The information on this page was collected from public resources and does not constitute legal advice.

Are there any differences in traffic rules in this country compared to Ukrainian ones?

They key traffic regulations are listed below:

  • You need to drive on the right lane.
  • You need to have a motorway vignette on your car.
  • Maximum speeds: motorways 120 km/h, highways 100 km/h, other roads outside built-up areas 80 km/h, towns 50 km/h. Cars with a trailer may not exceed 100 km/h on any road. Exceptions may apply at any time.
  • Driving on mountain roads requires specific knowledge and skills.
  • Seat belts are obligatory for all passengers. Children under 12 years old need a special seat if they're under 150 cm tall. The seats must be appropriate for the child's age and weight, and carry an official ECE security label.
  • Driving is not allowed from a blood alcohol level of 0.25 mg/l. An absolute alcohol prohibition applies to professional drivers and new drivers. It is highly recommended to not drink at all when you plan to drive.
  • Hands-free calling is allowed, but it is strongly advised against. Handheld calling will be heavily fined.
  • Traffic from the right (including cyclists) has priority.
  • Traffic on rotary intersections has priority, unless the signs indicate otherwise.
  • You're not allowed to overtake on the right. You may only pass on the right in a few cases, for example if there is a traffic jam on the left lane while traffic on the right lane continues.

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Is it possible to drive a car with a Ukrainian driver's license?

For those drivers who have a valid driverโ€™s license, and in which all the data is duplicated in Latin, you have the right to use it until the expiration date. When this period expires, the driver needs to exchange this certificate for a Swiss document.

If such a document is in digital form, then it has the same power as a physical one. And the same rule applies: when it expires, it must be exchanged for the Swiss version.

If a person loses a driverโ€™s license and because of this he cannot present it, then local authorities can grant him such rights, but if certain conditions are met. For private travel, the following is required:

  • Ukrainian driverโ€™s license, supported by documents (for example, a certificate of passing a driving test, a certificate of work as a driver, etc.);
  • successfully passed the driving test.

For work on company vehicles, trucks, vans or taxis, registered in Switzerland, you must have the following documents:

  • Ukrainian driverโ€™s license, supported by documents (for example, a certificate of passing a driving test, a certificate of work as a driver, etc.);
  • successfully passed the driving and theory test;
  • medical examination.

But those Ukrainians who want carry out commercial passenger or freight transportationusing motor vehicles of category C or D, but cannot present a license or driving licence, must provide proof of training in accordance with article 4 of the Swiss Driverโ€™s License Ordinance (CZV) and an employment contract with an employer.

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Is it necessary to register the car in the new country of residence?

If people (Ukrainian residents) with Protection Status 'S' use their foreign registered vehicles in Switzerland for more than six months, they need to request a customs permit 15.30, which is valid for a period of two years from the date of entry into the customs territory.

It is possible to obtain a customs permit 15.30 at attended customs offices during opening hours.

The vehicle may be used in Switzerland solely for personal purposes. It may not be used by Swiss residents. No formalities are required when returning to Ukraine permanently.

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Is it possible to drive a car that has Ukrainian registration, but is registered not to the driver, but to another person? What documents are needed for this?

If you are not the owner of the car you are driving, it is useful to carry a written authorization from the actual car owner with you including substantial details, such as the license plate and the insurance number of the car in case authorities might ask for it. Further, the owner should contact the motorist insurance to cover possible damages caused by the third party.

Is it necessary to insure the car in the host country? Is Ukrainian insurance enough?

Ukrainian motor vehicles generally require an international motor insurance card (formerly green card) that is valid in Switzerland in order to enter the country. A frontier insurance policy taken out in an EEA state is also valid in Switzerland.

Exceptionally and on a temporary basis, proof of insurance may also be presented on an electronic device in PDF format.

In the absence of a valid international motor insurance card, Ukrainian drivers can obtain a new green card from their Ukrainian insurance company, or take out frontier insurance at one of Swiss offices (Border crossings, customs offices, opening hours mceclip0.png).

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What is a vignette? Do Ukrainian drivers need to buy it? How and where can they buy it?

If you want to take a car, motorbike, trailer, caravan, delivery van or camper (up to 3.5 tonnes) on Swiss motorways and expressways, you need a motorway vignette sticker.

The vignette must be stuck to the inside of the windscreen and must be clearly visible. In the case of vehicles without windows, such as trailers, the vignette must be affixed to a clearly visible part of the vehicle that cannot be removed.

The vignette is not yet available in electronic form. For the time being, you must therefore buy the sticker and put it on your windscreen.

Please note: Heavy vehicles (of more than 3.5 tonnes) do not need a vignette. They are subject to a special heavy vehicle charge instead.

Each Swiss motorway vignette costs CHF 40.

The sticker 2022 ist valid from 1 December 2021 to 31 January 2023. You can buy and use the sticker 2023 from 1 December 2022.

There are no daily, weekly or monthly vignettes.

Please note: If you are driving without a vignette, you will be fined (CHF 200) and will also have to buy the vignette itself (CHF 40).

In Switzerland you can buy the motorway vignette at filling stations, post offices, and at customs posts at the border. You can also get it online from the Swiss Post website mceclip0.png.

You can buy the Swiss motorway vignette before entering Switzerland from selected points of sale or online mceclip0.png.

What are the parking rules?

Parking in Switzerland is divided into different zones:

  • Blue Zones : 1 hour free with a blue p-disc on Mon-Sat from 08:00-18:00.
  • White Zones : paid and limited parking near a parking meter.
  • ellow Zones : no parking and no waiting at the roadside.

The parking disc for the blue zones must be visibly placed on the dashboard. By the way, you are not allowed to return to your car to change the arrival time and thus park longer. From 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. and on Sundays and public holidays, none of these rules apply and you can park indefinitely.

White spaces do not mean free parking. It is obvious that you are not allowed to leave your car in a no-parking zone. You are also not allowed to park on cycle lanes or in front of access roads to buildings or properties. Parking on the pavement is also forbidden, unless signs explicitly allow it. You may park your car in designated parking zones but you should know what the regulations are.

The white parking spaces allow you to park your car for a defined period of time with a fee. The fee, but also the parking time always depend somewhat on the area: busy city centers are usually more expensive than suburbs. The prices are indicated and they can be paid at the ticket machine. More and more cities and municipalities now also allow you to buy parking tickets via app, this is linked to the credit card or bank account.

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What are the most common fines? How and where can Ukrainians pay them?

Traffic fines in Switzerland are generally heavy. For example, driving 61 km/h instead of 50 km/h in a town costs CHF 250.

Here mceclip0.png you can find out the size of the fine depending on speeding.

Another tip is to always pay the fine immediately, and this is also the case for parking fines too. If you donโ€™t pay within a certain amount of time you may find the fine actually increases.

All traffic violations and applicable fines are listed here mceclip0.png.

What documents are required for registration of trailers/cargo (equipment, furniture, etc.)?

If people (Ukrainian residents) with Protection Status 'S' use their foreign registered vehicles in Switzerland for more than six months, they need to request a customs permit 15.30, which is valid for a period of two years from the date of entry into the customs territory.

It is possible to obtain a customs permit 15.30 at attended customs offices during opening hours.

The vehicle may be used in Switzerland solely for personal purposes. It may not be used by Swiss residents. No formalities are required when returning to Ukraine permanently.

Source mceclip0.png

Do Ukrainians need to declare what they bought in Europe?

There are no restrictions on what you can buy and take with you when travelling within the EU provided that the bought products are for you own use and not for resale. Taxes on are already included in the retail price of the product. To determine if the products purchased are intended for your own use, customs authorities may verify the products, e.g. the packages or the quantity. In order to prove that goods are for your own use, authorities may ask to see the receipt or other proof of purchase. If you cannot provide sufficient evidence, you might have to pay duties or the products can be confiscated.

If you carry 10,000 euros or more in cash, alcohol drinks, tobacco products, fuel or other goods including perfume, certain restrictions may apply regarding the quantity and value of the products. For more information please check this site mceclip0.png.