Selling a car in Switzerland involves a cantonal deregistration process. Completing it promptly protects you from ongoing insurance and tax liability.
1. Deregister at Your Cantonal Office
Visit your cantonal road traffic office (Strassenverkehrsamt / Service des automobiles et de la navigation) to deregister the vehicle and return your plates. Until this is done, you remain the registered owner and retain liability. Bring the registration certificate (both parts) and your ID.
2. Return Your Plates
Swiss plates stay with the owner, not the vehicle. Return your plates at the cantonal office and confirm deregistration. The buyer applies for new plates in their own canton.
3. Cancel Your Insurance
Contact your insurer to cancel the motor liability insurance (Motorfahrzeug-Haftpflichtversicherung) after cantonal deregistration is confirmed. Request a pro-rata refund. Note: you cannot deregister without proof of insurance — do not cancel before completing the deregistration.
4. Cancel Road Tax (Motorfahrzeugsteuer)
After deregistration, the cantonal road tax authority will typically process a refund for unused tax automatically. Confirm this is the case in your canton.
5. Keep All Records
Retain the sale agreement (Kaufvertrag), cantonal deregistration confirmation, and insurance cancellation for at least two years. These protect you in case of any dispute about ownership or post-sale liability.
