When will the sticky vignette completely disappear in Switzerland?

According to the Federal Council, the sticker vignette will remain available for several more years. The abolition will only take place when its sales share falls below 10%. By 2026, it is expected that 50% of the markings sold will be in electronic form. The Government does not specify a precise date, but concludes that it will take years more.

Should we switch to the electronic vignette immediately or wait?

There is no urgency in switching to the electronic version. The sticker vignette will continue to be valid and available for several years. The choice remains personal: both versions will remain legally accepted until the transition to digital is complete.

Why did Parliament choose a dual system and not just a digital one?

Parliament opted for a dual system to allow a gradual transition to digital. The abolition of the sticker vignette will take place when its share falls below 10%, guaranteeing an orderly migration without shock for users and respecting the real time of adoption of the technology.

What is Austria doing and how does it affect Switzerland?

Austria will switch to a digital-only system from 2027, completely eliminating the sticker vignette. This creates two different scenarios for border crossers and travellers moving between the two countries: they will have freedom of choice in Switzerland, but in Austria digital will be mandatory in the coming years.

The sticky highway vignette will disappear, but not right away (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 27 August 2026

Swiss highway with vehicle traffic and Alpine landscape

The Federal Council confirms: vignette still stuck for years. Abolition only when it falls below 10% of sales. In 2026, digital share at 50%.

Context

In a nutshell

The sticker vignette will remain for several more years in Switzerland
Abolition will only happen when it falls below 10% of sales
For 2026 there is a 50% share of electronic markings

Key facts

What: Motion to abolish the sticky highway vignette
Who: National Councillor Thomas de Courten (UDC/BS) and Federal Council
When: 2026 (50% digital share); abolition in the future (years not specified)
Where: Switzerland
Abolition threshold: Less than 10% of total sales
Potential savings: Approximately CHF 20 million per year with digital-only system
International comparison: Austria will go digital from 2027

The Federal Council responded to a motion by National Councillor Thomas de Courten (UDC/BS) calling for the abolition of the sticky motorway vignette. The decision is clear: the adhesive version will remain available for several more years, despite the growing preference for the electronic one.

The adhesive vignette involves considerable costs related to production, distribution, sales and accounting. An exclusively electronic system would represent an annual saving of about 20 million francs — given that it fueled Courten's motion. Austria has already decided to take this step from 2027, following an international trend towards complete digitisation.

The dual system and the abolition threshold

However, the Swiss Parliament opted for a dual system.

Operational details

The dynamics of the digital transition

The 50% share of electronic vignettes planned for 2026 represents an important reference point on the path towards the abolition of the adhesive version. However, the Government does not specify a precise date to reach 10%, limiting itself to observing that it will have to wait "several more years". The exact timeline will depend on the speed with which Swiss motorists will spontaneously adopt the digital mark.

In parallel, Austria will proceed with the total elimination of the sticker vignette from 2027. This creates an asymmetrical scenario: those who move between Switzerland and Austria will have freedom of choice on the one hand (Switzerland) and will be obliged to go digital on the other (Austria). An asymmetry that could affect purchasing habits during the Swiss transition phase, especially for those who frequently cross borders.

The economic impact of digital choice

The saving of about CHF 20 million per year is a considerable figure in the budget of the Federal Administration. These amounts reflect the costs that the sticker vignette entails today in terms of production, distribution, sales and accounting. The Government recognises that digital-only management could bring these efficiencies, although the transition remains gradual and controlled.

For those living in Switzerland, this optimisation of public spending contributes to a gestione più efficiente delle risorse che impatta il costo della vita complessivo of residents. A

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Key points

Navigating between the two options today

Until the completion of the transition to digital (still years away), the choice remains in the hands of those traveling on Swiss highways. Both versions remain valid, available, and legally accepted.

Adhesive sticker: You can continue to purchase it online or at gas stations. It is still widespread and easily available at authorized retail outlets. Once purchased, it remains affixed to the windshield of the specific vehicle.

Electronic sticker: The digital version represents an alternative already chosen by 50% of motorists expected in 2026. This growing share confirms an adoption trend that the Government monitors to determine when to abolish the adhesive version.

The reference data for 2026

Almost half of the vignettes sold in 2026 will be in digital form. This means that over 50% of Swiss motorists will have already chosen the electronic solution, confirming a transition trend that will continue in the following years. The Federal Administration uses this data to assess when the adhesive version will drop below the critical threshold of 10%.

There are no urgent deadlines at the moment. The adhesive vignette will continue to be valid and available. It is advisable to monitor announcements from the Federal Administration when the moment of complete transition approaches — an event still several years away from 2026.

How to act in the coming months

If you decide to switch to the electronic version, you can purchase it directly online or at authorized retail outlets. If you prefer to keep the adhesive version, it continues to be a completely valid and available option for the coming years.

Discover all the legal ways to travel in Switzerland and the means available in our complete guide to transportation.

Source: rsi.ch

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the sticky vignette completely disappear in Switzerland?: According to the Federal Council, the sticker vignette will remain available for several more years. The abolition will only take place when its sales share falls below 10%. By 2026, it is expected that 50% of the markings sold will be in electronic form. The Government does not specify a precise date, but concludes that it will take years more.
What is the economic advantage of switching to a fully digital system?: An exclusively electronic system would represent an annual saving of about CHF 20 million. This amount reflects the costs that the sticker vignette entails today in terms of production, distribution, sales and accounting. It is one of the main reasons why the motion of Councillor Courten (UDC/BS) called for the abolition of the adhesive version.
Should we switch to the electronic vignette immediately or wait?: There is no urgency in switching to the electronic version. The sticker vignette will continue to be valid and available for several years. The choice remains personal: both versions will remain legally accepted until the transition to digital is complete.
Why did Parliament choose a dual system and not just a digital one?: Parliament opted for a dual system to allow a gradual transition to digital. The abolition of the sticker vignette will take place when its share falls below 10%, guaranteeing an orderly migration without shock for users and respecting the real time of adoption of the technology.
What is Austria doing and how does it affect Switzerland?: Austria will switch to a digital-only system from 2027, completely eliminating the sticker vignette. This creates two different scenarios for border crossers and travellers moving between the two countries: they will have freedom of choice in Switzerland, but in Austria digital will be mandatory in the coming years.