registration and registration plate.

3. Check the country and plate carefully before payment.

4. Buy an adhesive vignette only from an official or trusted outlet and affix it as instructed.

5. You do not need to carry a receipt on the road, but keep it for corrections or duplicate charges.

Plate and vehicle changes

An input error on a foreign plate can be corrected once within 24 hours of purchase in the webshop ticket. A later transfer to a new plate is possible only if the vehicle and holder remain the same and the required documents are supplied. If the plate stays the same when the vehicle changes, the e-vignette remains valid; if both vehicle and plate change, it cannot be transferred.

If the ticket is no longer available, FOCBS provides a separate plate-transfer request. An adhesive vignette cannot be moved to a different vehicle.

Avoid fraud and unnecessary surcharges

Third parties may charge handling fees for e-vignettes, and FOCBS warns about online fraud. The safest route is the official Via shop linked from the FOCBS page. Check the domain before entering plate or payment data. There is no automatic annual renewal or short-term Swiss vignette.

Pre-travel checklist

• Correct year and vehicle category selected.

• Country of registration and plate checked.

• Official Via shop used or sticker correctly affixed.

• Trailer or vehicle above 3.5 tonnes checked separately.

• Parking rules and local fines checked separately.

Primary sources

FOCBS: e-vignette and adhesive vignette

FOCBS: motorway charge FAQ

Last factual review: 29 August 2026. Verify the exact vehicle category and conditions current at purchase directly with FOCBS.