Easter 2026: 190 cross-border commuters fined in Chiasso for missing motorway vignette

Context

TL;DR

• 190 fines issued for missing Swiss motorway vignette in Chiasso during Easter 2026.
• Fine for missing vignette is 200 francs, exceeding the 40-franc vignette cost.
• 45% of commuters opted for digital e-vignette in 2025, up from previous years.
• Chiasso border sees peak traffic during Easter, with intensified checks.

Key facts

• Number of fines: 190
• Total vehicles checked: 1,620
• Irregularity rate: 11.7%
• Cost of vignette: 40 francs (adhesive or digital)
• Fine for missing vignette: 200 francs
• E-vignette adoption rate: 45% of commuters in 2025
• Vehicles with e-vignette in 2025: ~5 million
• Foreign license plates with e-vignette: 42%

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 during the year. It also eliminates the need to remove and reapply the adhesive vignette in case of a vehicle change.

'The e-vignette simplifies the process for commuters and reduces administrative hassles,' noted a TCS spokesperson.

Regulations and penalties: what the law says

The Swiss Federal Supreme Court recently upheld the ban on removing an adhesive vignette to transfer it to another vehicle. This practice is not only illegal but also carries the risk of penalties. The 200-franc fine for missing a vignette is in addition to the vignette’s cost, which stands at 40 francs for either the adhesive or digital version. Revenue from vignette sales flows into the National Roads and Agglomeration Traffic Fund, financing highway maintenance, sustainable mobility projects, and public transport infrastructure in Ticino and other Swiss regions.

📊 Key figures:

• Cost of vignette: 40 francs (adhesive or digital)
• Fine for missing vignette: 200 francs
• Vehicles with e-vignette in 2025: ~5 million

💡 Did you know? The vignette is mandatory even for transit vehicles, not just those entering Switzerland for work or tourism.

🚨 ⚠️ Important: Controls at the Chiasso border are just one part of the FOCBS’s activities. During peak periods, such as holidays, inspections are stepped up to ensure compliance and road safety. The customs office also reminded drivers that the vignette requirement applies universally, regardless of the driver’s nationality or travel purpose.

The FOCBS continues to monitor compliance year-round, with a focus on education and enforcement to maintain Switzerland’s road safety standards and infrastructure quality.

Operational details

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 faced with two options: pay the immediate fine of 200 francs or purchase the vignette on the spot, with an additional fee. In both cases, the penalty far exceeds the cost of the sticker. During the Easter checks, many cross-border commuters were caught unprepared, especially those using the family car or their partner's car, without being aware of the vignette requirement.

Another common scenario concerns rental vehicles. If the rental contract does not include coverage for the Swiss vignette, the driver is personally responsible for purchasing the sticker. Some rental companies offer the option of including the vignette in the price, but this is not common practice. Cross-border commuters should therefore always check the terms of the rental contract before leaving.

Costs and Savings: A Direct Comparison

TCS data confirm that preference for the e-vignette is steadily growing. In 2025, 45% of cross-border commuters chose this solution, a percentage that reflects the convenience and efficiency of digital. However, the fine for failing to display the vignette remains a real risk, especially during peak periods, when customs checks are stricter.

Useful tools to protect your net income

To reduce FX leakage, compare CHF-EUR exchange options and banks for cross-border workers.

Key points

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 online, but shipping may take a few days. Alternatively, you can go to a post office or vending machine in Italy, but it is advisable to check availability in advance.

Step 3: Check the validity of the vignette

Before leaving, check that the vignette is still valid. The adhesive vignette has an annual validity, while the e-vignette can be purchased for shorter periods (e.g. monthly or annual). Those who use the car only occasionally can opt for a shorter-duration vignette, saving on costs.

For the e-vignette, it is possible to check the validity directly on the UDSC portal, by entering the vehicle's license plate. For the adhesive version, the expiration date is printed on the sticker itself.

Step 4: Keep the documentation

Even if the e-vignette does not require physical application, it is advisable to keep the purchase confirmation (email or print) on board the vehicle. In case of inspection, customs officers may request the documentation to verify the regularity of the position.

What to do in case of fine

If you receive a fine for the lack of vignette, you can pay it online or at a Swiss post office within the deadline indicated in the notice. Late payment results in the application of interest and further penalties.

⚠️ Warning: Do not pay the fine without verifying the regularity of the penalty. In case of doubt, it is advisable to consult a tax advisor specialized in cross-border matters.

Useful tools for cross-border commuters

To simplify the management of the vignette and other administrative procedures related to cross-border work, our website offers various tools:

• Calculate the total cost of the car in Ticino to include the vignette in the calculations.
• Compare car transfer costs between Italy and Switzerland for those who travel frequently.
• Discover tax benefits for cross-border commuters to optimize the tax return.

Don't risk paying hefty fines: purchase the vignette before you leave and travel with peace of mind between Italy and Ticino.

Source: tvsvizzera.it