Parking zoneSwitzerland

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Switzerland. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.

Traffic signs

Traffic rules

Switzerland

1. Parking zone

A parking zone is an area where a particular parking rule applies throughout a group of streets or a defined district rather than only at a single parking place. The applicable rule may regulate whether parking is allowed, how long vehicles may remain parked, which vehicles may park or whether payment or a parking permit is required.

The beginning and end of a parking zone are normally indicated by zone signs. Drivers should check the information shown at the entrance because the parking conditions may continue to apply throughout the zone without being repeated on every street.

Does a Swiss blue parking zone mean unlimited free parking?

No. Swiss blue-zone parking follows the parking-disc system and an official timetable, with special periods around midday and overnight. The permitted end time depends on the displayed start time and signs, not simply the colour of the zone.

🔗 astra.admin.ch • Swiss Federal Roads Office, official parking-disc timetable

Start of a parking zone.

English • Traffic sign 2.59.1 • Zone sign. Traffic sign 4.17 • Parking permitted.

Deutsch • Verkehrssignal 2.59.1 • Zonensignal. Verkehrssignal 4.17 • Parkieren gestattet.

Français • Signal 2.59.1 • Signal de zone. Signal 4.17 • Parcage autorisé.

Italiano • Segnale 2.59.1 • Segnale per zone. Segnale 4.17 • Parcheggio.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • SSV, Anhang 2 (DE)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSR, annexe 2 (FR)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSStr, allegato 2 (IT)

SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2017-07-08. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork reviewed against the Swiss signalling ordinance, version 1 October 2026, annex 2: Fedlex.admin.ch • Signal 2.59.1, PDF page 112. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.

End of the parking zone.

English • Traffic sign 2.59.2 • End-of-zone sign.

Deutsch • Verkehrssignal 2.59.2 • Ende-Zonensignal.

Français • Signal 2.59.2 • Signal de fin de zone.

Italiano • Segnale 2.59.2 • Fine del segnale per zone.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • SSV, Anhang 2 (DE)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSR, annexe 2 (FR)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSStr, allegato 2 (IT)

SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2017-07-08. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork reviewed against the Swiss signalling ordinance, version 1 October 2026, annex 2: Fedlex.admin.ch • Signal 2.59.2, PDF page 112. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.