Traffic regulations in Switzerland are similar to those in other European countries, but the fines they impose are very severe, especially when it comes to speeding. There are numerous speed cameras on Swiss roads, and the most serious penalties include withdrawal of driving licences, fines of several thousand Swiss francs and even imprisonment.
In Switzerland ‘public fines’ have a fixed amount and a simplified procedure. The amount indicated is not reduced, 100% of the fine is paid within 30 days. All penalties for which a fixed amount is indicated on this page are ‘public fines’.
Speeding fines in Switzerland
Speed limits in Switzerland are: 120 km/h on motorways, 100 km/h on ‘semi-highways’, 80 km/h on main and secondary roads and 50 km/h on urban roads. There are limits below 50 km/h in urban areas, which are properly signposted.
The following table shows the amount of fines for speeding in Switzerland.
| Speeding | In town | Outside town and on semi-highways | On motorways |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 5 km/h | 40 | 40 | 20 |
| 6 to 10 km/h | 120 | 100 | 60 |
| 11 to 15 km/h | 250 | 160 | 120 |
| 16 to 20 km/h | Offence | 240 | 180 |
| 21 to 25 km/h | Offence | Offence | 260 |
| More than 25 km/h | Offence | Offence | Offence |
The tolerance range of Swiss speed cameras varies between 3 and 15 km/h depending on the type of camera. These margins are regulated in article 8 of the Ordinance on Road Traffic Controls. This means that if you are driving at 54 km/h in an area limited to 50 km/h and a laser radar, which has a 3 km/h margin of error, detects you speeding, you will be fined for driving at 51 km/h, as the safety margin is subtracted from the speed detected.
When speeding is considered a criminal offence, a financial fine of at least 400 Swiss francs is imposed. The amount can be up to several thousand francs plus court costs depending on the speeding and dangerousness of the offence. The most serious convictions can lead to prison sentences for the offender.
Fines for driving without a vignette in Switzerland
To drive on Swiss motorways and semi-highways, it is necessary to purchase a vignette in advance. The vignette is a physical or electronic sticker that allows you to drive on all the country’s motorways for one year without a kilometre limit. The fine for driving without a vignette is CHF 200 plus the cost of the vignette, CHF 40 in 2024.
Parking fines in Switzerland
Parking fines in urban areas generally cost between CHF 80 and 120. Outside localities the amount varies between CHF 40 and CHF 100.
These are the amounts of some of the most common parking fines in Switzerland:
- The fine for exceeding the maximum authorised time in regulated parking zones (blue zone) range from CHF 40 to CHF 100.
- The fine for parking less than 5 metres from a junction or on a pedestrian crossing is CHF 120.
- Double parking is penalised with a fine of CHF 80.
Other traffic fines in Switzerland
- Fines for driving without daytime running lights: In Switzerland it is compulsory to drive with your parking lights on during the day. The fine for not having them on is CHF 40.
- Running a red light: 250 CHF. The fine notice indicates the exact time that the red light was on.
- Using a mobile phone while driving: CHF 100.
- Not wearing a seat belt or helmet, as appropriate: 60 CHF.
- Overtaking in the right lane: 250 CHF.
Paying a Swiss fine
Swiss traffic fines are payable to the issuing cantonal or municipal authority. Swiss fines can be paid online by credit card; in some cases payment by bank transfer is also possible. The information required to pay a Swiss fine is the penalty number and the registration number of the offending vehicle. The deadline for payment is 30 days.
Here are the official websites for paying a fine in the most important cantons and cities in Switzerland:
If you pay by credit card, your bank will apply the corresponding exchange rate. To pay by bank transfer, you can consult the official EUR-CHF exchange rate on the website of the European Central Bank.