Car speed limits in Switzerland (2026)

Last reviewed: 30 October 2026

In short: General limits are 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h outside them, 100 km/h on signed Autostrassen and 120 km/h on motorways, under favourable road, traffic and visibility conditions. Signed limits take precedence. Signed Tempo-30 zones are limited to 30 km/h and shared zones (Begegnungszonen) to 20 km/h.

RuleWhat applies
Built-up areasPassenger car on public roads50 km/h [1]
Outside built-up areas (single carriageway)Passenger car on public roads80 km/h [1]
Outside built-up areas (dual carriageway or expressway)Passenger car on public roads⚠ Not yet verified
MotorwaysPassenger car on public roads120 km/h [1]
School zonesPassenger car on public roads⚠ Not yet verified
Residential streetsPassenger car on public roads30 km/h in a signed Tempo-30 zone; 20 km/h in a signed shared zone (Begegnungszone) [2]
Roadworks zonesPassenger car on public roads⚠ Not yet verified

Notes

  • The general maximum speeds apply under favourable road, traffic and visibility conditions. A signed limit takes precedence over the general limit (Art. 4a Abs. 5).
  • The general limit outside built-up areas excludes Autostrassen and Autobahnen. It applies under favourable road, traffic and visibility conditions; a signed limit takes precedence.
  • The ordinance sets no limit for dual carriageways as such. The 100 km/h limit applies on roads signed as Autostrasse (sign 4.03), from that sign until the end-of-Autostrasse sign (4.04).
  • The 120 km/h limit applies from the motorway sign (4.01) until the end-of-motorway sign (4.02), under favourable road, traffic and visibility conditions.
  • No general speed limit for school zones was found in the Traffic Rules Ordinance (VRV) or the Signalling Ordinance (SSV). Limits near schools are set by local signs.
  • These limits apply only where the zone signs (2.59.1 and 2.59.5) are posted. Outside such zones the general limits apply.
  • No general national speed limit for road works was found in the texts read. Limits at road works are set by signs.

Sources

  1. Fedlex, Die Veröffentlichungsplattform des Bundesrechts (Swiss Confederation): Verkehrsregelnverordnung (VRV), SR 741.11 (Stand am 1. Oktober 2026) (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
  2. Fedlex, Die Veröffentlichungsplattform des Bundesrechts (Swiss Confederation): Signalisationsverordnung (SSV), SR 741.21 (Stand am 1. Oktober 2026) (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.