Your car in Switzerland: import & registration

Option 1: bringing your car as "moving goods"

If you've owned the car for at least 6 months and are importing it as part of your personal move to establish residence in Switzerland, you can apply for an exemption from customs duty and import VAT under the "moving goods" regime (Übersiedlungsgut / biens de déménagement). To do so:

• Fill in the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG/OFDF) form — form 18.44, "list of moving goods" (Umzugsgut).
• Declare the vehicle when you cross the border, at the relevant customs post — this can't be done afterward.
• Bring the Spanish registration certificate, proof of purchase or ownership, and proof of your new Swiss residence (lease agreement or municipal registration confirmation).
• The car must be for your personal use — you generally can't sell it in Switzerland during a minimum period (typically 12 months) without settling the taxes.

If you don't meet these conditions (for example, you bought the car less than 6 months ago), you'll have to pay Swiss import VAT (8.1%) on the vehicle's value, and potentially customs duties depending on its origin and weight.

Option 2: the Swiss technical inspection (MFK / OTV)

Before you can register it, the car must pass the cantonal technical inspection (Motorfahrzeugkontrolle / contrôle technique). EU-approved cars usually pass without major issues, but pay special attention to:

• Headlight beam pattern (sometimes needs adjustment, though driving on the right as in Spain usually isn't an issue in practice)
• Emissions and environmental labeling
• That the vehicle has no non-homologated modifications

Option 3: registering in your canton of residence

Once you've passed the inspection, go to your canton's road traffic office (Strassenverkehrsamt / Office de la circulation / Ufficio della circolazione) with:

• Technical inspection (MFK/OTV) pass certificate
• Proof of residence in the canton (municipal registration)
• Swiss third-party liability insurance already taken out (mandatory before registering — arrange it in advance)
• The customs import document (stamped form 18.44, or proof that VAT was paid)

Swiss plates carry your canton's prefix (for example ZH for Zurich, GE for Geneva, VD for Vaud), and you pay an annual vehicle tax to that canton, which varies based on engine size, weight or power and differs quite a bit from one canton to another.

Is it worth bringing it, or buying in Switzerland?

As a rule of thumb: if your car is recent and fuel-efficient, bringing it usually pays off (especially if you qualify for the moving-goods exemption). If it's older or high-emission, cantonal circulation taxes and the cost of adapting it can make it more sensible to sell in Spain and buy in Switzerland, where the used car market is large and good quality.