The most important information on the PSVA for foreign vehicle owners is summarised in the leaflet Form. 15.94.
Do vehicles subject to the PSVA also require a motorway tax sticker for journeys on Swiss motorways?
No, vehicles subject to the PSVA do not require a motorway vignette for journeys on Swiss motorways.
If I do not use the motorway and drive only on ordinary roads, do I still have to pay the lump-sum heavy vehicle charge?
Yes. Unlike the motorway vignette for passenger cars, the PSVA is payable on the entire public road network, and not only on the motorway.
I do not have valid proof of payment. Is it nonetheless possible to enter Switzerland via an unmanned customs office?
Yes. Use the Via Portal: Your digital key for e-vignette and PSVA.
I am spending holidays in Switzerland in my campervan, which will remain for several days on a campsite (vehicle will not be moved). Do I have to pay the lump-sum heavy vehicle charge (PSVA), even if I am not driving?
Foreign vehicles subject to the PSVA are liable for the charge in the same way as vehicles registered in Switzerland for each day spent in Switzerland. This also applies even if they are only parked up and are not on the road.
I have bought a new vehicle. Can I transfer the paid (and still valid) PSVA of the old vehicle to my new verhicle?
Yes, if the new vehicle corresponds to the same vehicle type (and the same weight class for buses) as the old one, you may change the valid PSVA to the new vehicle by changing the registration number in Via (app or webportal).
However, if the new vehicle is not identical, the PSVA must be purchased again, although you can request a refund.
Can I extend the PSVA or proof of payment?
Yes. If the proof of payment is set to expire before departure from Switzerland, you can pay the charge again before the deadline expires.
Note: the minimum amount is CHF 25.00.
I paid the PSVA for a longer period but have changed my plans and will leave Switzerland earlier. Can I obtain a refund?
If you paid the PSVA for a certain period, but no longer use the entire period, you are entitled to a pro-rata refund if the refund amount is more than CHF 50.00. Refunds are subject to a fee (5% of the amount to be refunded, minimum CHF 30.00).
Requests for refunds should be addressed to the Traffic Charges Division of the FOCBS (zentrale-psva@bazg.admin.ch). Please submit a copy of the receipt concerned as well as your payment details (IBAN) with your request.
If I pay the PSVA for a single day, is this valid for a given day or for 24 hours?
The calendar day is decisive, i.e. from payment, the PSVA is valid until 11.59pm the same day. If the form is paid after 7pm, it is valid until 11.59pm the following day.
What happens if I do not have proof of payment? Am I then liable for prosecution?
Yes. Whoever does not have the proof of payment at hand or evades or violates the heavy vehicle charge will be fined.
What happens if I forget to bring the proof of payment with me rsp. if I cannot show the PSVA receipt (e.g. forget my smartphone)? Am I then liable for prosecution?
No. The FOCBS can verify that payment has been made by providing the registration number.
What happens to my data?
It will be used for the levying of charges or for verification purposes.
When using Via, the following data is collected and stored in the information systems of the FOCBS:
- Vehicle type (according to vehicle registration document [e.g. campervan or bus])
- Vehicle weight (generally according to heading F2 of the vehicle registration document)
- Registration number (according to vehicle registration document)
- Duration of stay in Switzerland (date of entry to departure) or selection of 10 individual days
- Your email address
- The language.
