From August 1, the motorway tax stickers required in Switzerland will also be available electronically. This will make it easier and more convenient for drivers, but the Swiss government might lose up to CHF17 million ($19.5) in revenue, reports Swiss public television SRFExternal link.
As of next month instead of sticking the vignette on their car’s windscreen, people who want to drive in Switzerland will be able to buy and use their motorway sticker online, the Swiss government has announcedExternal link. The cost will remain the same at CHF40 ($45.9) for the calendar year in question. The main difference is that the sticker is only valid for the car it appears on, while the e-vignette will be linked to the number plate.
This will make it easier for drivers, because anyone who buys a new car in the course of the year no longer needs a new vignette and only one e-vignette will be required for exchangeable number plates instead of two.
But, for the Swiss government this might lead to a “loss of up to CH17.2 million in revenue”, Tabea Rüdin, media spokeswoman for the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS) told SRF. This revenue shortfall corresponds to less than 5% of the total revenue from motorway stickers sales. Last year the government collected a record CHF418 million.
The government expects additional income and savings in the long-term. “When the sticker is sold, a commission of 10% is paid to the sales partners. This is no longer the case with the e-vignette,” Rüdin explained.
In addition to this, money will also be saved on printing and dispatch, especially abroad. However, it is still not possible to predict how much will be saved, as it is unclear how many drivers will prefer the e-vignette to the traditional sticker. The latter will be abolished only when its share of total sales falls below 10%.
For now, the government is not planning any automated controls, but customs officers and cantonal police will continue to check for the motorway sticker and the number plates.
What factors should be taken into account when inheriting Swiss citizenship abroad?
Should there be a limit to the passing on of Swiss citizenship? Or is the current practice too strict and it should still be possible to register after the age of 25?
This content was published on
One in six homes in Switzerland is located in a zone threatened by natural hazards, a new study by Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB) has revealed.
This content was published on
The prices of owner-occupied properties continued to rise in the first three months of 2025. But large regional disparities remain.
Swiss Solidarity charity launches appeal for earthquake victims in Myanmar and Thailand
This content was published on
Swiss Solidarity, the humanitarian arm of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), has launched an appeal for donations for victims of the recent earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand.
Swiss finance minister to meet European counterparts to discuss trade tariffs
This content was published on
Swiss Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter will take part in a meeting of the EU's economics and finance (Ecofin) ministers in Warsaw, Poland, on Friday to discuss trade tariffs and economic growth in Europe.
Trump tariffs: Swiss economics minister holds talks with US trade representative
This content was published on
Swiss Economics Minister Guy Parmelin held talks with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on trade relations and tariffs on Monday.
US storm continues to sweep through Swiss stock market
This content was published on
The Swiss stock market continued to trade in the red mid-afternoon on Monday, following in the wake of the world's stock markets, which fell heavily as a result of the trade war launched by Donald Trump.
This content was published on
The referendum committee announced in Bern on Monday that it had collected more than 60,000 signatures against the e-ID project. The initials still need to be approved.
This content was published on
The number of offences committed by minors in canton Ticino, southern Switzerland, rose by over 20% in 2024 compared to the previous year.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Switzerland moots major motorway widening scheme
This content was published on
The NZZ am Sonntag newspaper has seen a government report entitled “Long Term Perspective on National Roads”. It pinpoints crucial axis points between major cities that need upgrading to ease traffic congestion. The triangle between Zurich, Bern and Basel is one key area that needs widening to six lanes along the entire route, the report…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.