Tolls and vignettes in Europe - regulations and costs 2024

Unfortunately, the use of most European freeways or expressways is subject to a charge, but there is no uniform EU-wide regulation on the amount and form of these “charges”. The amount of the toll is usually based on the weight of the vehicle, but often also on the height. Many questions therefore arise before the start of the trip: Do I need a vignette? Or do I have to pay a toll? What costs will I incur? And how are these paid for?

To give you an initial overview, we have updated the individual toll and vignette regulations of the European countries here, in some cases with specific calculation examples. (Status: December 2023)

However, these can always change – so it’s best to check again before you leave to see if there are any new regulations for your destination.

Toll boxes in Europe

How practical it would be to have a device in the vehicle that automatically registers you as soon as you pass a toll station in Europe. However, the European states are still a long way from a uniform regulation. Instead, only in some countries can the unlimited pleasure be enjoyed with a transponder on the windshield or a digital vignette. Detailed information on this can be found in our article on toll boxes in Europe.

InItaly, France, Spain and Portugal, this is possible with the“Bip&Go transponder“. The French Télépéage, the Spanish Télépéage or the Libert-T-Box as well as the Telepass and the EASYToll or TollService system in Italy accept the registration of Bip&Go.

Caravan combinations and motorhomes up to 3.5 t and with a maximum height of three meters enjoy free travel through the popular vacation destinations. Information: www.bipandgo.com

In Italy, there is also the VIACARD toll box, which is used for automatic clearance, and the TELEPASS, which is possible with online registration at Tollticket.

Austria is also coming up with a digital vignette, the Pickerl. In addition to the Austrian highway network, the Brenner, Tauern and Arlberg road tunnels, among others, can also be driven through without any worries. The electronic sticker is distributed by ASFINAG.

In addition, Bulgaria, Greece, Croatia, Norway, Poland, Serbia, Turkey and Belarus also offer electronic billing systems.

Tolls and vignettes in Europe

Here is a list of the most important European travel destinations in alphabetical order:

Albania

In Albania you drive without tolls and vignettes. The only two exceptions are the 5.65 km long Kalimash Tunnel. Passage costs 5 euros for cars and between 11 and 17 euros for motorhomes.

The A1 is also subject to tolls. This leads from the Adriatic coast towards Kosovo. The toll is €2.50 for a motorcycle, €5 for a car and €22.50 for heavy goods vehicles.

Belgium

In Belgium, only the Liefkenshoek tunnel near Antwerp is subject to tolls for passenger transport (i.e. cars, buses, motorhomes, etc.). The toll can be paid in cash, by credit card or by on-board unit and depends on the vehicle height (up to 2.75 m or over 2.75 m). The cheapest option for both vehicle categories is to pay by on-board unit, followed by credit card, and the most expensive is to pay in cash: www.liefkenshoektunnel.be/nl/tarieven

If you have a motorhome that weighs over 3.5 tons and is registered as a truck, you have to pay the truck toll in Belgium. If it is registered as a passenger vehicle, you are not affected. Information on the truck toll can be found on the Viapass website.

Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, all national roads are subject to tolls, including highways. The toll obligation applies for cars, motorhomes, caravans and trucks.
In addition, there is a special toll for some ferries and Danube bridges, e.g. from Vidin to Calafat or from Giurgiu to Ruse.

Depending on the weight of the vehicle, a weekend vignette costs 5.50 euros, a 7-day vignette between 8 and 45 euros, a vignette for one month between 15 and 89 euros and for a whole year between 50 and 891 euros. For vehicles over 3.5 t, the emission class also plays a role in calculating the costs in addition to the weight.

Since the beginning of 2019, there have been no more paper vignettes in Bulgaria, only electronic ones. You can order these on the bgtoll.bg website or at a local sales outlet

If you have a vehicle that weighs more than 3.5 t, you have had to pay a toll for the distance traveled since August 2019. The options for paying this toll are either via GNSS On-Board Unit, via GPS or via a route ticket. Detailed information can be found here.

Denmark

There are no tolls or highway charges in Denmark. Exceptions are the Storebaelt and Øresund bridges.

• The fees for the Storebaelt Bridge are between 35 and 52 euros for cars, minibuses and motorhomes under 3.5 tons. Heavier or very long vehicles must expect to pay between 100 and 158 euros.
• For the trip over the Øresund Bridge costs between 60 and 120 euros for cars and motorhomes, depending on the length.
  The toll for the two bridges can be paid with the Tolltickets Autopass toll box. This is valid for bridges and ferries in the EasyGo network.

The toll booth consists of several color-coded lanes. Depending on the payment method, you are placed in the desired lane: fully automatic payment (green), self-service (blue), personal service (yellow).

Estonia

In Estonia, tolls are compulsory for vehicles weighing over 3.5 tons. However, motorhomes are exempt and cars also drive toll-free in Estonia.

Finland

You can use the Finnish road network without a toll or vignette.

France

In France, tolls must be paid when entering or leaving highways or expressways. Almost all highways as well as some bridges and tunnels are subject to tolls. The costs amount to approximately 0.09 to 0.14 euros per kilometer.

Since February 2023: From this date, tolls have been increased by approx. 4.75 Drivers of electric cars receive a 5% discount, but this exception is only limited to one year.

The highways are not operated by a single company, but by different ones, each of which sets individual prices. Tolls are calculated on the basis of the distance traveled and the vehicle class or size.

• Class 1: Vehicles and combinations with a maximum height of 2 meters and a gross vehicle weight of less than 3.5 t.
• Class 2: Vehicles and combinations with a maximum height of between 2 and 3 meters and a gross vehicle weight of less than 3.5 t
• Class 3: Vehicles with two axles and a total height of 3 meters or more or a gross vehicle weight of more than 3.5 t.

Important to know:
All permanent superstructures are included in the height calculation (e.g. air conditioning systems or sleeping facilities), but not aerials, signs or roof racks.

Here you will find a list of the current toll charges in the different vehicle classes (as of 2023).

For a better overview on the road, there is a map with marked toll and toll-free routes as a pdf for downloading and printing. If you want to plan your trip precisely, you can use this toll calculator: autoroutes.fr

If you are touring France for a longer period of time and want to avoid long queues at toll booths, you can buy a so-called Liber-t box box. With the help of a small receiver attached to the windshield, the toll charges are automatically recorded.

▶▶Note: The Liber-t Box is for vehicles up to 3.5 t and 3 m high. Vehicles that weigh over 3.5 t and are higher than 3 m require the TIS-PL

A cheaper alternative to the Liber-t Box is the electronic payment system from bipandgo is a cheaper alternative to the Liber-t Box. Here you pay 1.70 euros per month of use plus the respective toll charges. The cost of purchasing the box is 20 euros.

New since 2023: Gradually, more and more toll stations in France are being replaced by toll gantries, where your vehicle is electronically registered via the license plate. The new system will initially be introduced on less touristy routes. It is important to note “Péage Flux Libre”, as the toll is collected electronically on these routes. If you do not pay them as a foreign tourist, this will be treated as a speeding offense and will also be prosecuted abroad.

You can pay in these ways:

• online within 72 hours of transit
• at certain terminals located at service stations and gas stations
• via an e-toll box such as Bip&Go or Tolltickets.

Special feature: environmental vignettes for Paris, Lyon and Grenoble

Since April 2017, foreign vehicles have also been allowed to drive in some cities (e.g. Paris, Lyon, Strasbourg and Lille as well as the greater Grenoble area). only with the “Crit’Air” vignette. This environmental badge is issued depending on the vehicle category and can be ordered online. Attention: Shipping currently takes around 10 days! (Status: November 2023)

We have summarized further information on the subject of “Crit’Air” in the article “Low emission zones in France”. You can also find more details about the individual environmental zones and stickers on the France.fr website.

Greece

The situation in Greece is a little more confusing than in other countries. This is due to the fact that six different companies are responsible for operating the respective highways and collecting the tolls.

Tolls are charged in Greece for the use of highways as well as for some tunnels, bridges and expressways. The route from Athens to “Eleftherios Venizelos” International Airport is also subject to tolls, although it can be bypassed toll-free if necessary.

As in France, the toll in Greece must be paid by credit card or in cash (please always take small change with you!). The amount of the fees depends on the height and number of axles as well as the distance traveled. Vehicles and combinations under 2.20 meters in height fall under class 2, for vehicles over 2.20 meters in height class 3 is charged.

Since November 2020, there has been an electronic payment system which is valid for all highway operators.

The route Thessaloniki – Lamia on the highway operated by Aegan Motorway, for example, costs 18.50 euros in class 2.

You can find the fees of other highway companies on the following pages:

• NeaOdos
• OlympiaOdos
• AttikiOdos
• Moreas
• Aegean Motorway
• Egnatia Odos

Price examples 2024 for a passenger car:

• Athens-Thessaloniki approx. 31 Euro
• Athens-Kalamata approx. 14 Euro
• Athens-Ioannina approx. 40 Euro
• Thessaloniki-Patras approx. 33 Euro
• Thessaloniki – Ioannina approx. 7 Euro

Please note: According to our author Nima, who has been to Greece several times, the toll stations are sometimes placed in the middle of the previously free section of highway without prior notice. Here you can find a rough overview of the toll roads. So it’s best to find out about the regulations on site!

The use of the Rio-Andirrio Bridge, which crosses the Gulf of Corinth, costs money:

• for cars with trailers up to 2 meters high 13,70 Euro
• for cars with a trailer that is higher than 2 meters 21.00 Euro
  This category also includes motorhomes.

An alternative to the bridge is the ferry, which departs every 30 minutes. Here you pay €11 for a motorhome for a one-way crossing.

Great Britain

In Great Britain, the use of freeways is mostly free of charge, with only the M6 from Birmingham to Wolverhampton and a few tunnels and bridges incurring costs depending on the vehicle class and/or time of day.

You can find an overview of all toll routes on the British government website: gov.uk/uk-toll-roads

Special features: London and Durham

The so-called “London Congestion Charge ” is levied on working days (Mon.-Fri.) between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. in central London . The zone is marked by a round sign with a red “C “. The daily fee is 15.00 pounds for cars and must be paid in advance via the Internet by credit card or at post offices, petrol stations and in certain stores. Failure to comply with the congestion charge will result in a fine of 160 pounds.

Drivers with disabilities are partially exempt from the congestion charge. However, we were unable to find out whether this also applies to vehicle owners from outside the UK.

In addition, a Low Emission Zone applies in large parts of London. This low emission zone may only be entered by cars that have been registered beforehand. The license plates are recorded by video surveillance. Anyone who drives through the London low emission zone with an unregistered vehicle will pay heavy fines.

But let’s be honest: who wants to drive their motorhome through the crowded city center of London? When visiting the English capital, we recommend parking your motorhome outside the city center and exploring London by public transport.

If you still absolutely have to go into the city center with your vehicle, you can visit the official website of the London Low Emission Zone to check whether entry is permitted or not.

Durham has also introduced a congestion charge zone in the city center to reduce the volume of traffic – the Durham Road User Charge Zone . A fee of 2 pounds per day is payable here from Monday to Saturday, from 10 am to 4 pm.

Italy

Almost all highways in Italy are subject to tolls. The amount of the fee depends on the route and the vehicle class. (A little insider tip from our colleague Henning from leben-unterwegs.com: The A3 Salerno – Reggio Calabria in southern Italy is completely toll-free! :-))

Payment is made at the toll stations – preferably in cash, as credit card payment is not always possible. Here, you can choose the appropriate lane (white for cash payment, blue for credit card payment and yellow for drivers who use the Telepass automatic payment system).

The A36 (“Pedemontana”) in the greater Milan area is an exception: here, the “free flow” system was introduced here. This means that vehicles passing through are automatically registered and the charges incurred are calculated on the basis of the license plate. These must then be paid within 15 days (!), otherwise there is a high penalty (up to 340 euros). Payment can be made by credit card, via a “license plate account”, at freeway service points or by monthly invoice with the Telepass.

So if you frequently travel on this route or for longer periods in Italy, it may be worth buying one of these devices. You can find more information here.

Vehicle classes

• Class A: 2-axle vehicles (cars and motorcycles) with a maximum height of 1.30 m
• Class B: 2-axle motor vehicles (bus, truck, motorhome or car) that are higher than 1.30 m at the front axle
• Classes 3, 4, 5: Cars with trailers, caravans, buses or trucks with a total of 3, 4 or 5 axles

If you want to know exactly how much the tolls are for your chosen route, you can find out with this toll calculator.

Please note: The city names must be entered in Italian spelling!

Croatia

In Croatia, there are distance-based tolls on almost all highway sections. Payment is usually made in cash or by credit card when leaving the highway. However, it is also possible to use electronic toll boxes. In this case, discounts are granted.

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New since July 2023

Since summer 2023, you can also use the Maut1 toll box in Croatia. Currently (as of January 2023), however, only vehicles up to 3 m in height and up to a maximum total mass of 3.5 t can benefit from this. Customers of maut1.de will be informed as soon as the Croatian toll operators make any technical changes.

With the code CAMPERSTYLE you save €3 when you buy the Maut1 box!

The toll prices depend on the length of the route and the height, weight and number of axles of the vehicle. You can calculate exact prices with this toll calculator.
Tip: The page is in Croatian, but GoogleTranslate provides a useful translation for once! 🙂

In addition, the Ucka Tunnel and the Mirna Viaduct are subject to tolls. The Krk Bridge has not been subject to tolls since 2020.

Special feature: In Croatia, “seasonal toll increases” for motorcycles and cars apply between July 1 and September 30 – on average by 10%, on some routes even by up to 50%.

However, as a spokeswoman for the highway company Hrvatske autoceste told us on request, this increase does NOT apply to motorhomes and caravans. (as at: December 2023)

The current conditions and prices for the most important routes can be found on the Hrvatske autoceste website.

Latvia

With a car you drive toll-free in Latvia. Motorhomes are exempt from the toll for vehicles over 3.5 tons.

attention

A fee is charged at the entrances to the town of Jurmala. To do this, you have to drive off the main road and pay a fee from 2 euros at a machine, the amount of which depends on the length of stay and the vehicle weight class. However, the payment points are poorly signposted, so that we also fell into this frequently criticized tourist trap. Official information can be found at visitjurmala.lv/en/about/practical-information/entrance-fee/.

Lithuania

In Lithuania, tolls are charged for vehicles over 3.5 tons, but motorhomes are exempt. You can also drive on Lithuanian roads by car without a toll or vignette.

Note on the Kuhrische Nehrung:
If you wish to drive your vehicle into the Kuhrische Nerhung National Park, a fee will be charged. The cost for a car is 5 euros, for a camper van 15 euros. You can pay this at the Alksnyne or Nida checkpoints.

Further information can be found on the Visit Neringa website.

Luxembourg

You can use the Luxembourg highway and expressway network toll-free.

Malta

You do not need a vignette on Malta and there are no toll charges.

Macedonia

Macedonia also has a distance-based toll system. Payment is made directly at the toll stations. Most websites state that the fee must be paid in local currency (MKD), so we recommend that you do not rely on the fact that payment in euros is also possible.

The prices depend on the length of the route. The route from Skopje to Tetovo, for example, costs MKD 60 (1 euro) for cars with trailers and MKD 110 (2 euros) for motorhomes.

You can find all the information on the official homepage of the PESR, the “Public Enterprise for State Roads”.

Montenegro

According to the website of the Federal Foreign Office, after the abolition of the eco-vignette in Montenegro only for the Sozina tunnel (between Podgorica and Sutomore), for the road from Herceg Novi to Trebinje (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and for the car ferries (Bay of Kotor) Fees due. Smaller amounts may also be charged for driving on some national park roads.

However, the information available here is very thin and sometimes contradictory. So if you have any other insights, we would be very grateful if you could let us know at [email protected]!

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Special feature: “Green insurance card”

Although insurance has nothing to do with tolls and vignettes, it does have something to do with the travel budget. That’s why we’d like to give you a little tip along the way: Be sure to pack a “green insurance card” (internationally valid insurance document) for your vehicle. Otherwise you will have to take out additional insurance when crossing the border, which will only cost you unnecessary money.

Netherlands

In the Netherlands, tolls are charged for the Westerschelde Tunnel from Terneuzen to Ellewoutsdijk and for the Kil Tunnel from ‘s-Gravendeel to Dordrecht.

The Westerschelde Tunnel is divided into five vehicle categories and the fees can be paid in cash, by t-tag prepaid card (much cheaper!) or with a Visa credit card. The fee ranges from EUR 5 (cars and smaller motorhomes up to 6 m long and 3 m high) to EUR 18.20 (vehicles from 6 to 12 m long and over 3 m high).

The toll for the Kil Tunnel (2 euros for vehicles up to 2.30 m high and 5 euros for vehicles over 2.30 m high) is paid in cash or by Visa/Mastercard.

Norway

In Norway, the use of individual roads, tunnels, towns and bridges is subject to tolls. With the exception of the Atlanterhav Tunnel, billing is now fully automated. It makes sense to use the automatic payment system AutoPass automatic payment system. This toll box can also be used to pay the toll for many bridges in Sweden and Denmark.

Cash payment is not possible at the automatic toll stations. You can simply drive through the stations marked “Do not stop” (even without an AutoPass). The license plate number is recorded electronically and the fee can now either be paid at the nearest service station or – if this has not been done after three days – sent home as an invoice at no additional cost.
Tip: It is advisable to register your own vehicle with the Euro Parking Collection (EPC), which is responsible for billing foreign vehicles, before you start your journey. By registering, you have easy access to your invoices and a significantly faster processing time.

There are two different tariffs in Norway: Light vehicles (up to 3.5 tons) and heavy vehicles (over 3.5 tons). The charge for using the road sections is between 2 and 15 euros for light vehicles; heavy vehicles must expect higher prices.

Note: Due to the environmental law, driving in cities has become very expensive and parking is also costly. It is therefore better to leave the car outside and use public transport.

Since April 4, 2016, a new regulation for vehicle class “M1” (passenger transport up to 8 seats plus driver’s seat) has been in force, which affects most camping vehicles: Those who opt for toll payment via AutoPass chip only pay the car price, even if the vehicle exceeds 3.5 t!

If you want to find out more, you can find an overview of all toll roads here. overview of all toll roads and tariffs and the individual vehicle classes.

Austria

In Austria, tolls are charged for the use of most highways. Vehicles under 3.5 tons (including motorhomes) require a vignette. Trailers are not affected by the vignette requirement.

attention

Until now, the permissible total mass of motorhomes – known as the “maximum permissible gross weight” in Austria – was used to calculate the Austrian toll. In the past, a vignette was sufficient. From now on, however, it is the “technically permissible maximum mass” that counts – i.e. the maximum load that is technically permitted.

This means that many motorhomes and camper vans that are no longer used will now need a GoBox and will have to pay significantly more.

Who is affected? If you registered your motorhome before December 1, 2023 and reduced it to a maximum of 3.5 tons, everything will remain the same for you until the end of January 2029. Then you will also need the GO-Box. If you have registered your motorhome after this deadline , the new regulation applies immediately.

The new 1-day v ignette costs 8.60 euros, the 10-day vignette costs 11.50 euros, a 2-month vignette costs 28.90 euros and an annual vignette currently costs 96.40 euros. You can find out which routes are affected, how you can pay the fee and where the toll sticker has to be affixed on the vignette.at website.

Our tip: In addition to the adhesive vignette, there is also a digital version. This can be purchased in the ASFINAG webshop: store.asfinag.at, the daily vignette can be purchased from the ADAC.

Note: According to Austrian law, the 2-month and annual vignettes are only valid 18 days after the booking date if you buy them online. Entrepreneurs are exempt from this regulation. If you don’t want to wait 18 days, you can also buy the two digital vignettes on site at an ADAC office at an ADAC office. In this case, there is no legal blocking period as with an online purchase and the vignette is valid immediately.

On some routes, in addition to the vignette , a special toll is charged. special toll is charged.

For vehicles over 3.5 tons total weight, a kilometer-based toll system applies. The tariffs are based on the number of axles and pollutant emissions. Payment is made via the so-called Go-Box – this is available at one of the 180 stations in Austria and the border area and costs 5 euros. The box is attached to the inside of the windshield and automatically saves the distance driven and the respective toll charge. Depending on the vehicle category, costs of between 18 and 33 cents per kilometer are incurred. You can also find out about the charges for special toll routes on the page of the German Automobile Club for more information. There you will find a table listing the various tariffs.

Note: Since December 15, 2019, some sections of the freeway near the German border have been exempt from tolls for cars up to 3.5 t. This applies to the A1 Westautobahn between Walserberg and Salzburg-Nord, the A12 Inntalautobahn between the German border and Kufstein-Süd, the A14 between the German border and Hohenems and the A26 (Linzer Westring – still under construction), among others (as of December 2023)

Poland

Parts of the A1, A2 and A4 highways are subject to tolls in Poland. The toll is collected directly at the toll stations – in cash or by credit card. However, we recommend that you always have enough cash with you in case you are unable to pay by credit card. The amount of the costs depends on the route and the vehicle class. For example, you pay between 1.80 and 5.60 euros to travel from Katowice to Krakow on the A4. Click here for the price list.

Vehicles with a gross vehicle weight over 3.5 tons – including trailer combinations – cannot pay via this manual toll system. Since October 2021, they have been subject to the e-Toll system, which can be used via an app, among other things. The viaTOLL system that was valid up to this point has been discontinued.

Portugal

Most highways and expressways as well as some tunnels and bridges in Portugal are subject to tolls. There are two types of highways: those on which you pay the “classic” toll at the toll booth and those with electronic tolls. These routes are marked “Electronic toll only”. There are various payment methods here. Depending on how long you are traveling in Portugal, a different method of payment is recommended. You can find out more about the various electronic payment options here.

There are now many stretches of highway where only electronic billing methods are permitted. The ViaVerde toll box is particularly helpful for foreign visitors in this case.

The prices depend on the distance traveled and the type and size of the vehicle driven. Short routes such as from Lisbon to Estoril cost only 40 to 80 cents. For slightly longer routes, such as from Lisbon to Faro, you pay between 17 and 29 euros.

Please note: Various websites state that if you spend more than 12 hours between two toll stations (e.g. due to overnight stays), you may have to pay double the toll for the longest possible route.

Romania

In Romania, national roads and freeways are covered by the e-vignette . The vignette can be purchased for 7, 30, 90 days or for one year. It can be purchased online. Different fees apply depending on the vehicle class. A 7-day vignette costs EUR 3 for cars weighing less than 3.5 tons, EUR 16 for car-trailer combinations and buses weighing between 3.5 and 7.5 tons and EUR 28 for car-trailer combinations and buses weighing between 7.5 and 12 tons. Trailers and caravans do not require their own vignette.

The Vidin, Cernavodă and Giurgeni bridges are not covered by the e-vignette. separate fees between currently 13 and 53 lei (3 to 12 euros) (as of December 2023).

Sweden

The use of the Öresund Bridge which connects the Danish capital Copenhagen with Malmö in Sweden, is subject to a charge. Cars and motorhomes up to 6 meters pay around 60 euros in cash on site. Cars with trailers, motorhomes longer than 6 meters, vans and coaches up to 9 meters must expect prices of around 120 euros.

Bridge tolls are also payable in Motala and Sundsvall – you can check the current toll rates on the Swedish Transport Administration’s website.

In addition, in Stockholm (incl. The city center toll, known as the “city toll”, has also been levied on foreign visitors since January 1, 2016. It is due on weekdays between 6:00 and 18:29 and is intended to relieve inner-city traffic, especially at peak times. So if you don’t have to go into the city at rush hour, you can save a few crowns. Payment is made by invoice.

You can also find a very clear list of which fees apply at which times on the transport authority ‘s website.

Switzerland

In Switzerland, the highways and expressways are subject to tolls. A vignette is compulsory for vehicles up to 3.5 t (including trailers). There are only annual vignettes, which are always valid from December 1 of the previous year to January 31 of the following year. This vignette costs CHF 40 ( EUR 42.00 if purchased abroad) and is available at petrol stations, post offices, garages, TCS offices, the customs office or online available online.

New since August 2023: An electronic vignette has been introduced, which is used in parallel with the adhesive vignette and therefore does not replace it. The e-vignette can currently only be purchased from the Swiss Federal Office for Customs and Border Security can be obtained.

Please note: Trailers and caravans with a total weight of up to 3.5 t that are towed by a vehicle subject to vignette payment require their own vignette.

Camping vehicles weighing over 3.5 tons are subject to the “flat-rate heavy vehicle charge” (PSVA).

There are the following options for paying this fee:

• for 1 to 30 consecutive days
• for 10 freely selectable days within 1 year (please remember to validate or register before entering and then on each subsequent day!)
• for 1 to 11 consecutive months
• for 1 year

The fee is CHF 3.25 per day, CHF 58.50 per month or CHF 650 per year, with a minimum charge of CHF 25 per proof of payment. You will need this proof of payment to enter the country. You can pay the fee via your smartphone using this app.

Exception: If you own an oldie with over 3.5 t and an H or 07 license plate, you can drive through Switzerland toll-free thanks to “veteran status”!

In addition to the highways, the St. Bernhard Tunnel (for conventional camping vehicles the cost is 48.50 euros) and the Munt-la-Schera tunnel (for motorhomes and caravans 23 to 25 euros depending on the time of day) are subject to charges.

Serbia

In Serbia, highways and expressways are subject to tolls. There are two different payment options: Either you take a ticket at the start of the toll route and pay for it in cash (in Serbian dinars) at the end. It is also possible to purchase a transponder, which is attached to the inside of the windshield and paid automatically when passing a toll station.

The costs depend on the route and the (in this case somewhat complicated) allocation to the vehicle classes , which depends on the weight, height (measured above the front axle) and number of axles. For example, a car with a caravan or a motorhome up to 3.5 tons pays a fee of 3.50 euros for the Belgrade – Novi Sad route. For a camper with more than 3.5 t and up to 1.90 m in height, a fee of 6.50 euros is charged.

In addition to the toll for freeways and expressways, special tolls could be charged for bridges or tunnels.

On the website of the Serbian Road Administration you will find an overview of all toll routes as well as a toll calculator and a list of the individual tariffs for downloading.

Slovakia

The use of Slovakian freeways and expressways is subject to a vignette for vehicles up to 3.5 tons – motorhomes also require a vignette if their total weight is over 3.5 tons.

The electronic vignette has been available since January 2016. This can be purchased online at www.eznamka.sk, via the “eznamka” app, at almost all petrol stations and at self-service machines at the borders. A 10-day vignette costs 10 euros, a monthly vignette 14 euros. The annual vignette is available for 50 euros.

Trailers and semi-trailers with a total weight of up to 3.5 t (sum of the maximum permissible total weight of the towing vehicle and trailer) only require a vignette. If the maximum permissible total weight of the combination is higher than 3.5 t, an additional trailer vignette must be purchased for the trailer.

Vehicles with a gross vehicle weight over 3.5 tons (except motorhomes) must pay a distance-based toll using an electronic toll box.

Slovenia

A vignette is compulsory in Slovenia for two-lane vehicles up to 3.5 tons. These are divided into two classes:

• Class 2A: Height above the first axle < 1.30 m (also caravans with trailers) and motorhomes
• Class 2B: Height above the first axle > 1.30 m (with or without trailer) except motorhomes.

There are vignettes for 7 days (2A: 16 euros, 2B: 30 euros), one month (32 or 64 euros) and one year (117 or 235 euros).

Since the beginning of 2022, there has only been one electronic vignette. It is registered to the respective license plate and can be accessed via this page can be obtained from this page. The annual vignette is valid for 12 months from the desired date, for example from March 2, 2022 up to and including March 2, 2023.
Trailers and caravans towed by a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of up to and including 3.5 tons do not require an additional vignette.

The price of the vignette does not include the journey through the Karawanken tunnel. An extra fee will be charged for this.

Vehicles over 3.5 t have to pay a toll based on mileage and exhaust emissions. You need the so-called DarsGo, a transponder, to pay. You can get this online or at the DARS service stations. You also need the DarsGo if you drive a motorhome with over 3.5 t. All questions are answered on this page: DarsGo.

Since 2017, the toll-free and vignette-free alternative route for journeys via Trieste to Croatia (coastal road Koper – Izola) has been closed to through traffic. This means you have to take the toll road H6.

All information on vignettes and tolls can be found on the website of the Slovenian Transport Authority.

Spain

Many highways in Spain are subject to tolls. The toll sections are marked with an “AP” (Autopistas). Payment can be made either manually at the toll stations (in cash or by credit card) or automatically using the “VIA-T-Box”.

The toll is charged depending on the distance traveled and the vehicle category. For example, the route Barcelona – Zaragoza costs approximately between 30 and 66 euros.

An overview of all toll routes, including the current prices for downloading, is available on the autopistas.es website.

In the course of 2019, some of the previously chargeable freeways became free of charge, and more were added in 2021. They were in private hands for a certain period of time, but the licenses are now expiring. They therefore fall back into the public domain.

New toll-free routes in Spain

• AP-1 from Burgos to Armiñón (Álava)
• AP-4 from Seville to Cádiz
• AP-7 from Alicante to Tarragona
• AP-7 from Tarragona to La Jonquera
• AP-7 from Montmeló to El Papiol
• AP-2 from Zaragoza to Lleida
• C32 Barcelona – Lloret de Mar
• C33 Barcelona – Montmeló

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A new toll system is to be introduced from 2024, which will also apply to freeways that could previously be used free of charge. However, as of December 2023, this introduction has been postponed for the time being.

Special feature: Low emission zones in Barcelona and Madrid

Since December 2017, low emission zones have also been in force in the two major cities of Madrid and Barcelona. You can find all information on the current regulations here: Low emission zones in Spain – regulations and exceptions

Czech Republic

Vignette for vehicles up to 3.5 tons

The use of freeways and expressways in the Czech Republic is subject to a vignette for vehicles up to 3.5 tons. Motorcycles are exempt from this obligation. The vignettes are available at border stations, petrol stations and post offices in the border area.

The price of a vignette for 10 days is 310 CZK (approx. 12 euros), for one month 440 CZK (approx. 17 euros) and for one year 1500 CZK (approx. 56 euros).

The vignette consists of two parts: The larger part is to be attached to the lower right inside of the windshield, the small part is to be kept. Both parts are checked by the police and are only valid if the police registration number of the vehicle is entered on them.

It’s even easier in the Czech Republic with the e-vignette , which you can order online here.
Toll highways: Overview map

Toll for vehicles over 3.5 tons

For vehicles weighing over 3.5 tons, there is a distance-based toll that is billed electronically.

At the end of 2019, a new toll system was introduced for vehicles over 3.5 tons. The previous “Premid-Box” has been replaced by a satellite toll system. The cost of the new toll device is 2500,- Kč deposit (approx. 95,- Euro). It is available for a deposit at one of the relevant highways or larger filling stations . Click here for the list of sales outlets.

Two payment methods are possible: payment in advance and payment afterwards by invoice. The toll to be paid depends on the number of kilometers driven and the vehicle category, which is based on the number of axles and the emission class.

You can find more information about the Czech toll here: mytocz.eu

Turkey

There is a distance-based toll on Turkish highways and charges are also levied for some bridges and the Eurasia Tunnel. Payment is made either with a so-called OGS device or an HGS card. The OGS device is available for a deposit and can be topped up with any amount. If you drive through a toll station, the amount is charged automatically. The HGS card can also be topped up with any amount and read at the toll stations. Cash payment is not possible!

The prices depend on the route and the type of vehicle. A distinction is made between three categories:

• Category 1: Vehicles with an axle spacing of less than 3.25 m
• Category 2: Vehicles with max. 2 axles and a center distance of more than 3.25 m
• Category 3: Vehicles with 3 axles

For example, depending on the type of vehicle, you pay between 7.25 and 13 lira (approx. 1.90 to 3.40 euros) for the Edirne – Istanbul route and between 15 and 26.50 lira (approx. 3.90 to 6.80 euros) for the Istanbul – Ankara route. In addition, the three Bosphorus bridges in the direction of Asia are subject to tolls. Depending on the bridge and vehicle class, you pay between 4.75 and 49 lira (approx. 1.30 to 12.60 euros) for the crossing.

Further information can be found on the government website mfa.gov.tr – unfortunately, the Google translation here is in need of optimization, which makes research a bit tedious… 🙂

Hungary

Hungary has an e-vignette system. Many freeways, expressways and certain stretches of main roads are subject to tolls and may only be used with an e-vignette at . The e-vignette can be purchased online and is valid immediately if required.

Sending and sticking the vignette on the windshield is not necessary due to the electronic procedure. Depending on the type of vehicle, the vignette costs between 21 and 67 euros for 10 days , between 33 and 95 euros for a month and between 216 and 825 euros for a year .

Cyprus

You can use the road network in Cyprus without having to pay a toll.

Additional information: Tolls in Germany

The introduction of a car toll in Germany is not ready for decision for the time being following Austria’s appeal to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) with the support of the Netherlands. In June 2019, the court ruled that levying a toll in the form planned by the German government is not compatible with EU law.

attention

New from July 2024:

From July 2024, the HGV toll will apply to vehicles weighing 3.5 t or more. Vehicles that are clearly recognizable as motorhomes are generally exempt from the toll. This includes all vehicles that are permanently and permanently equipped with living facilities – including toilet, shower, beds, cooking facilities and living space. Even trucks with box bodies that have been subsequently converted into motorhomes fall under this regulation as long as they are used exclusively for the transportation of passengers and not for the transportation of goods.

For motorhomes with a loading area or transport trailers, the following applies: The living area must make up at least 50 percent of the usable area and the vehicle may only be used for private trips.

However, some vehicles based on truck or bus chassis could run into problems. These vehicles registered as motorhomes (M1 / SA) are not easily recognizable as motorhomes. Therefore, these could then be recorded as trucks by the toll stations. Re-registering the vehicle as “Other motorhome M1 SA” can help. Toll Collect also offers the option of registering the vehicle voluntarily.

Disclaimer

We have researched all information on the respective countries carefully and to the best of our knowledge and belief in official and other trustworthy sources. However, if we have made a mistake at any point or if you have any comments or questions about the toll and vignette regulations in Europe, we would be delighted to hear from you: [email protected].

As there are always changes to the tariffs and payment systems and the exchange rates are sometimes subject to strong fluctuations, we cannot accept any liability for the above prices and data. We ask you to check the countries relevant to you again before your vacation so that there are no unpleasant surprises at the end.

So, now you’ve finally done it and can start planning your vacation. We wish you a safe journey! 🙂

Cover photo: (c) CamperStyle