The need to pay road tolls is an obligation for drivers in many European countries. We may soon also have to pay for driving on roads in Germany.
In many European countries, driving on selected roads requires purchasing a vignette and sticking it to the inside of the windshield. Some use electronic vignettes or - as in Poland - the fee is paid at motorway toll gates.
Road tolls in Austria
In Austria, tourists traveling by car (with or without a trailer) most often choose a 10-day vignette, which costs EUR 8.70. If you intend to stay in Austria longer, it may be worth purchasing a 2-month vignette for EUR 25.00. The annual vignette costs EUR 84.40. Vignettes are mandatory on motorways and expressways. Additional fees are charged for driving through selected tunnels and high-mountain roads.
Road tolls in the Czech Republic
Vignettes in the Czech Republic are valid on motorways and expressways. A 10-day vignette costs CZK 310, a 1-month vignette - CZK 440, and an annual one - CZK 1,500. Please remember to mark the current date on the vignette before sticking it on. The vignette consists of two parts - one is stuck on the windshield and the other is kept in case of a road inspection.
Check road tolls in the Czech Republic
Vignettes in Slovakia
Vignettes are also valid in Slovakia . They cost 10 euros for 10 days, 14 euros for 30 days and 110 euros for 1 year. But beware! If you are traveling with a group of vehicles whose total GVM exceeds 3.5t, you need a second vignette - for the trailer (at the same price as for the car). In the case of a camper with a permissible total weight of up to 3.5 tons, one vignette for a passenger car is enough.
From January 1, 2016 , Slovakia introduced an electronic toll collection system.
Toll highways in Hungary
In Hungary, there is a motorway toll which must be paid by purchasing an e-vignette. Instead of a sticker, we will receive a computer printout with a sales number. Keep this printout in case of a roadside inspection. A 10-day vignette for a car up to 3.5 tons costs 2,975 forints (approx. PLN 40). The monthly fee is 4,780 forints (approx. PLN 70) and the annual fee is 42,980 forints. It is worth mentioning that buses and campers over 3.5 tons are subject to the HU-GO toll collection system.
Fees in other countries
Vignettes are also valid in Bulgaria, Romania, Slovenia, Switzerland, Turkey and Moldova . An interesting system operates in Norway - it requires the driver to register a credit card (e.g. online), which will be charged for journeys. Payments can also be made at petrol stations and, in some cases, at toll collection points (where the electronic system has not been introduced).
In most other European countries, journeys for vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes are either free or paid for before entering a given section of motorway. Some countries require tolls to travel through tunnels or bridges. We describe more information about each country in the road traffic regulations in Europe section.
Until now, traveling by car in Germany was completely free. This may change, however. The weekly "Der Spiegel" recently reported that German parliamentarians are working on creating a law aimed at introducing a system of fees for using highways. According to initial ideas, the fees were to apply only to foreign drivers. However, such a solution could be inconsistent with EU regulations that prohibit discrimination against residents of other Community countries. A legal solution may be to introduce fees for all drivers, but with the proviso that people who pay road tax (i.e. registered in Germany) will be exempt from this fee. The last plan is to introduce vignettes for everyone, but this idea is highly opposed by the Germans themselves, who have an exceptionally well-developed highway network, and the introduction of vignettes would affect almost every household.
However, it can be expected that sooner or later Germany will also join the countries that charge tolls for using highways.
Sometimes it is better to get lost than to ask for directions too much. Aldous Huxley
