Autonomous vehicles in Switzerland and its neighbouring countries
Autonomous driving has developed into one of the main innovation topics throughout the world in recent years. This article sheds light on the current situation regarding autonomous vehicles in Switzerland and compares it with developments in the neighbouring countries of Austria, Germany and France.
Let’s start with a little theory to aid our understanding
Autonomous driving is divided into five levels defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers. Each level describes the extent to which the vehicle can and may take over the tasks of the driver.1
| Level | Assistance | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Assisted driving | Cruise control and lane departure warning system |
| Level 2 | Semi-autonomous driving | Parking assistant |
| Level 3 | Highly autonomous driving | Car steers, overtakes and brakes on its own |
| Level 4 | Fully autonomous driving | Car is capable of navigating itself, driver only intervenes if necessary |
| Level 5 | Autonomous driving | Passengers no longer assume any driver function |
The current situation regarding autonomous vehicles in Switzerland
Switzerland is an important player in Europe with regard to the progress achieved and legal framework for autonomous vehicles. Compared with other European countries, Switzerland has adopted a relatively progressive attitude towards the technology of autonomous driving. It has created a flexible regulatory environment that enables companies to experiment with autonomous vehicles in controlled surroundings.
Legal framework
In 2020, the revision of the federal road traffic law established a legal basis that allows autonomous vehicles to be tested without the requirement for a driver to be present in the vehicle. 2Switzerland is thus pursuing a gradual approach that initially permits testing under specific conditions before a broader introduction can take place. A core component of the provision is the use of vehicles equipped with sophisticated sensors and communication systems in order to ensure safety.
At its session on 13 December 2024, the Federal Council then passed an ordinance governing autonomous driving.
This ordinance, which entered into force in Switzerland on 1 March 2025, provides a framework for a variety of use cases of autonomous driving.3
The following three use cases are addressed by the ordinance:
- Motorway pilot : Car drivers can take their hands off the wheel and do other things but must be prepared to take over at any time. However, current systems are not yet certified in Switzerland.
- Driverless vehicles: The ordinance permits the use of autonomous vehicles on approved routes. There are already pilot projects in Switzerland, such as in Zurich, where autonomous electric cars are to supplement public transport.
- Autonomous parking: These systems enable vehicles to park autonomously in car parks without the presence of a driver. Initial systems have already been approved but cannot yet be used in Switzerland.
Technological development:
There are several companies in Switzerland actively engaged in developing autonomous driving. One of the best-known providers is Waymo, which is working on the development of autonomous vehicles in cooperation with Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) and other partners. There are already pilot projects in cities such as Zurich and Geneva for testing autonomous vehicles in restricted areas.
Switzerland is focusing strongly on cooperation with international technology companies in order to develop innovative transport solutions. Another example is the autonomous shuttle project in Sion in Canton Valais that is being carried out together with PostAuto and other partners. This enables passengers to reach their destinations in a fully autonomous vehicle without the need for driver intervention.
Comparison with neighbouring countries
| Country | Legal framework | Technological development |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Germany passed the Act on Autonomous Driving in 2017 that provides the legal framework for testing and using self-driving vehicles.4 It allows cars without a driver to use public roads as long as they are equipped with an ‘emergency driver’ capable of intervening if necessary. However, Germany is planning to go still further by granting full approval for level 5 autonomy (fully autonomous without human intervention) as soon as the technology permits this. | German industry is investing massively in the development of autonomous vehicles both through international cooperation agreements and through national research and development departments. Autonomous driving is a core topic in the German car industry. Cities such as Munich and Stuttgart are serving as testing grounds for autonomous vehicle projects. |
| Austria | Austria currently allows autonomous vehicles to be tested on public roads but only as long as a human driver is able to take over at any time. The technology is not yet fully developed and Austria is continuing to test various aspects of the technology and infrastructure in order to ensure that the vehicles can operate safely in public traffic.5 | Austria is increasingly focusing on pilot projects. For example, there are self-driving shuttle buses in Vienna and Salzburg that run on specially marked routes. These projects are intended to test acceptance among the population and refine the technology. |
| France | France already adopted an ordinance in 2016 regarding the testing of vehicles with driving delegation on public roads. This allows for the experimental operation of an autonomous vehicle (level 5), provided that a permit has been issued. Since 2022, the code de la route has also been adapted, and vehicles equipped with a driving delegation system are permitted to operate on the roads of France, under certain conditions. For example, the vehicles must always be monitored by a driver who can take control of the vehicle if necessary. | There are also numerous pilot projects in France. The “EasyMile” shuttle being tested in various French cities is particularly worthy of mention. France is pursuing an approach targeted at integrating autonomous vehicles into the public transport system in order to reduce urban traffic. |
Conclusion
Switzerland has established itself as a progressive country in the regulation and development of autonomous vehicles while pursuing a pragmatic and incremental approach. A comparison with its neighbouring countries shows that each country is focusing on different regulatory strategies and technological priorities. While Switzerland and Germany have made more progress in terms of statutory provisions, countries such as Austria and France are focusing more on pilot projects to test the technology on public roads.
It remains to be seen how the technology advances in the years to come. Nonetheless, autonomous driving will clearly play a growing role in Switzerland and its neighbouring countries in the near future, both in urban and rural transport.
Sources:
1. https://www.sae.org/standards/content/j3016_202104/
2. https://www.news.admin.ch/fr/nsb?id=80041
4. https://www.bmv.de/SharedDocs/EN/Articles/DG/act-on-autonomous-driving.html
https://dserver.bundestag.de/btd/19/274/1927439.pdf
5. https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/de/themen/mobilitaet/kfz/Seite.061910
Published on 01.07.2025