Drivers from Switzerland are getting caught speeding in this German border town

Swiss shoppers hoping to save some money by crossing the border into Germany have found themselves spending on speeding fines instead. In fact, drivers from Switzerland made up 35 percent of speeding fines in Bad Säckingen.

Swiss drivers often caught speeding in Bad Säckingen

Swiss drivers crossing the Switzerland-Germany border, no doubt making the most of cheaper groceries and a strong Swiss franc, have been frequently caught speeding through the small German town of Bad Säckingen.

In January alone, 163 out of 460 (around 35 percent percent) of speeding violations in Bad Säckingen were from Swiss-licensed cars, reports Blick. If this were to continue for the rest of 2026, then around one in three people caught speeding there would be from Switzerland. Swiss shopping tourism to neighbouring countries saw an increase of 2,8 percent in 2025.

Muriel Schwerdtner, head of the legal and public order department at Aargauer Zeitung, commented that most of the fines issued have been paid. The town’s treasury even “maintains a separate account at a Swiss bank. This is simpler and more cost-effective.”

In 2025, Bad Säckingen received around 592.600 Swiss francs from catching speedy drivers with “three stationary speed cameras and 41 mobile speed checks”. A law introduced in 2024 means that police in Germany can now share traffic fines with Swiss police to ensure speeders pay.

Germany extends border checks until September

Anyone hoping to travel to a neighbouring German town may be met with continued border checks. In 2024, Germany announced additional border checks that were supposed to end on March 15, 2026. These extra checks have now been extended until September and will be carried out at all borders with Germany's neighbouring countries.

With the Easter holidays coming up shortly, Swiss residents or citizens should make sure to take their passports and residence permits if crossing into Germany.