To Switzerland by car
To enter Switzerland by car you will need:
- Foreign passport (biometric or regular foreign passport + visa).
- Technical passport of the car.
- Driver's license (plastic Ukrainian of the new model).
- Green card - required for entry and stay.
- A notarized power of attorney if the car is not registered in your name.
- Health insurance covering treatment abroad is required. It can be arranged online on the Visit Ukraine website in a few minutes.
💡 Swiss border guards are known for their scrupulousness - documents must be perfectly executed.
You can import your car into Switzerland under the terms of temporary importation:
Tourists (non-residents):
- You are allowed to use a car with a foreign registration for up to 6 months in total per year, without customs clearance and without special formalities
- The car must be registered in Ukraine and used only by you (without transferring it to others).
Persons with the intention of moving or long-term work:
- At the entrance, you must submit a customs application (form 15.30), after which the car can be used for up to 2 years, but after 12 months it must be registered in the canton
- If residency status has been obtained, it is advisable to consult with the cantonal authority regarding car registration.
Rented car from abroad:
- When crossing the border, form 15.25 is taken - it allows you to drive around the country for up to 8 days (or 3 days if the entry was later than 5 days from the start of the lease agreement)
- Alternatively, you can apply for a ZAVV, which allows you to have up to 12 entries of 3 days each per year (declaration and deposit at customs)
If the requirements are not met (for example, the car is left for more than 6 months without a declaration), fines, customs duties and VAT, as well as other sanctions may be applied.
A Ukrainian plastic ID card is recognized in Switzerland for tourist travel for 12 months.
If you stay longer or get a residence permit, you need to exchange your Ukrainian license for a Swiss one (after passing a medical examination and, in some cases, additional tests).
💡 Some companies may ask for an International Driving Permit (IDP) to rent a car, so it is better to have it with you.
A Green Card is required to enter all countries on the route (Hungary, Austria, Germany, Switzerland).
This insurance certificate covers your liability to third parties.
✅ It is easily issued online on our Visit Ukraine website - without queues and complicated formalities.
Swiss roads are some of the best in the world: perfect asphalt, clear markings, many tunnels and bridges.
Speed limits:
- In cities - 50 km/h.
- On country roads - 80 km/h.
- On highways - 120 km/h.
Features:
- The Swiss are very disciplined drivers, strictly adhere to the rules.
- Alcohol: the maximum permissible level is 0.5 ppm. For drivers with less than 3 years of experience - 0.01 ppm.
- Using a phone without hands-free is strictly prohibited, with a fine of 100 CHF.
- Children under 12 years old or up to 150 cm - only in a car seat.
💡 There are often heavy rains or snow in the mountains, even in summer - be sure to monitor the forecast and the condition of the tires.
Toll roads
Switzerland has a system of a single annual vignette (CHF 40), which is required for all highways. Some tunnels (e.g., the Great St. Gotthard Tunnel) are additionally paid for.
💡 The vignette must be pasted on the windshield from the inside. The penalty for absence is up to 200 CHF + mandatory purchase of a vignette on the spot.
Parking
There are several zones in the cities:
- White zone - paid parking, the price is from 1 to 4 CHF/hour.
- The blue zone is free, but with a time limit (usually up to 1 hour) and requires a special disk.
- The yellow zone is prohibited for parking.
Payment is made through machines or mobile applications (ParkingPay, Twint).
💡 Many cities have strict control. Even exceeding the limit by 5 minutes can result in a fine.
Accident: the procedure
In case of an accident:
1. Stop, turn on the hazard lights, put up a sign.
2. Make sure everyone is safe, provide first aid if necessary.
3. Call the police (117) - even if there are minor injuries.
4. Notify the insurance company (Green Card).
5. Take photos of the accident scene, damage, road signs, and the other driver's documents.
‼️ In Switzerland, it is advised to always call the police even in minor accidents to avoid problems with payments.
Car rental in Switzerland is a very popular option, especially for traveling to the mountains.
Conditions
- Minimum age: 21 years old (often 23-25 for large cars or premium cars).
- Driving experience: from 1 year.
- Required: passport, Ukrainian driver's license, credit card for a deposit.
Cost
- Economy: from 50-60 CHF/day.
- SUV: from 90-120 CHF/day.
Insurance
- Standard (CDW) is usually included, but has a deductible of CHF 1,000-2,000.
- You can take out full coverage (Super CDW) - reduces or eliminates the deductible.
💡 Always book a car in advance, especially during the high season (winter - ski resorts, summer - alpine routes).
- Passport.
- Driver's license.
- Technical passport of the car.
- Green card.
- Notarized power of attorney (if the car is not yours).
- Health insurance (you can get it on our website).
- Vignettes for Hungary, Austria, Switzerland.
- A first aid kit, a vest, an emergency stop sign.
- Cash for parking lots and vending machines.
- Downloaded offline maps.
- Photo of the car before departure.
How Visit Ukraine can help
- Green card - fast online registration without queues and difficulties.
- Health insurance - a wide range of options, including outdoor activities in the mountains.
- Bus and plane tickets - convenient booking right on our website.
- Legal advice - help with any questions during travel and preparation of documents.
- 24/7 support - always in touch wherever you are.
✉️ Do you have any questions?
Write to us in the chat on the website, WhatsApp or Telegram - we will help you with everything from route planning to paperwork and insurance.