Many European countries have toll roads. This article mainly focuses on vignettes and vehicles with a gross weight of up to 3.5 tons, but additional helpful information is also available for drivers of heavier vehicles.
What is a Vignette?
In addition to the vehicle’s environmental tax, which consists of a registration fee and annual tax, many European countries also use different types of road usage fees, commonly referred to as tolls.
Tolls can be divided into two categories:
- Distance-based toll – Often, access to the road is not possible until this toll is paid, but there are also electronic solutions available. These tolls are usually collected before highways, bridges, or tunnels. In English, this is typically referred to as a “road toll.”
- Time-based toll – This means that certain roads can be used as long as the vignette is valid.
Vignette validity options depend on the country, but they often include one-week, one-month, and one-year vignettes.
For a long time, vignette stickers were used, but today, in many countries, electronic vignettes are available, which use the vehicle’s license plate for identification.
It’s important to note that having a vignette does not exempt you from paying the distance-based toll and vice versa.
Example 1: Since Montenegro no longer uses vignettes, there’s no need to purchase one. However, you will need to pay up to 10 euros if you wish to travel through the Sozina Tunnel.
Example 2: In Romania, vignettes are used, but having a vignette does not exempt you from paying a toll for crossing the Cernavodă Bridge.
Vignette Weight Classes
In most countries where vignettes are used, there are two weight classes: vehicles under 3.5 tons and those over 3.5 tons.
Vehicles under 3.5 tons typically need to purchase either a vignette sticker or an electronic vignette. If the country uses an electronic vignette system, this is the most convenient solution.
Many unofficial vendors sell vignettes, which can make prices expensive. It is always recommended to compare prices with official sellers.
For heavier vehicles, a portable device is often required to track the vehicle’s movements in real-time (referred to as an on-board unit or OBU). Several companies offer complete toll solutions for both businesses and individuals across Europe.
Typically, motorhomes weighing less than 3.5 tons are subject to the same toll as regular cars, but in some countries, the height of the vehicle can play a role.
Eurovignette
In Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Sweden, vehicles over 12 tons need a Eurovignette to use certain tunnels, bridges, and roads. Starting January 1, 2025, a Eurovignette is no longer required in Denmark.
Vignette Sticker
In countries where stickers have not been replaced by electronic vignettes, they can be purchased at gas stations and border crossing points.
The sticker must be affixed to the vehicle’s windshield. Owning the sticker but not properly affixing it can result in a fine.
Lost or incorrectly affixed stickers are typically not replaced. Even if the windshield breaks, you’ll generally need to purchase a new sticker.
Estonia
In Estonia, a road usage fee is imposed on all trucks over 3.5 tons traveling on publicly used road networks. Foreign-registered trucks must also pay this fee.
The fee depends on the truck’s weight, axle count, and emission class.
Time-based Fee
Estonia applies a time-based fee, which grants the right to use the roads for a specific period.
The fee must be paid before starting the journey. Payment can be made 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Payments are recorded electronically, and no paper receipts are needed.
More information is available on the official road usage fee page.
Latvia
In Latvia, vehicles transporting goods weighing over 3 tons must purchase a vignette to access certain roads. Vignettes can be purchased through official websites, CSDD offices, and gas stations.
Lithuania
Vignettes are mandatory for vehicles transporting goods in the N1 to N3 categories, and M2 and M3 vehicles designed to carry more than 8 people (excluding the driver).
The vignette grants access to roads A1-A18 and A20, marked on an interactive map. Vignettes can be purchased online or at physical locations.
Poland
As of July 1, 2023, vehicles under 3.5 tons no longer need to pay a toll to travel on Polish roads. Heavier vehicles must use the electronic e-TOLL system.
Germany
Vehicles under 3.5 tons do not need to pay a toll.
However, vehicles traveling through low-emission zones must affix a sticker to their windshield indicating the vehicle’s environmental class.
If a vehicle is not environmentally friendly enough, a sticker cannot be obtained, preventing entry into specific areas. Motorcycles do not need this sticker. Violating this rule results in a fine of 100 euros. For more information, visit The German Emissions Sticker.
Starting January 1, 2024, vehicles over 3.5 tons will be subject to a toll.
Czech Republic
Vehicles under 3.5 tons with at least four wheels must purchase an electronic vignette to use some roads. An interactive map shows which roads require a vignette and where it can be purchased in addition to online.
Vehicles over 3.5 tons use an on-board unit system.
Slovakia
Vignettes are mandatory for all vehicles up to 3.5 tons traveling on Slovak highways. Failure to have a vignette results in a fine of 100 to 500 euros.
Heavier vehicles must use an on-board unit system. Learn more at emyto.sk/en.
Slovenia
Vignettes are mandatory for all vehicles up to 3.5 tons traveling on Slovenian highways. Electronic vignettes can be purchased on evinjeta.dars.si/en. The height of the vehicle also plays a role. Failure to display a vignette results in a fine of 300 to 800 euros.
Vehicles over 3.5 tons use an on-board unit system.
Austria
Since 1997, a vignette has been required for all vehicles up to 3.5 tons traveling on public highways. Since 2019, an electronic vignette has been available instead of a traditional sticker. For a quick overview, we recommend reading the information brochure.
Vehicles over 3.5 tons must use the GO-Box on-board system.
On the most expensive roads (usually highways with tunnels in the Alps), vignette usage is not mandatory, as tolls are collected at toll booths along the road. You can also pay this toll using the Toll FLEX service.
Failure to properly affix the vignette results in a fine of 240 euros. If the fine is not paid, an additional penalty of up to 3000 euros may be imposed. Vehicles of foreign nationals may be confiscated to guarantee payment.
Switzerland
Vignettes are mandatory for vehicles traveling on highways. Vehicles under 3.5 tons must purchase a vignette with an annual validity, as shorter-term vignettes are not sold. This vignette costs 40 Swiss francs (approximately 42 euros).
For more details, visit the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security or purchase an electronic vignette from an official seller.
Vehicles over 3.5 tons use a distance-based heavy vehicle toll. Changes are planned by the end of 2024.
Bulgaria
Vignettes are mandatory for all vehicles with four or more wheels. Vignettes can be purchased at most gas stations, border points, or official vendors online.
Vehicles over 3.5 tons can choose between an on-board unit system and a journey map.
Moldova
In Moldova, any vehicle not registered in the country must have a valid vignette for the entire duration of its stay. Failure to have a vignette results in a fine of up to 9000 RON (~1800 euros) and the obligation to purchase one.
Learn more and purchase a vignette on the official website.
Highway or Bypass?
If you’re considering whether to pay for a vignette or take side roads, it’s important to factor in fuel costs and safety. Side roads may be in poor condition, leading to uneven speeds (higher fuel consumption) and greater risk of accidents.
Stay Updated on Changes
Since articles like this gather a lot of information, it’s hard to keep them fully updated. Therefore, even the websites of companies offering toll solutions may contain outdated information.
For the most up-to-date details, we recommend checking official sources in the relevant country. If you notice an error in our article, please notify us at veeb@mobire.ee. This text may not cover all exceptions (e.g., electric vehicles do not require a vignette).
English sources like TollGuru, Dalnicni znamky, and tolls.eu may also be helpful, but be aware that they contain outdated information. For travel planning, Tollsmart and TollGuru calculators can be useful tools.
Original post is found here: https://mobire.ee/koik/teemaksud-euroopas/
