Travelling abroad by car: what do you need to bring?
If you want to drive abroad with your car, you must observe the local rules when it comes to the items you need to have. Comparis explains what you need to pack.
13.06.2025
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1. Equipment in the car: what do you need in Switzerland?
Before you go on holiday by car or motorbike, you should check which items you need to have. You must always have your driving licence and vehicle registration document to hand, otherwise you may be fined. In Switzerland, you must also have the following items:
Breakdown triangle
Motorway vignette when driving on the motorway. This must be place in a clearly visible position on the windshield. Alternatively, you can buy the digital e-vignette.
Emissions document – for vehicles without an on-board diagnostic system (OBD)
A high-visibility vest and fire extinguisher are not mandatory in Switzerland, but are useful. The same applies to the first-aid kit. In some European countries, these are mandatory pieces of equipment.
2. Is the CH sticker mandatory abroad?
If you cross the border with your vehicle, you must have a CH sticker clearly visible on the rear of your vehicle (Art. 45 RVTRO, page not available in English). This also applies to trailers. You can buy the CH sticker at fuel stations or in DIY stores, for example.
The CH sticker is a country identifier. According to the Vienna Convention of 8 November 1968 (page not available in English) every car abroad must bear a sticker identifying the country of registration.
In some countries, this is directly visible on the number plate, for example in the EU countries. However, Swiss vehicles do not indicate the country of registration on their number plates. That's why you need a sticker.
Depending on the shop, you can get a sticker for less than one franc. You can sometimes get the magnetic version for less than five francs. It's best to compare the prices offered in different shops.
The dimensions for the CH sticker are prescribed by law and standardised (page not available in English). It must have an elliptical shape measuring 11.5 × 17.5 cm with 8 × 4 cm letters. The line thickness must be 1 cm.
Important: there are also smaller versions of the sticker. These are illegal.
You must attach the CH sticker in a clearly visible and vertical position on the rear of your vehicle and, if applicable, your trailer. According to Article 45 of the Ordinance of 19 June 1995 on the Technical Requirements for Road Vehicles (RVTRO) (page not available in English), the following generally applies:
Height: it must be at least 20 centimetres from the ground. However, the upper edge may not be at a height of more than 1.50 metres.
Tilt: the sticker may not be tilted more than 30 degrees upwards or 15 degrees downwards.
These requirements may vary slightly depending on the vehicle category.
Magnetic country identifiers are allowed as long as they meet the size and position requirements. You can remove the magnet from the vehicle after your holiday.
3. Equipment abroad: what belongs in the car?
Before your holiday, it pays to find out about the rules in place at your destination. The table below provides an overview of the mandatory equipment in a number of European countries:
| Country | Mandatory equipment |
|---|---|
| Germany |
|
| France |
|
| Italy |
|
| Croatia |
|
| Austria |
|
| Serbia |
|
| Kosovo |
|
Source: TCS (page not available in English)
Good to know: most countries also have additional rules for securing and marking loads. In some cases, this also applies to bike racks. Find out about the rules applicable in your destination before you set off.
4. Car insurance on holiday: what is needed abroad?
If you want to drive a car abroad, you must satisfy the insurance requirements of the country in which you are driving. In most European countries, the number plate agreement applies. This means that your number plate is considered proof that you have liability insurance.
In some countries, however, the number plate is not sufficient. In these countries, you must prove that you have adequate insurance with an international insurance card (previously “green card”). You can obtain the insurance card from your insurance company. It is often sent at the same time as the policy.
Good to know: the international insurance card is not indefinitely valid. Your insurance may also exclude coverage in some countries. Therefore, check whether the card has not expired and is valid in the holiday country before travelling abroad.
The green card is mandatory in the following countries:
Albania
Azerbaijan
Morocco
Macedonia
Moldova
Tunisia
Turkey
Ukraine
In Kosovo, the green insurance card is not recognised. You must purchase a special insurance policy for your car when crossing the border.
Check your car insurance in good time. This way, you are well protected in the event of breakdowns or accidents on your journey. When travelling abroad, we recommend taking out roadside assistance and legal protection insurance.
This article was first published on 31.07.2020
