Residential areaSwitzerland

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.


4. Residential area

A residential area is a street or group of streets where housing and access to local properties are the main functions. Drivers should expect pedestrians, cyclists, children, parked vehicles and vehicles entering or leaving driveways.

Some countries identify particular residential areas with traffic signs and apply special low-speed and residential-area rules. The speed limit, pedestrian rights, parking rules and permitted road users therefore depend on local signs and regulations.

Residential area. (Bremgarten bei Bern, Switzerland)
Wikimedia.org • Suzanne Michel • CC BY-SA
How do people refer to a residential area in Switzerland?

The official local terms are Begegnungszone in German, zone de rencontre in French and zona d’incontro in Italian. These identify the specially signposted 20 km/h category.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Signalling Ordinance articles 22a-22b; Road Traffic Act articles 26-27,38

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Signalling Ordinance, state 1 October 2026

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state 1 July 2026

Start of a residential area. Start of a residential area.

English • Traffic sign 2.59.5 • Residential area.

Deutsch • Verkehrssignal 2.59.5 • Begegnungszone.

Français • Signal 2.59.5 • Zone de rencontre.

Italiano • Segnale 2.59.5 • Zona d’incontro.

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 2.59.5, PDF page 112. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.

End of the residential area. End of the residential area.

English • Traffic sign 2.59.6 • End of residential area.

Deutsch • Verkehrssignal 2.59.6 • Ende der Begegnungszone.

Français • Signal 2.59.6 • Fin de la zone de rencontre.

Italiano • Segnale 2.59.6 • Fine della zona d’incontro.

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 2.59.6, PDF page 113. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.

What speed limit applies in a residential area in Switzerland?

The maximum in the specially signposted category is 20 km/h. A 30 km/h zone is different and does not automatically give pedestrians the same priority.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Signalling Ordinance articles 22a-22b; Road Traffic Act articles 26-27,38

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Signalling Ordinance, state 1 October 2026

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state 1 July 2026

What rights do pedestrians have in a signposted residential area in Switzerland?

Pedestrians may use the whole circulation area and have priority over ordinary vehicle traffic, but must not obstruct vehicles unnecessarily. Priority over rail vehicles is governed by separate rules.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Signalling Ordinance articles 22a-22b; Road Traffic Act articles 26-27,38

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Signalling Ordinance, state 1 October 2026

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state 1 July 2026

Where may I park in a residential area in Switzerland?

For cars, park only in places designated by signs or markings. Bicycles and mopeds follow the general parking rules. Do not park elsewhere merely because the road is wide or vehicles must travel slowly.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Signalling Ordinance articles 22a-22b; Road Traffic Act articles 26-27,38

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Signalling Ordinance, state 1 October 2026

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state 1 July 2026

1 Switzerland 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Zone 6 Speed limit 7 Minimum speed 8 Footpath 9 Bike path 10 Shared-use path 11 Tunnel 12 Pedestrian zone 13 Customs 14 One-way traffic 15 Slope 16 Bus lane 17 Bus stop 18 Dead end 19 Stop sign 20 Give way 21 Roundabout 22 Priority road 23 Road narrowing 24 Priority over oncoming traffic 25 Give way to oncoming traffic 26 Pedestrian crossing 27 Railway crossing 28 Mandatory direction 29 Turn prohibition 30 School area 31 Overtaking 32 Crossing animals 33 Slippery road 34 Rockfall 35 Aircraft 36 Curve 37 Chevron 38 Wrong-way driving 39 Roadworks 40 Crosswind 41 Height limit 42 Width limit 43 Length limit 44 Weight limit 45 Intersection direction sign 46 Priority at the next junction 47 Traffic lights 48 Traffic lights warning 49 Pedestrian lights 50 Road markings 51 Junction layout 52 Driving licence 53 Location marker 54 Road number 55 Countdown markers 56 Traffic mirror 57 Emergency telephone 58 International border 59 Pedestrian underpass 60 Cycling route 61 End of restriction 62 Parking 63 No parking 64 No stopping 65 Parking disc 66 Reversing 67 U-turn 68 Traffic jam 69 Detour 70 Uncontrolled crossroad 71 Road surface 72 Exit 73 Information point 74 Horse riding 75 Emergency exit 76 Runaway truck ramp 77 Radio service 78 Oversize load 79 City limit 80 Hospital 81 Parking garage 82 Passing place 83 Pedestrian overpass 84 Axle weight limit 85 Licence plate 86 Charging station 87 Dangers 88 Weather 89 Turn on red 90 Pedestrian 91 Cyclist 92 Moped 93 Motorcycle 94 Car 95 Truck 96 Bus 97 Police 98 Ambulance 99 Tailgating 100 European emission standard ...