Switzerland changes approval for road transport companies

At its meeting on March 14, 2025, the Federal Council approved amendments to the regulation on the licensing of road transport companies. These amendments concern, among other things, the proof of the company’s registered office and the requirements for financial capacity.

(Bern) In the summer session of 2024, Parliament approved various adjustments to the federal law on the licensing of road transport companies. Among other things, a licensing requirement will be introduced for companies that use vans over 2.5 tons for cross-border freight transport. Additionally, measures against shell companies (“mailbox companies”) are planned. The adjustments aim to promote fair competition and professionalism in the transport industry.

At its meeting on March 14, 2025, the Federal Council amended the regulation on the licensing of road transport companies in passenger and freight transport due to this legislative change.

On one hand, the regulation will now contain more precise provisions regarding the proof of the company’s registered office. This aims to prevent foreign transport companies from establishing mailbox companies in Switzerland to circumvent the cabotage prohibition. On the other hand, the Federal Council has set the amounts for proving financial capacity for light vehicles and simultaneously reduced the existing amounts for vehicles over 3.5 tons.

Exceptions to the licensing requirement

Companies that exclusively use vehicles up to 3.5 tons and conduct freight transport only within Switzerland will remain exempt from the licensing requirement. The adjustments to the law and regulation will come into effect on May 1, 2025.

Here is the regulation

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