Coming into force this year, this tax can reach 62 euros for certain motorists. An expense to take into account before hitting the road.
When you prepare for a vacation abroad by starting by your own means, you first think of what seems to be the most important: reserve accommodation, check the local currency to avoid unpleasant surprises when paying, or even consult the any vaccines required to enter the country. Some go so far as to prepare a full medical kit, download translation applications or reserve their visits in advance. To tell the truth, these are quite logical reflexes. Most travelers pay a lot of attention to what affects comfort, health or safety. However, few think of inquiring about the local traffic rules or the taxes in force for vehicles.
Do you need a sticker to borrow the highway? A special authorization to drive in certain urban areas? A tax at the entrance to the country? These questions are rarely asked upstream, and yet, in several countries, certain roads, borders or cities give rise to specific taxes. These costs, often unknown, can sometimes reach several tens of euros. And as they are not always well reported or translated, many travelers discover them at the last moment, or even too late, during a road check. This is precisely the case in a country neighboring France.
Since January 1, 2025, Switzerland has set up a new tax intended for foreign motorists circulating with a housing vehicle, that is to say motorhomes. As explained by the official Vignetteswitzerland.com website, “There is not only one regulation that applies to all vehicles in Switzerland, but several different regulations concerning the toll.” The tax for motorhomes is not calculated according to the kilometers traveled, but depending on the length of the stay. “The longer you stay (or often) in Switzerland with your motorhome, the higher the costs”, explain the authorities.
In detail, for holidaymakers who provide a short stay in Switzerland with a residential vehicle, the most interesting formula is that ranging from 1 to 30 consecutive days. The price is 3.25 Swiss francs (around 3.30 euros) per day, but a minimum fee of 25 CHF (around 25.50 euros) applies. In other words, even for a single day on Swiss territory, you will have to pay at least 25 Swiss francs. For those who provide several back and forth in the year, another option can be accused for 10 non-consecutive days for 32.50 CHF (around 33 euros). If you plan to stay longer, it will then be necessary to provide 58.50 CHF (around 60 euros) per month, and up to 650 CHF (around 665 euros) for a full year.
In addition, you should also know that certain alpine tunnels remain subject to a special toll. For the Munt-la-Schera tunnel, the tax is 44 CHF (around 45 euros) round trip, in addition to the main fee. In all cases, the tax for motorhomes must be set either in advance via a mobile application or directly at the border post on D-Day.
