Renting car in Switzerland

SwingBeep wrote:Admin, where does it say that laws have to make sense?

Fair point.

I know plenty of places have daft laws (UK certainly included), but... it's particularly irritating because the EU have criminalised a perfectly ordinary activity (hiring a car from the airport and driving to your holiday destination) that literally millions of people must have done over the past few decades.

That it apparently only applies to EU citizens makes it even more bizarre/stupid to be honest; "just for you, our beloved people, we're gonna stuff up your holiday arrangements and make you criminals because... we can!".

Admin wrote:

SwingBeep wrote:Admin, where does it say that laws have to make sense?

Fair point.

I know plenty of places have daft laws (UK certainly included), but... it's particularly irritating because the EU have criminalised a perfectly ordinary activity (hiring a car from the airport and driving to your holiday destination) that literally millions of people must have done over the past few decades.

That it apparently only applies to EU citizens makes it even more bizarre/stupid to be honest; "just for you, our beloved people, we're gonna stuff up your holiday arrangements and make you criminals because... we can!".

Of course it can only apply to EU residents. For Swiss residents there are Swiss laws that apply. Sadly people hardly ever see beyond their precious holidays, and whatever the real reasons behind this or that law they will always see it as directed against them personally :) just ask for EU-registered car. Generally EU residents cannot buy goods outside EU and bring them into EU without filling appropriate forms and paying duties. The same apply to Swiss residents who want to purchase outside Switzerland. Rental cars are a little different since they are means of transport that bring tourists in, when I drive to EU whether the car is my own with Swiss plates or rented in Switzerland doesn't make a big difference from this point of view, but as EU residents you are not "tourists", that's why it's ok for me to rent a Swiss registered car to go to France, but not for you. Likewise I doubt that I can just hop across the border to rent a French-registered car and the Swiss will be ok with it if I am stopped. Once Britain leave EU you will become a tourist there and will be able to hire a car in Switzerland to drive in France, though for everything you buy in France to bring back to Britain above certain rather low limit you will have to fill the declaration and pay duty. And certainly DIY holiday-makers who drive from UK won't be able to stuff their cars with British products and just expect to bring it to France.

It is probably highly unlikely that you would be stopped but if you are the consequences can be horrible. In my view not worth the risk. I have switched my plans to fly to Munich because of this - it will mean a longer journey to resort but worth it for peace of mind. Car hire is much cheaper as well so that is some compensation .

As you are hiring from Geneva (French side of airport?) you may be able to get a French registered car and then no problem (as long as you don't want to drive in Switzerland as well!

Just thought I'd give this one a bump to see if anybody knows of any developments in relation to the rules around this? Flying into Munich for main trip but might be considering Zurich for a long weekend over the coming season and would like to know if there is any greater clarity on this issue?

I haven't heard of any changes, and as the problem will largely resolve itself when Brexit takes place I don't expect that there will be any.

SwingBeep wrote:I haven't heard of any changes, and as the problem will largely resolve itself when Brexit takes place I don't expect that there will be any.

Sorry Swingbeep - as an Irish resident, Brexit does not change this issue for me! In any event, given the uncertainty around Brexit, it could be many years before the Customs Union aspect is resolved.

http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/vehicles/cars/car-rental-abroad/index_en.htm
The Official EU website is still making it clear that an EU resident would need to rent a car with EU registration if they are planning on driving into an EU country, e.g. fly into Zurich and then travel down to Austria.

"If you plan to travel with your rental car both in EU and non-EU countries – for example from Switzerland to France, Germany, Austria or Italy – you need to tell the rental company in advance. They can provide you with an EU-registered car in order to comply with EU customs laws. Most car rental companies in Switzerland provide cars with EU number plates for EU residents in order to comply with EU customs rules, but you should check with your car rental company."

Anybody know how easy or difficult it is to get EU-reg cars from hirers in Zurich?

Although the letter of EU regulations state that the driver is at risk, I suspect that the French (being the pragmatic folk that they are) will overlook it for short term car hire. I lose track of how many EU regulations the French turn a blind eye to.

I have rented from GVA Swiss side 3 or 4 times since May last year and never been stopped, always waved through the large custom point on the motorway from Annecy. Friends have always had the same experience, although last Christmas one car rental company provided French registered car, al the other times (say 20 including friends) Swiss plates have been fine.
Bizarrely the Avis guy on the desk last week said that our Golf Estate would be fine on Swiss plates, but intimated that other (larger, pricier?) cars may have a problem.

Hiring out of the French side at GVA is a sweat, especially if you want to head towards Albertville.
My advise is to advise the hire company of your plans (and if you are worried, ask them to acknowledge in that writing)