Importing Your Car to Switzerland: The Complete Guide 2026

"My car? It's staying in France, it's too complicated to import!"

When Laura moved to Lausanne, she left her Peugeot 308 (3 years old, €22,000) with her parents in France. "I'll buy one in Switzerland, it's simpler."

Six months later, after paying CHF 18,000 for an equivalent used car in Switzerland, she did the math. Importing her Peugeot would have cost CHF 2,200 total. She would have saved CHF 15,800.

"I was stupid. I should have seriously looked into it."

Importing your car to Switzerland is neither impossible nor free. But for many, it's cost-effective. This guide explains the real costs, the real procedure, and how to decide intelligently.

Key figure: According to the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security, approximately 45,000 private vehicles are imported annually into Switzerland from the EU, saving an average of CHF 3,000-5,000 vs. buying a used Swiss car (source: AFD).

Photo by Deane Bayas on Pexels - Importing a personal car allows you to keep a known vehicle and save money

The Import Equation: Is It Worth It?

Marc owns a 2021 BMW 3 Series, purchased for €35,000 in France. He is moving to Zurich. Two options:

Option A - Import his BMW

• Swiss VAT (8.1% on €35,000): CHF 3,118
• Technical inspection: CHF 250
• New license plates: CHF 150
• Highway vignette: CHF 40
• 1st year liability insurance: CHF 1,100

Total first year: CHF 4,658

Option B - Sell in France, Buy in Switzerland

• Sale of BMW in France: €32,000 (depreciation)
• Purchase of equivalent BMW in Switzerland: CHF 42,000
• Liability insurance: CHF 1,100

Difference: CHF 8,000 more for the Swiss version

Marc imports. Savings: CHF 3,342 + he keeps HIS car that he knows.

Cases where buying in Switzerland is better:

• Old car (<€8,000): proportionally high import costs
• Modified car: costly adaptations to standards
• Immediate need: import takes 4-8 weeks

The Procedure in 6 Steps

Step 1: Customs Declaration (Upon Arrival)

You theoretically have 24h to declare the vehicle import. In practice, a few weeks of tolerance if you have just arrived.

Form 18.44 to be completed on ezdv.admin.ch Documents: French registration certificate, B residence permit, purchase contract or invoice, manufacturer's homologation form.

Sophie did this online, 30 minutes. Confirmation within 1 week. Customs clearance: CHF 0 (EU vehicle, already taxed in France).

Step 2: Swiss VAT (If Applicable)

Vehicle less than 6 months old OR less than 6,000 km: Swiss VAT 8.1% on vehicle value. This is the major cost.

Calculation: Car €25,000 = CHF 27,500 × 8.1% = CHF 2,228 VAT.

Vehicle older than 6 months AND more than 6,000 km: VAT exempt (considered "personal use").

Tip: If you buy a new car in France just before moving, wait 6 months + drive 6,000 km before importing to avoid VAT.

Step 3: Swiss Technical Inspection (Mandatory)

Your French car must pass a Swiss inspection. Appointment in an approved center (TCS, Dekra, etc.).

They check:

• Anti-pollution standards (Euro 4 minimum)
• Headlights (adjustment, not yellow)
• Tires (depth >1.6mm)
• Brakes, steering, chassis
• Warning triangle, yellow vest, first aid kit

Cost: CHF 150-300 Duration: 1-2h First-time pass rate: 75% (25% must redo after repairs)

Vincent failed because of poorly adjusted headlights. Adjustment at garage CHF 80, re-inspection CHF 100. Total: CHF 430.

Step 4: Application for Swiss Plates

With a positive inspection report, you apply for plates at the Service cantonal automobiles.

Documents: residence permit, registration certificate, inspection report, valid RC insurance.

Cost of plates: CHF 100-200 depending on canton Deadline: 5-10 days

Step 5: Swiss RC Insurance (Before Plates)

You must prove valid Swiss RC insurance to obtain plates. Compare on Comparis.ch.

Thomas, BMW Série 1, 35 years old, max bonus: CHF 950/year in Zurich.

Warning: Swiss insurance often more expensive than in France (different system).

Step 6: Highway Vignette

CHF 40/year, mandatory. Purchased at post office, service stations, customs. Valid for the calendar year (purchased in October = valid until January 31 of the following year).

Total time for complete procedure: 4-8 weeks

Problematic Cars

Some vehicles pose problems. Save yourself the hassle.

Right-hand drive (UK): Mandatory adaptations: headlights, km counter. Cost: CHF 2,000-4,000. Difficult resale. Verdict: Do not import, sell in the UK.

Modified/tuned vehicles: Sport exhaust, lowered suspensions, tinted windows—everything must comply with strict Swiss standards. Compliance: CHF 1,000-5,000. Verdict: If slight modifications OK, avoid if heavily tuned.

Old diesel (Euro 3 or less): Refused at pollution control. Verdict: Sell in France, buy petrol/electric in Switzerland.

US/Asian vehicles non-EU: Complex, costly individual approval (CHF 3,000-8,000). Verdict: Unless collection/passion, forget it.

Key Points to Remember

Importing a car from France to Switzerland costs CHF 800-2,500 and takes 4-8 weeks but often saves CHF 3,000-8,000 vs buying a used Swiss car. Three essential principles: Firstly, calculate the real total cost (VAT 8.1% if <6 months + inspection + plates + insurance) vs the equivalent price in Switzerland before deciding—recent/premium cars have favorable economics, older/standard cars are less interesting. Secondly, check vehicle compatibility (Euro 4 min, not modified, not right-hand drive) before moving—discovering incompatibility after import is expensive in adaptations. Thirdly, anticipate the procedure (4-8 weeks) and keep French insurance valid until Swiss plates are received—coverage gap = major financial risk if accident.

Import is generally worthwhile for recent vehicles (< 5 years) worth >CHF 20,000. For other cases, compare carefully before deciding.

Official Resources

• Office fédéral douanes - Vehicle import procedures
• TCS - Contrôle technique - Approved centers throughout Switzerland
• Comparis - Assurance auto - Insurance comparator
• CH.ch - Import véhicule - Complete official guide

Related Articles

Déménager en Suisse Importing a car is integrated into the overall moving timeline—plan with other steps for efficiency.

Assurance automobile Suisse Once the car is imported, discover the Swiss insurance system, real costs, and how to save on premiums.5. Motorway vignette (CHF 40)

<script type='text/javascript' src='https://platform-api.sharethis.com/js/sharethis.js#property=69624e147512c045298580c6&product=sop' async='async'></script>

<!-- ShareThis BEGIN -->
<div class="sharethis-inline-share-buttons"></div>
<!-- ShareThis END -->