Stricter Controls for Cars Registered in Grisons (cross-border guide)

Context

TL;DR

• Ticino cracks down on cars registered in Grisons but mainly used there.
• Police to actively check vehicle parking compliance with federal rules.
• Owners must register cars in the canton where they are predominantly used.
• Non-compliance may result in fines and re-registration costs.

Key facts

• Cosa: Crackdown on cars registered in Grisons but mainly used in Ticino.
• Quando: Announced by State Councilor Claudio Zali in an interview with RSI's SEIDISERA.
• Dove: Canton of Ticino, Switzerland.
• Chi: State Councilor Claudio Zali and the cantonal police.
• Importo: Circulation tax for a 50,000 CHF vehicle: 1,000 CHF per year. Fine for non-payment: 500 CHF.
• Scadenza: Federal regulation effective from January 1, 2020.
• Regolamento: Vehicles must be registered in the canton where they are predominantly stationed.

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Operational details

Tighter Controls for Vehicles Registered in the Grisons

The federal regulation stipulates that a vehicle must be registered in the canton where it is predominantly stationed. This principle, often not well-known by owners, is the basis for the new control campaign. The Traffic Section of the Department of Public Safety in the Grisons canton clarified that many may have acted in good faith, believing that obtaining a Grisons license plate would allow for the use of the vehicle without any particular restrictions. In reality, the federal order is clear: the license plate issued by a canton implies that the vehicle is predominantly stationed in that territory.

In previous years, the Traffic Section recorded between 30 and 40 summonses annually to regularize these situations. The recent decline may be due to:

• New calculation basis for the circulation tax
• Reduction of taxes in Ticino
• Greater awareness of the risks

However, the authorities believe that the phenomenon is still significant and deserves particular attention. The cantonal police will be sensitized on this issue and will be given higher priority in their operational tasks.

Concrete Examples

For example, if a vehicle owner registered in Bellinzona, Switzerland, resides in Lugano, Switzerland, and regularly works in Como, Italy, they may be considered a vehicle registered in Switzerland that is predominantly stationed in Italy. In this case, the owner may be subject to controls and may need to regularize the situation by paying any outstanding taxes or fines.

Regulations and Amounts

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Key points

Stricter Controls for Vehicles Registered in Grisons Important Notice for Owners of Vehicles Registered in Other Cantons but Stationed in Ticino: To ensure compliance with regulations, follow these steps: 1. Verify Primary Stationing Location: Confirm it matches the registration canton. For example, if a homeowner in Lugano owns a car registered in Grisons but primarily uses it for commuting to work in Lugano, they must check if their vehicle is subject to stricter controls. 2. Re-register in Ticino if Necessary: Re-registration can be requested at the Ticino Cantonal Traffic Office, responsible for managing registrations in Ticino. 3. Be Aware of More Frequent and Systematic Checks: Controls may occur even during peak traffic hours. The Canton of Ticino provides a re-registration service to support citizens through this process. To calculate potential tax differences between cantons, use the Tax Calculator. Concrete Example: A homeowner in Lugano with a car registered in Grisons, primarily used for commuting to work in Lugano, must re-register the car in Ticino due to stricter controls. The re-registration cost might be around 150 CHF, plus potential fees for registration in the Canton's Registry. The Tax Calculator might indicate a 100 CHF difference compared to the circulation tax paid in Grisons. Legislation: Ticino's road traffic regulations are set by the State Council Decree of May 20, 2019 (effective January 1, 2020). It states that vehicles registered in other cantons but stationed in Ticino for more than 90 days a year are subject to stricter controls. Operational Checklist: For compliance, owners of vehicles registered in other cantons but stationed in Ticino can use this checklist: - Verify if your vehicle is subject to stricter controls - Ensure the primary stationing location matches the registration canton - Re-register in Ticino if necessary - Calculate potential tax differences using the Tax Calculator Practical Scenario Comparison: - Scenario 1: A homeowner in Lugano with a Grisons-registered car used mainly for work in Lugano might face a re-registration cost of around 150 CHF, plus Registry fees. - Scenario 2: A homeowner in Bellinzona with a Ticino-registered car used for work in Bellinzona incurs no additional re-registration costs. Contact the Cantonal Traffic Office: For personalized advice on your situation, contact the Cantonal Traffic Office, responsible for managing Ticino's registrations and providing guidance on legislation and re-registration procedures.