Easter 2026: 190 cross-border commuters fined in Chiasso for missing motorway vignette
During the extended Easter weekend in 2026, Chiasso customs issued 190 fines to drivers without a valid motorway vignette. In 2025, 45% of cross-border commuters opted for the e-vignette.
Contesto
During the 2026 Easter controls at the Chiasso border crossing, the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS) issued 190 fines for the lack of the mandatory Swiss motorway vignette. A total of 1,620 vehicles were checked, with an irregularity rate of 11.7%. Each driver without a vignette was fined 200 francs—a sum that exceeds the cost of the vignette itself by 160 francs. The checks took place during the long Easter weekend, when cross-border traffic between Italy and Ticino reaches historic peaks. The Chiasso customs office, the main access point for commuters heading to Ticino and inland Switzerland, confirmed that most violations involved vehicles with Italian license plates. The FOCBS clarified that no disaggregated data by driver nationality has been disclosed, but stressed that surveillance was intensified precisely during the holiday period. ## The two sides of the vignette: paper and digital The Swiss motorway vignette, known locally as the vignette, is mandatory for driving on Swiss highways. For several years now, alongside the traditional adhesive version, a digital e-vignette has also been available—a solution that eliminates the need for physical application on the windshield. According to data from the Swiss Touring Club (TCS), in 2025, 45% of commuters opted for the digital version, up from previous years. In 2025, nearly 5 million vehicles were registered with an e-vignette, compared to 3.8 million in 2024. Of these, 42% were held by owners of vehicles with foreign license plates—a significant share reflecting commuters’ preference for the digital solution. The e-vignette is linked to the vehicle’s license plate, not the car itself, offering a practical advantage especially for those with transferable plates or who purchase a vehicle du...
Dettagli operativi
For cross-border commuters who daily cross the border between Italy and Ticino, the motorway vignette represents a fixed cost that adds to the expenses of running a car. The choice between the paper and electronic versions is not just a matter of practicality, but also of regulatory compliance and long-term savings. During Easter 2026, the 190 drivers fined in Chiasso had to face an immediate expense of 200 francs, in addition to the cost of the missing vignette. For those who frequently travel to Switzerland, the e-vignette remains the most convenient solution. ### Before vs. After: What Changes for Cross-Border Commuters Before the introduction of the e-vignette, cross-border commuters had to purchase an adhesive sticker to be applied to the windshield. This entailed two main problems: the need to purchase a new vignette in the event of a change of vehicle and the hassle of removing the expired or damaged one. With the e-vignette, however, the sticker is linked to the vehicle's license plate and can be purchased online in a few minutes. There is no need to print any documents: simply register the license plate on the official portal and pay by credit card or bank transfer. Another advantage of the e-vignette is its flexibility. Since it is not physically attached to the vehicle, it can also be used in the case of rental or borrowed cars with foreign plates. This is particularly useful for cross-border commuters who occasionally drive vehicles other than their own. In addition, online purchasing avoids queues at customs offices or authorized points of sale, a valuable time-saver for those who cross the border every day. ### Practical Scenarios: What Risks Do Cross-Border Commuters Face A driver who forgets to purchase the vignette before entering Switzerland is face...
Punti chiave
For cross-border commuters who cross the Chiasso border crossing or other checkpoints between Italy and Ticino on a daily basis, purchasing the motorway vignette is a requirement that cannot be overlooked. Here is a step-by-step guide to avoid fines and simplify the procedure. ### Step 1: Choose the most suitable version First of all, decide whether to purchase the adhesive vignette or the e-vignette. The former is ideal for those who own only one vehicle and have no problem removing and reapplying the sticker. The latter is the best solution for those who use multiple cars, have transferable license plates or prefer the convenience of digital. - Adhesive vignette: can be purchased at post offices, vending machines, service stations or online on the UDSC website. The sticker must be applied to the windshield before entering Switzerland. - E-vignette: can be purchased exclusively online on the official UDSC portal (www.ch.ch). Simply register the vehicle's license plate, pay by credit card or bank transfer and receive confirmation by email. There is no need to print anything: the vignette is valid as soon as the payment is registered. ### Step 2: Purchase the vignette before your trip The purchase must be made before entering Switzerland. It is not possible to purchase the vignette directly at the customs or on the motorway. Those who forget to purchase it before the trip risk having to pay a fine of 200 francs. For the e-vignette, the process is immediate: 1. Access the portal www.ch.ch. 2. Select the option Purchase motorway vignette. 3. Enter the vehicle's license plate and the owner's details. 4. Make the payment by credit card or bank transfer. 5. Receive confirmation by email. The vignette is active immediately. For the adhesive vignette, it can be purchased o...
Punti chiave
[{"q":"Can I buy the vignette directly at the Chiasso customs if I forgot to do so beforehand?","a":"No. The vignette must be purchased before entering Switzerland. It cannot be bought at the customs or on the highway. If caught without a vignette during a check, you will receive a 200 franc fine, regardless of the possibility to buy it on the spot."},{"q":"Is the e-vignette also valid for rented vehicles with Italian license plates?","a":"Yes. The e-vignette is linked to the vehicle's license plate, not the owner. Therefore, it can also be used on rented cars with foreign plates, provided the plate is correctly registered at the time of purchase."},{"q":"How long does it take to purchase the e-vignette online?","a":"The process is immediate. After registering the license plate and paying online, the vignette is active right away. There's no need to wait for confirmations or physical documents, although it's advisable to keep the email confirmation in the vehicle."},{"q":"Can the adhesive vignette be removed and reapplied to another vehicle?","a":"No. According to a ruling by the Swiss Federal Court in July 2025, it is forbidden to remove the adhesive vignette to apply it to another vehicle. This practice is considered illegal and carries the risk of penalties."},{"q":"Do vignette proceeds only finance Swiss motorways?","a":"No. Vignette revenues flow into the National Roads and Agglomeration Traffic Fund, which also finances sustainable mobility projects, cycling and pedestrian infrastructure, and public transport in agglomeration areas, including those in Ticino."}]
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I buy the vignette directly at the Chiasso customs if I forgot to do so beforehand?
- No. The vignette must be purchased **before entering Switzerland**. It cannot be bought at the customs or on the highway. If caught without a vignette during a check, you will receive a 200 franc fine, regardless of the possibility to buy it on the spot.
- Is the e-vignette also valid for rented vehicles with Italian license plates?
- Yes. The e-vignette is linked to the **vehicle's license plate**, not the owner. Therefore, it can also be used on rented cars with foreign plates, provided the plate is correctly registered at the time of purchase.
- How long does it take to purchase the e-vignette online?
- The process is immediate. After registering the license plate and paying online, the vignette is active **right away**. There's no need to wait for confirmations or physical documents, although it's advisable to keep the email confirmation in the vehicle.
- Can the adhesive vignette be removed and reapplied to another vehicle?
- No. According to a ruling by the Swiss Federal Court in **July 2025**, it is forbidden to remove the adhesive vignette to apply it to another vehicle. This practice is considered illegal and carries the risk of penalties.
- Do vignette proceeds only finance Swiss motorways?
- No. Vignette revenues flow into the **National Roads and Agglomeration Traffic Fund**, which also finances sustainable mobility projects, cycling and pedestrian infrastructure, and public transport in agglomeration areas, including those in Ticino.