Countries › Switzerland
Switzerland
At a glance
- Traffic
- on the right
- Currency
- CHF
- Plugs
- types C, J · 230 V
- Emergency
- 112
Entering the country
- Schengen Area: 90 days in any 180-day period, all Schengen countries counted together.
- Passport valid at least 3 months after you leave Schengen and issued less than 10 years ago.
- EES: fingerprints and photo taken on your first entry into Schengen, then checked at each crossing (system in place since 2025-2026).
- ETIAS: online travel authorisation, planned for late 2026; check whether it's in force before you go.
- In Schengen but outside the EU: customs at every crossing (alcohol, meat, purchases).
Driver and insurance
- International Driving Permit recommended (CAA, AAA): cheap, and it saves trouble.
- Insurance: your North American policy isn't valid here. You need European insurance for a vehicle registered outside Europe, with its green card.
Speed limits
| Town | Road | Motorway | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car, light RV | 50 | 80 | 120 |
| With a trailer or caravan | 50 | 80 | 80 |
In km/h. Signs always take precedence.
Tolls and vignettes Vignette
Annual motorway vignette required (CHF 40, electronic e-vignette tied to the plate, or sticker). A caravan or trailer needs its own. Over 3.5 t: flat-rate heavy vehicle charge (PSVA) instead, paid at customs. Great St Bernard tunnel tolled.
Low-emission zones
None known for cars and RVs.
Boondocking Depends on the region
Depends on the canton and town: often banned outside campgrounds. One rest night at a rest area is generally tolerated. Ask the landowner in the mountains.
Mandatory equipment
- Warning triangle
- Country-of-registration sticker (CDN or USA) on the back
Winter : Winter equipment depending on conditions, usually from November 1 to April 15.
Good to know
- Speeding is punished very harshly (income-based fines, licence withdrawn).
- Radar detectors banned, including in GPS units.
Frequently asked questions
- Switzerland: what do you need to enter the country with your vehicle?
- Schengen Area: 90 days in any 180-day period, all Schengen countries counted together. Passport valid at least 3 months after you leave Schengen and issued less than 10 years ago. EES: fingerprints and photo taken on your first entry into Schengen, then checked at each crossing (system in place since 2025-2026). ETIAS: online travel authorisation, planned for late 2026; check whether it's in force before you go. In Schengen but outside the EU: customs at every crossing (alcohol, meat, purchases). International Driving Permit recommended (CAA, AAA): cheap, and it saves trouble. Insurance: your North American policy isn't valid here. You need European insurance for a vehicle registered outside Europe, with its green card.
- Switzerland: what are the speed limits?
- Car and light RV: 50 in town, 80 on rural roads, 120 on motorways (km/h). With a trailer or caravan: 80 on rural roads, 80 on motorways.
- Switzerland: do you need a vignette or pay tolls?
- Annual motorway vignette required (CHF 40, electronic e-vignette tied to the plate, or sticker). A caravan or trailer needs its own. Over 3.5 t: flat-rate heavy vehicle charge (PSVA) instead, paid at customs. Great St Bernard tunnel tolled.
- Switzerland: are there low emission zones?
- None known for cars and RVs.
- Switzerland: is wild camping allowed?
- Depends on the region. Depends on the canton and town: often banned outside campgrounds. One rest night at a rest area is generally tolerated. Ask the landowner in the mountains.
- Switzerland: what equipment is required in the vehicle?
- Warning triangle, Country-of-registration sticker (CDN or USA) on the back. Winter equipment depending on conditions, usually from November 1 to April 15.