Is there a truck driving ban in Switzerland on 26 December 2026?

No. Switzerland has no daytime truck ban on 26 December 2026, because Christmas falls on a Friday and the Swiss rule bans 26 December only when Christmas is not a Monday or a Friday. The night ban from 22:00 to 05:00 still applies to heavy vehicles that Saturday.

Article 91 of the Swiss traffic rules ordinance (VRV) sets the Sunday ban for every Sunday and for New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Ascension, Whit Monday, 1 August and Christmas, plus 26 December when Christmas is not a Monday or Friday. The Federal Roads Office (ASTRA) publishes the same list. In 2026, Christmas is on Friday, so 2026-12-25 is a ban day and Saturday 2026-12-26 is not.

Which days around Christmas 2026 are closed to heavy trucks in Switzerland?

Friday 2026-12-25 is closed all day. Saturday 2026-12-26 has no daytime ban, so heavy vehicles may drive between 05:00 and 22:00, then the night ban returns. Sunday 2026-12-27 is closed all day under the normal Sunday ban. See the Swiss holiday calendar for 2026 for the dates, and remember that a canton that does not celebrate one of the listed days lifts the ban there.

Which vehicles does the Swiss ban cover?

Article 91 covers heavy motor vehicles, which means rigid vehicles above 3500 kg gross weight under VTS article 10 , articulated tractors with a permitted combined weight above 5 t, and any vehicle pulling a trailer above 3.5 t. Article 91a lists exemptions, for example certain non-frozen food with a shelf life of up to 30 days, cut flowers and livestock. Plan the open Saturday window with the Swiss HGV speed limits in mind, since 05:00 to 22:00 leaves a short day for alpine routes.

What are the Swiss federal ban days in 2027?

In 2027, Christmas falls on a Saturday, so 2027-12-26 is a Sunday and the ban applies anyway. Calculated from the Article 91 list and the Easter date of 2027-03-28, the weekday ban days are Friday 2027-01-01, Friday 2027-03-26, Monday 2027-03-29, Thursday 2027-05-06, Monday 2027-05-17 and Saturday 2027-12-25. 1 August 2027 already falls on a Sunday. The full rule set is in our Swiss night and Sunday ban guide .

Frequently asked questions

Is 26 December a truck ban day in Switzerland every year?

No. It is a ban day only when Christmas does not fall on a Monday or a Friday. In 2026 Christmas is on a Friday, so the daytime ban does not apply on Saturday 2026-12-26.

What are the Swiss night ban hours for trucks?

The night ban runs from 22:00 to 05:00 on every night of the year, as set by Article 91 paragraph 2 of the VRV. It also applies on Saturday 2026-12-26 from 22:00.

Do cantons change the Swiss holiday ban list?

Yes. If a canton or part of a canton does not celebrate one of the listed days, the Sunday ban does not apply there on that day. Check the canton you cross before you rely on the federal list.

Does the Swiss ban apply to vans under 3.5 t?

Light motor vehicles up to 3500 kg are not heavy motor vehicles, so they are outside the ban. A light vehicle pulling a trailer above 3.5 t is covered.

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