Swiss motorway tolls for motorhomes over 3500 kg.
- A great value for money "toll"
Summary
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( votes)Swiss motorway tolls are actually known as a tax in Switzerland. By and large, the Swiss use the weight of the vehicle to determine the toll category. If you are travelling with a car, motorcycle, trailer, caravan or a motorhome weighing less than 3500 kg, please read our article about Swiss motorway vignettes by clicking here
It is possible to pre purchase the “Swiss motorway vignettes” (stickers) for cars, caravans and motorhomes under 3500 kg. However, drivers of vehicles above this weight must complete a paper document. This is a three part form. Consequently, it is not available on line.
Swiss motorway tolls – paperwork for vehicles over 3500 kg
Drivers of motorhomes over 3500 kg will need to complete a form like this one to pay for their Swiss motorway tolls
I receive many emails and queries about the documentation required for larger motorhomes. By popular demand, you will see an example (above) of the document and how to complete it. These carbon set forms are available at the Swiss border points. The paper document is in French, German and Italian. There is only a small amount of information in English. It is not, as far as I am aware, possible to obtain these documents anywhere other than in Switzerland.
To the top row, centre, enter your vehicle registration number. To the right, you need to add the registration plate for any trailer you are towing. (In the UK, the trailer bears the same registration number as the towing vehicle. Many European countries have registration systems in place for trailers. Therefore the document has space for a second registration number.)
Swiss motorway tolls – coaches and other non goods vehicles
Below this is the area where you complete the type of vehicle – such as bus, motorhome over 3500 kg etc and choose which Swiss motorway toll (known as a tax) payment you require. Within this section, the left hand column shows the type of vehicle, so bus at the top, then large motorhome and so on. The column to the right of the picture symbols relates to the weight of the vehicle. The third column from the left shows the price per DAY. The fourth column from the left shows the price per MONTH. The fifth column from the left shows the ANNUAL tariff. Finally, the far right column shows the tariff for “ten single days” within a twelve month period. This is particularly useful for the motorhomer.
Swiss motorway tolls – the costs
Note, the price per day for a motorhome over 3500 kg is 3.25 swiss francs per day. However, a minimum charge of twenty-five Swiss Francs applies. Consequently, for those planning a return trip, it is better value to complete the column to the far right. This give you ten days worth of travel within a twelve month period.
The blue shaded area is where the dates are completed for each day you travel in Switzerland and also each day the vehicle remains in Switzerland. There are ten spaces and these are completed when purchasing the “10 single days” option.
Moving now to the bottom left, your name, address, the date you complete the form and your signature. The area to the bottom right will is for use by official staff when purchasing the document.
Swiss motorway tolls – good value for money!
I think that for 32.50 Swiss Francs, allowing ten days worth of use in a twelve month period, is excellent value for money. The Swiss motorway tolls system is easy and convenient – no stopping at toll booths etc. Swiss efficiency as usual!
Voyager understands that one box/date section on the paper form is to be completed for each day you are in Switzerland, even if you are not on the road. So for example, arrive in Switzerland on Monday, stay on a campsite until Thursday. You must complete one box fore ach day, so four boxes in total. An email from the relevant department in Switzerland advises as follows
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For a motorhome with a weight of over 3.5 tonnes you have to pay a heavy vehicle charge (in form of a lump sum). You can find the details in following fact sheet: (click here)
Calculation examples (form 15.91): 4 days (each day spent in Switzerland, even if the vehicle is only parked and not driven) = CHF 13.–, at least CHF 25.–. 10 single days = CHF 32.50 (Monday – Thursday = four boxes). Payable directly at a manned customs office when entering Switzerland (common credit cards are accepted).
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Hi. Very useful info here that is obviously tried and tested – thank you. Can you pay in euro or by card? What do you suggest?
We always pay using a fee free credit card to avoid any conversion costs. You can however pay in Swiss Francs or Euro at Basle/Mulhouse – not sure about other border points!
Thanks for the info, very helpful.
Noticed that some border controls are not open 24/7 so, as we are probably entering at the weekend, I hope ours will be. Probably enter at Basel, so I’m guessing it is a main one and should be open.
I’m going to have a browse through your website to see if I can find any where for a nice overnight stop in Switzerland.
Thanks again, Mike
Hi – I am not sure if Basle is open 24/7, but it has always been open when I have passed through, and that includes with coaches, often at “silly o’clock” with the overnight journeys to Italy. On arrival at the border, you will be directed to the right to park up. The office is adjacent and the paper forms you require are on a table. If you pay by card, select Swiss Francs (SFR) on the machine as the sterling equivalent offered is at a poor rate. There are toilets available if needed.
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Thanks for this information. We took a photo of your website and used that in the office. For those that don’t know the system, it’s a bit confusing and easy to end up paying two lots of 25.
Strange that the instructions are in all languages except our mother tongue.
That’s a great tip with the photo’!
Thanks for getting in touch.
This is very helpful – we’re planning to enter via Basel and hope that the office will be open. The Swiss Customs website is confusing in that it says the office on the auobahn is only open until 1300 on a Saturday for commercial traffic, but until 2145 for all other entry traffic. Has anyone tried it recently and can share their experience? I’m assuming as we are not commercial, just heavy, we will be OK.
As far as I know, the regulations relate to vehicles carrying commercial goods – ie lorries. You will see lorry parks all over the place – packed to the rafters! Some motorways do close overnight for maintenance. These are usually well sign posted.
Thanks for your very helpful advice.
I have one more question though, do we need registration documents to get the vignette? We are over 3.5.
We only bought the motorhome new on sat so we don’t have any reg docs yet and are going to Switzerland this Saturday. Do you think this will be a problem?
Thanks
Heather
Hello. thank you for getting in touch. My understanding is that it is a legal requirement in some countries to carry the V5 (log book). I was asked for mine at the Swiss border near Besancon for example. My own rule when travelling, UK or foreign, is to ensure I am fully legal and safe, so for example, tax in date, insurance, all paperwork etc. Anything else, such as a forgotten tin opener can be sorted out on the road. This RAC link advises that the V5 is a requirement when travelling in Italy. I would not travel without it. I’d suggest you speak to your insurer and the DVLA for some clarity. I will also add that I have been asked to show the V5 and even an invoice at Dover before
Thanks for this advice. Went through at Basel this morning. Ignored the lorry lanes and followed the car/trailer/coach lane straight to the office. Forms still as noted above, 5 minutes and on our way.
Good to know it’s all still the same.
Hi Russell thank you for the information. We are going through Switzerland but not sure how long we are going to be there for and we are over 3.5t. If we pay for 10 days do you have to specify which ten days? If you stay longer how do you pay the e travel. Thank you BW sheila
Hi. The 12 months starts the day you buy the document. So buy one today, 21st April 2019 and you have ten days worth of use until 20th April 2020. You fill in the dates on the day you use them. The dates do not have to be specified in advance.
Thank you very much. Your blog has been extremely helpful. Can I just check when you are travelling on toll free roads are these dual carraigeways? We tend to stick to motorways but after looking at your blog was thinking of trying some of your routes.
Thanks again BW sheila
Hello there – difficult to say really. Some are dual carriageways and others are not so. Many roads though, such as the D955 towards Chateau Salins are good quality and it is easy to maintain the speed limit.
Excellent blogg has helped me a lot as planning a trip April this year if borders are still open