A Guide to Road Tax Rates in Switzerland
The so-called "Kantönligeist" in Switzerland, or the canton-focused mentality, significantly influences the calculation of vehicle tax rates across the country. Owing to the federal system, each canton sets its tax rates based on various parameters:
Some cantons calculate taxes based on total weight, while others consider the curb weight. Certain cantons factor in engine size or CO2 emissions, while others focus on horsepower. Some even use a combination of these factors.
In some cantons, electric vehicles (EVs) benefit from tax incentives, whereas others do not differentiate between EVs and traditional petrol or diesel cars.
This can be incredibly confusing.
But don't worry! Gowago is here to simplify things for you by providing an overview of the different tax rates across Switzerland.
Do you get tax deductions for electric vehicles or hybrids?
How much road taxes will you pay in your canton?
When do you need to pay traffic taxes?
How are taxes calculated?
The 26 Swiss cantons all use different parameters to calculate road tax rates.
The following is a list of the factors used in the road tax regulations in various cantons:
- Total Weight: Appenzell Innerrhoden, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Bern, Basel-Landschaft, Jura, St.Gallen, Uri
- Curb weight + CO2 Emissions: Basel-Stadt
- CO2 Emissions: Neuchatel
- Engine Displacement and Total Weight: Zürich
- Engine Displacement and/or Tax HP: Aargau, Glarus, Luzern, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schaffhausen, Solothurn, Thurgau, Wallis, Zug
- Power: Fribourg, Geneva
- Power and Total Weight: Schwyz, Tessin, Waadt
- Engine Displacement and CO2-Emissions: Graubünden
To discover the exact formulas or access calculators for determining the tax rate for your specific car, simply click on the names of the cantons. You'll be redirected to the relevant website of the corresponding canton.
Do you get tax deductions for electric vehicles or hybrids?
The approach to taxing electric or hybrid vehicles varies significantly by canton—some offer deductions, while others tax them the same as traditional petrol and diesel cars. Below, you'll find a summary of how each canton handles electric vehicles:
| EVs exempt | Geneva, Glarus, St.Gallen, Solothurn, Zürich | EVs partial deductions | Bern, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Fribourg, Graubünden, Neuchatel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Vaud, Valais, Zug | Hybrids partial deductions | Glarus, Graubünden, Lucerne, Neuchatel, Obwalden, St.Gallen, Thurgau, Vaud, Zürich | EVs and Hybrids taxed normally | Aargau, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Jura, Schaffhausen, Schwyz |
How much road taxes will you pay in your canton?
If you're considering leasing a car, the tax rates in your canton of residence could influence your decision. Consider the gowago.ch All-in-one Premium package, where the cantonal traffic tax is included in your monthly rate. This arrangement not only makes paying road taxes more convenient but also simplifies your monthly budgeting.
To give you an idea of potential costs, we've created a table below. It provides an overview of the tax rates* for six of the most popular cars in Switzerland across each canton. For precise information on the road taxes for your car, please visit the website of your canton of residence.
| Aargau | Appenzell Ausserrhoden | Appenzell Innerrhoden | Bern | Basel-Landschaft | Basel-Stadt | Fribourg | Geneva | Glarus | Graubünden | Juar | Luzern | Neuchâtel | Nidwalden | Obwalden | St.Gallen | Schaffhausen | Solothurn | Schwyz | Thurgau | Ticino | Uri | Vaud | Valais | Zug | Zürich | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Car: Dacia Sandero 1.2 | 204 | 427 | 350 | 343 | 430 | 403 | 376 | 210 | 271 | 380 | 497 | 299 | 422 | 220 | 256 | 390 | 168 | 242 | 182 | 192 | 234 | 270 | 96 | 177 | 232 | 169 |
| Midsized Hatchback: VW Golf 1.2 TSI | 204 | 500 | 416 | 310 | 193 | 395 | 376 | 110 | 68 | 380 | 563 | 299 | 334 | 220 | 256 | 447 | 168 | 242 | 204 | 144 | 272 | 344 | 28 | 177 | 238 | 100 |
| Limousine: Skoda Octavia 2.0 TSI | 300 | 554 | 464 | 420 | 568 | 446 | 571 | 595 | 407 | 570 | 641 | 397 | 474 | 340 | 368 | 516 | 264 | 351 | 416 | 288 | 484 | 397 | 216 | 269 | 328 | 308 |
| SUV: BMW X3 sDrive 20i | 300 | 684 | 581 | 494 | 651 | 544 | 571 | 561 | 407 | 570 | 717 | 397 | 534 | 340 | 368 | 590 | 264 | 351 | 400 | 288 | 500 | 454 | 563 | 269 | 330 | 458 |
| Electric Limousine: Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus | 564 | 614 | 518 | 228 | 290 | 257 | 296 | 517** | exempt | 93 | 663 | 482 | 250 | 83 | 125 | exempt*** | 216 | exempt | 542 | 48**** | 221 | 302 | 74 | 160 | 210 | exempt |
| Electric SUV: Tesla Model Y Long Range | 708 | 731 | 623 | 259 | 389 | 300 | 432 | 891 | exempt | 105 | 750 | 658 | 250 | 95 | 125 | exempt*** | 264 | exempt | 755 | 48**** | 260 | 353 | 112 | 160 | 250 | exempt |
*Numbers rounded up to francs without cents.
** Further bonuses possible depending on specific criteria. Visit official homepage for detailed information.
*** For the first four years after registration.
**** For first year and following four calendar years.
Note: This data has been made available without guarantee on actual prices. Even though we compiled this list great care, tax rates may change or be different depending on the exact car. Only the prices you receive in the final invoice from the official cantonal road office are definitive.
When do you need to pay traffic taxes?
In Switzerland, motor vehicles are generally subject to taxation, starting when the car is registered and issued a number plate. If you register your car mid-year, you'll pay a pro-rata amount for the remainder of the year. Afterward, traffic taxes are due every January.
Did you the gowago.ch All-in-one Premium package when leasing with gowago.ch? Just leave it to your mobility team and lean back! Simply forward the invoice from the traffic office to us, and we'll take care of the payment for you - we’ll even get you the yearly motorway vignette.
