Traffic rules in Switzerland – speed limits, parking and more
Travelling safely through Switzerland in a rental car
Anyone exploring Switzerland by car benefits from an excellently developed road network and a high standard of road safety. To ensure your journey is relaxed and worry-free, you should be familiar with the most important traffic rules. On this page, you’ll find an overview of the applicable speed limits, parking regulations, right-of-way rules and other useful information for driving in Switzerland. This way, you’ll be fully prepared and can enjoy your trip with Europcar without a care in the world.
Speed limits in Switzerland
In Switzerland, speeding is rigorously monitored and penalised. To avoid fines and ensure your safety on the road, you should observe the applicable speed limits. Unless otherwise indicated by road signs, the following general speed limits apply to passenger cars:
- In built-up areas: 50 km/h
- Outside built-up areas: 80 km/h
- Expressways: 100 km/h
- Motorways: 120 km/h
Signposted speed limits always take precedence over the general regulations.
Parking in Switzerland
When parking, pay attention to the road markings: yellow crosses or yellow lines indicate no parking or no stopping zones. You may only park your vehicle in designated parking areas.
An overview of the main parking zones:
- White zone: Paid parking spaces, often with a parking meter or ticket machine.
- Blue Zone: Time-limited parking with a blue parking disc.
- Red Zone: Free parking for longer periods, depending on the signage.
Yellow Zone: Private, customer or company car parks; parking only permitted with the appropriate authorisation.
Always observe local signage, as this may differ from the general regulations.
Right-of-way rules in Switzerland
In Switzerland, the general rule is that vehicles approaching from the right have right of way: at junctions and intersections without traffic signals, the vehicle approaching from the right has right of way. However, traffic signs such as ‘No Right of Way’, ‘Stop’ or ‘Give Way’ take precedence over this rule. You should therefore always pay attention to local road signs.
At roundabouts, vehicles already in the roundabout have right of way. You must therefore wait before entering. You must indicate in good time before leaving the roundabout; there is generally no obligation to indicate when entering. Pay particular attention to pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, especially at multi-lane roundabouts.
Special right-of-way rules in Switzerland
In Switzerland, there are a number of specific right-of-way rules that you should be aware of. On mountain roads, the vehicle travelling uphill generally has right of way. If you are travelling downhill, you may need to pull over at a suitable spot to allow oncoming traffic to pass. On appropriately signposted postal routes, Postbuses and regular buses also have right of way. Please refer to the further rules on tcs.ch.
Frequently asked questions
Further information about Swiss traffic regulations can be found at europcar.eu. You can also find additional information regarding international driving permits at ch.ch/traffic-rules.
The information provided is intended for general guidance only. Although every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we do not guarantee that the content is accurate, complete, or up to date. Changes and errors are reserved.
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