Switzerland to charge drivers a transit fee for passing through without stopping

Swiss Parliament Approves New Transit Fee for Drivers Passing Through

The Swiss parliament has voted overwhelmingly in favor of a new transit fee, with the National Council approving the measure by 173 votes to 13. Under the plan, motorists who cross Switzerland from border to border without stopping in the country will face an additional charge. The proposed transit fee is expected to amount to around 21 Swiss francs (approximately €23) per journey. With the Council of States already in agreement, the decision marks the first time both chambers have backed such a measure with a clear political majority.

For millions of vacationers who travel through the Gotthard Tunnel from Germany to Italy each year, the change could mean tangible extra costs. The familiar Swiss vignette alone will no longer suffice—future charges will also depend on how long travelers remain in the country and the purpose of their trip. Those who enter in the morning and exit on the other side by evening could automatically be billed the additional fee.

The new rule would primarily affect travelers from southwestern Germany, who frequently use Switzerland's central road tunnels en route to Italy or southern France. Key transit routes would be impacted, including the Gotthard toward Lake Garda and Lombardy, the San Bernardino to Lake Como, the Simplon into Piedmont and Liguria, and the Great St. Bernard into the Aosta Valley. Journeys via Geneva toward the Côte d'Azur or Provence would also fall under the regulation.

Why Introduce a Transit Fee Now?

The strain on Switzerland's Alpine routes from transit traffic has been a long-standing political issue. Roughly 90% of all traffic jams occur between Easter and October—precisely when vacationers from northern Europe head to the Mediterranean. About one-third of all Alpine crossings consist of pure through-traffic: drivers who contribute nothing to the Swiss economy but place a burden on infrastructure and cause congestion in narrow mountain valleys.

The composition of this traffic is particularly striking. Some 87% of journeys are for leisure and tourism—not commuters or freight transport—meaning holidaymakers are overwhelmingly responsible for pushing the system to its limits.

Regions like the canton of Uri, located along the Gotthard corridor, bear the brunt of the impact. Residents endure miles-long traffic jams, diversionary routes through small villages, noise, and exhaust fumes—all for traffic from which they derive little benefit. The new fee aims to actively manage these peak travel periods, encouraging some drivers to shift their trips to off-peak times or alternative routes.

Revenue from the fee will not simply flow into the general budget. Instead, funds are earmarked for the National Road and Agglomeration Traffic Fund, directly financing infrastructure improvements.

How Would It Work?

Technically, the system would rely on vehicle tracking at border crossings. If a car exits Switzerland within a set timeframe—around twelve hours is under discussion—without any detectable stop in the country, the fee would be automatically triggered. Unlike manual checks or self-reporting, the process would use automated comparisons of entry and exit data.

The fee is also designed to be flexible. Drivers traveling during peak times—such as a Friday evening before summer holidays—could pay more than those on the road outside high-traffic periods. Beyond generating revenue, the model aims to incentivize travelers to avoid congested times, helping to distribute traffic more evenly.

What Happens Next?

While both parliamentary chambers have given political approval, the practical implementation remains pending. Transport Minister Albert Rösti has been tasked with drafting a detailed proposal outlining the fee's amount, structure, and enforcement mechanisms.

Several key questions must still be resolved: How exactly will a "transit journey" be defined, and at what point does a stop count as a stay? How can the measure be reconciled with existing bilateral agreements between Switzerland and the EU? And what would a seamless technical rollout at all border crossings entail?

Once the Federal Council finalizes the proposal, it will return to parliament for further debate. If constitutional amendments are required, the Swiss public will have the final say in a national referendum.

For now, transit through Switzerland will continue under the existing rules. However, anyone planning to travel over the Gotthard Pass in the coming summers should keep an eye on further developments.