Cantons greenlight transit tax for foreign cars that drive through Switzerland

A motion calling for a “transit tax” for holidaymakers who travel on Swiss motorways without making a stop in the country has been unanimously approved by the Council of States. It now needs the National Council’s approval. 

Plan to tax drivers who travel through Switzerland without stopping

People who drive through Switzerland on their way to another country without stopping could soon be hit with a new tax under a new plan tabled by Marco Chiesa (SVP) in a bid to ease congestion on busy motorway routes. The tax would apply to vehicles that enter Switzerland from a neighbouring country and exit in another, without making a stop. 

According to the plan, the tax amount would vary according to road congestion, time of day, and day of the week, in an attempt to encourage vehicles to travel at certain times. All proceeds from the tax would go to the National Roads and Urban Traffic Fund. 

Federal Council says there are multiple administrative hurdles

Describing cars that travel through the country without stopping as “parasitic traffic”, Chiesa said that Switzerland’s major roads were “congested with traffic that brings no benefit to our country”, 20 Minuten reports. 

While the motion has broad approval in the Council of States, the Federal Council has expressed opposition, highlighting multiple administrative hurdles. Albert Rösti (SVP) said that, in order to implement the tax, “comprehensive monitoring of all border crossings would be required.” He questioned whether the EU would cooperate with such a measure. 

While the National Council has yet to make a decision, it seems likely that it will also approve the motion. The Federal Council may then decide to push the issue to a referendum.