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Transport · Switzerland
Updated September 2026

🚛 My car has been towed — where is it, and how do I get it back?

Direct answer

A towed car is at the municipal pound: call Gemeindeverwaltung / Stadtverwaltung (ch.ch) with your plate to confirm and to hear the fee and the opening hours; bring ID, the registration document and a means of payment, and expect a daily storage charge, so go today. If nobody knows where the car is, it may have been stolen — Kantonspolizei — Suisse ePolice (suisse-epolice.ch). If you think the towing was unjustified (no sign, sign obscured, works started after you parked), pay under protest, photograph the spot, and object; Ombudsstelle des Kantons / der Stadt (ombudsman-ch.ch) handles complaints about the municipality when the objection is ignored.

Call firstGemeindeverwaltung / Stadtverwaltung
Report toKantonspolizei — Suisse ePolice
If that failsOmbudsstelle des Kantons / der Stadt

🗣️ What to say

"My car, plate [number], was parked at [place] and is gone since [time]. Was it towed, where is it, what does it cost to collect, and what are the opening hours? I would also like to know the reason and whether a fine was issued."

🪜 Step by step

  1. Confirm: Gemeindeverwaltung / StadtverwaltungPlate, place, time. Many cities show towed cars online.
  2. Not towed: Kantonspolizei — Suisse ePoliceReport the theft immediately; the plate goes into the search system.
  3. Collect todayStorage fees run daily. ID, registration, payment; a friend can collect with a written authorisation.
  4. Photograph the spotSigns, distance from the corner, any works or temporary signs — before they change.
  5. ObjectTo the towing decision and the fine, in writing, within the deadline; escalate to Ombudsstelle des Kantons / der Stadt if the answer is a form letter.

📇 All contacts

Gemeindeverwaltung / StadtverwaltungMunicipal administration: residents, order, noise, waste, lost propertyFor anything the municipality regulates🔗 www.ch.ch
Kantonspolizei — Suisse ePoliceReport online or at the stationAlways; you need the reference for the bank🔗 www.suisse-epolice.ch
Ombudsstelle des Kantons / der StadtComplaints about administration, free (where it exists)When the authority does not answer or acts unfairly🔗 www.ombudsman-ch.ch
Verwaltungsgericht des KantonsAppeals against administrative decisionsWithin 30 days of the decision🔗 www.bger.ch

❓ Frequently asked

Can they tow for an ordinary parking offence?

Rules vary: some cities tow only when the car obstructs; others tow for any offence in certain zones. The sign at the spot is decisive.

They damaged the car while towing

Note it before you leave the pound, photograph, and claim from the municipality or the towing company in writing.

Temporary no-parking signs appeared after I parked

Most countries require signs to be up for a minimum period (often 24–72 hours) before towing. Ask the municipality for the date the sign was placed.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

  • “car towed where is it Switzerland”
  • “towed car pound fees”
  • “object to towing unjustified”
  • “car gone towed or stolen”
  • “towing complaint municipality”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Related questions

🅿️Parking fine→🚗Hit and run→🚲Bike stolen→🚇Transport card lost→

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