Previously, only fines levied within the European Union (EU) could be collected from German residents for offences committed outside the country. The new treaty expands this to include Switzerland.
The agreement applies to traffic violations committed in Switzerland on or after May 1st, 2024, however, traffic offences in Switzerland will not contribute to a driver accumulating points on their license in Flensburg, the central traffic offender register in Germany.
The Federal Office of Justice in Bonn will assume responsibility for collecting Swiss traffic fines from German residents, mirroring the process for fines originating within the EU.
The German automobile association ADAC warns drivers of the significant difference in traffic violation penalties between the two countries:
- speeding: exceeding the speed limit by 20 km/h in Switzerland incurs a minimum fine of €190, compared to €60 in Germany. Offences exceeding 50 km/h over the limit in Switzerland see fines calculated based on daily income, with a minimum starting point of €60 per day. In contrast, Germany has a flat fine starting at €480 for such offences.
- Serious speeding: motorway speeding exceeding 80 km/h or exceeding 40 km/h in a 30 km/h zone in Switzerland can result in imprisonment of at least one year, a considerably harsher penalty compared to Germany.
Fines for other traffic violations in Switzerland and Germany:
| Switzerland | Germany | |
| Alcohol limit | 0.5* | 0.5* |
| Drink driving | from €630 | from €500 |
| Jumping a red light | €265 | €90-360 |
| Parking offence | from €40 | €10-110 |
| Not wearing a seat belt | €65 | €30 |
| Using a mobile phone while driving | €105 | from €100 |
*Lower blood alcohol limits sometimes apply to novice drivers, minors and/ or professional drivers;
**Penalty calculation based on monthly earnings; Information provided without guarantee. – Source: ADAC e.V.
The ADAC urges German drivers to treat Swiss traffic fines with due seriousness. Failure to pay a fine on time or ignoring it altogether can lead to the imposition of substantial additional fees. The new treaty empowers Swiss authorities to collect outstanding fines from German drivers re-entering Switzerland.