Drink-driving limits in Switzerland (2026)

Last reviewed: 30 October 2026

In short: The general limit is 0.5 per mille blood alcohol (0.25 mg/l breath), with a qualified level at 0.8 per mille. A stricter ban applies to probationary licence holders, learners, accompanying persons and professional drivers, with alcohol influence at 0.10 per mille. Any driver may be breath-tested.

RuleWhat applies
Blood alcohol limit for ordinary driversDriving after drinking alcohol0.05 % blood alcohol [1]
Lower limit for novice or young driversDriving after drinking alcoholAlcohol ban for holders of a probationary licence, learner drivers on practice drives and persons accompanying learner drives: any alcohol influence, that is breath 0.05 mg/l or more, or blood 0.10 per mille or more. [2]
Limit for professional or commercial driversDriving after drinking alcoholThe same alcohol ban applies to licensed and cross-border passenger transport, professional passenger transport, lorries, heavy articulated tractors and tractors over 3.5 t total weight, dangerous goods transport and driving instructors at work. [2]
Random breath tests without suspicionDriving after drinking alcoholYes [3]
Maximum penaltiesDriving after drinking alcoholDriving a motor vehicle while intoxicated (0.5 per mille or more) is punished with a fine (Busse). At a qualified level (0.8 per mille or more) or when unfit to drive for another reason it is punished with up to three years in prison or a monetary penalty. Refusing or evading a breath or blood test carries the same penalty (art. 91a). [3]

Notes

  • Intoxication ('Angetrunkenheit') is deemed proven at 0.5 per mille (weight) blood alcohol or 0.25 mg per litre of breath; 'qualified' levels are 0.8 per mille or 0.4 mg/l breath. The value 0.05% is the same figure as 0.5 per mille.
  • Alcohol influence for these groups is a breath alcohol concentration of 0.05 mg/l or more, or a blood alcohol concentration of 0.10 per mille or more (art. 2a para. 2 VRV).
  • The ban lists professional passenger transport, licensed or cross-border passenger transport, lorries, heavy articulated tractors and tractors with a total weight over 3.5 t, dangerous goods transport, and driving instructors at work; certain emergency and slow vehicles are exempted (art. 2a para. 1bis VRV).

Sources

  1. Bundeskanzlei / Fedlex (Bundesrecht): Verordnung der Bundesversammlung über Alkoholgrenzwerte im Strassenverkehr, SR 741.13 (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
  2. Bundeskanzlei / Fedlex (Bundesrecht): Verkehrsregelnverordnung (VRV), SR 741.11 (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
  3. Bundeskanzlei / Fedlex (Bundesrecht): Strassenverkehrsgesetz (SVG), SR 741.01 (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.