Road tolls in Europe for campers with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) above 3.5 tons are a hotly debated topic. Many myths have arisen around this topic, which I'm trying to debunk. I'll prove to you that sometimes you can travel cheaper with campers over 3.5 tons than with a camper under 3.5 tons.
As I drive a camper van with a GVM over 3.5 tons , I'll try to describe the road tolls in several European countries that are the most popular holiday destinations for Poles. I've driven in these countries myself or have verified that this is the case. I'll try to keep this article updated, so if you have any comments, verified and confirmed changes, or have information about a country not covered here, please send me an email .
I won't provide specific rates per kilometer driven, as many factors influence the rate in a given country, and prices themselves change frequently. The main factors influencing the price are the number of axles, emission class, altitude... so you'll find links to websites where you should find the most up-to-date information.
Campervan over 3.5t – what does it mean?
To be more specific, a campervan over 3.5 tonnes is a vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) exceeding 3,500 kg. Additionally, the vehicle's registration certificate lists it as a SPECIAL CAMPER VEHICLE.
Road tolls and toll collection systems for campers over 3.5 tonnes in some countries are different from those for heavy goods vehicles!
Do you need to use a tachograph when driving a camper with a GVM over 3.5t?
This question often arises when someone is considering purchasing a heavy camper. The answer is simple: NO. A tachograph is only mandatory for commercial transport of people or goods.
In 2023, amended regulations requiring the use of tachographs in vehicles with a GVM over 7.5 tonnes came into force across the European Union. The new regulations were originally introduced with professional transport in mind, but campers were not exempted—probably due to an oversight by the legislature. In practice, this means that owners of private recreational vehicles over 7.5 tonnes should record their driving on a tachograph, and police in EU countries have the right to fine drivers for driving "beyond the tachograph." While not every patrol enforces this policy, the risk is real. Manufacturers of large campers have already responded—a petition has been submitted to the European Parliament to clarify the regulations and exempt recreational vehicles from this requirement. Change is expected, but the legislative process may take time.
Road tolls in Poland for campers over 3.5 tonnes
Every camper with a GVM over 3.5t driving on most national roads and highways in Poland is subject to the e-Toll toll collection system.
Some motorways in Poland are excluded from the e-Toll system and in such cases the toll is paid at the ticket office at the motorway toll booths.
How much do roads and highways cost in Poland for a camper with a GVM over 3.5 tonnes?
Road tolls in Poland depend on the emission class, number of axles, and kilometers traveled. More information about rates can be found HERE.
How to register a camper with e-Toll?
All information can be found HERE
What are the alternative options for paying e-Toll in Poland?
You can use external payment operators such as:
I personally use the UTA operator. Specifically, their UTA One device, which allows me to make automatic payments in various European countries covered by the EETS system.
Road tolls in the Czech Republic for a camper over 3.5 tons
Every camper with a GVM over 3.5t driving on Czech motorways is subject to the Myto CZ electronic toll collection system.
How much do roads and highways cost in the Czech Republic for a camper with a GVM over 3.5 tonnes?
Road tolls in the Czech Republic depend on the emission class, number of axles, and kilometers traveled. More information about rates can be found HERE.
How to register a camper in the Myto CZ system?
You can register online at www.mytocz.eu or directly at a customer service point (located near the border), and prepay your account before traveling and pay a deposit for the device. All information on this can be found HERE .
What are the alternative options for paying road tolls in the Czech Republic?
If you have a fuel card, e.g. from the e100 operator, when collecting the Myto CZ device you can link your card to the device and not worry about having the appropriate funds in your Myto CZ account.
Road tolls in Slovakia for a camper over 3.5 tons
Every camper with a GVM over 3.5t driving on motorways in Slovakia is subject to the standard toll collection system, i.e. it is enough to buy a standard vignette as for a passenger car.
The condition for exemption from the electronic toll collection system for vehicles with a GVM above 3.5 t is to have an entry in the registration certificate in item J (Vehicle category) with the designation: M1, N1, N1G or M1G
Where to buy a vignette for a camper in Slovakia?
The road toll vignette in Slovakia is available in electronic form and can be purchased online at Wizax
Road tolls in Austria for a camper over 3.5 tons
Every camper with a GVM over 3.5t driving on motorways in Austria is subject to the Go-Maut electronic toll collection system managed by ASFiNAG.
How much do roads and highways cost in Austria for a camper with a GVM over 3.5 tonnes?
Road tolls in Austria depend on the emission class, number of axles, kilometers traveled, and specific road sections. More information on rates can be found HERE .
How to register a camper in the Go-Maut system?
You can pick up a toll collection device at one of our many customer service locations. Simply pay a deposit for the device and top up your prepaid account with any amount. You'll need your registration certificate.
Important note: a copy of the vehicle's approval certificate confirming the appropriate emission class must be sent to the email address provided on the invoice within 30 days of receiving the device. Failure to do so will result in a €200 fine.
All information on this topic can be found HERE
What are the alternative options for paying road tolls in Austria?
You can also use external payment operators and take advantage of the deferred payment option, such as:
Road tolls in Slovenia for a camper over 3.5 tons
Every camper with a GVM over 3.5t driving on Slovenian highways is subject to the electronic toll collection system in the DarsGo system.
How much do roads and highways in Slovenia cost for a camper with a GVM over 3.5 tonnes?
Road tolls in Slovenia depend on the emission class, number of axles and kilometers traveled.
How to register in the DarsGo system?
You can register via the website www.darsgo.si or directly at the customer service point (located at the border) and prepay your account before traveling and pay a deposit for the device.
If you have a fuel card, e.g. from the e100 operator, when picking up the DarsGo device you can link your card to the device and not worry about having the appropriate funds in your DarsGo account.
Road tolls in Germany for a camper over 3.5 tons
Any camper with a GVM not exceeding 7.5t driving on motorways in Germany is not subject to any tolls.
How much do roads and highways cost in Germany for a camper with a GVM over 3.5 tonnes?
Campers with a GVM below 7.5t are not subject to road tolls in Germany.
Road tolls in Croatia for a camper over 3.5 tons
Every camper with a GVM over 3.5t driving on Croatian highways is obliged to make payments at the toll booths at the highway toll booths.
How much do roads and highways cost in Croatia for a camper with a GVM over 3.5 tonnes?
Road tolls in Croatia depend on the number of wheels and axles.
Road tolls in Switzerland for a camper over 3.5 tons
Every camper with a GVM over 3.5t driving on Swiss roads is obliged to purchase an electronic vignette, different from the one for passenger cars.
How much do roads and highways cost in Switzerland for a camper with a GVM over 3.5 tonnes?
The cost of a vignette for campers with a GVM over 3.5 tons in Switzerland depends on the period covered. You can purchase it for a specific number of days (from-to), for one month (31 days), for a year (365 days), or for any 10 days to be used within the next 365 days. The latter option is ideal for those who only travel through Switzerland a few times a year.
How to purchase an e-vignette in Switzerland for a camper over 3.5 tonnes?
The easiest way to buy an e-vignette in Switzerland is via the website: https://via.nivel.bazg.admin.ch/shop/dashboard
Road tolls in Italy for a camper over 3.5 tons
Every camper with a GVM over 3.5t is subject to motorway tolls in Italy.
How much do roads and highways cost in Italy for a camper with a GVM over 3.5 tonnes?
Road tolls in Italy depend on the distance traveled and the number of kilometers. Additionally, the vehicle class, which includes the vehicle's height (measured from the ground to the highest point of the vehicle at the front axle) and the number of axles, is important.
More information about vehicle classes in Italy can be found HERE .
How to pay road tolls in Italy?
Tolls are paid at motorway toll booths or using an electronic toll-accelerating device (optional).
Electronic devices enabling automatic road tolls for vehicles with a GVM above 3.5 tonnes include:
Road tolls in France for a camper over 3.5 tons
Every camper with a GVM over 3.5t is subject to motorway tolls in France.
How much do roads and highways cost in France for a camper with a GVM over 3.5 tonnes?
Road tolls in France depend on the distance traveled and the number of kilometers. Additionally, the vehicle class, which includes GVM, vehicle height, and number of axles, is important.
More information about vehicle classes can be found on this website: https://www.autoroutes.fr/en/vehicle-classification.htm
How to pay road tolls in France?
Tolls are paid at motorway toll booths or using an electronic toll-accelerating device (optional).
Electronic devices enabling automatic road tolls for vehicles with a GVM above 3.5 t include:
Road tolls in Belgium for a camper over 3.5 tons
Camper vans with a GVM over 3.5 tonnes are exempt from paying fees that apply only to heavy goods vehicles.
How much do roads and highways cost in Belgium for a camper with a GVM over 3.5 tonnes?
Campervans with a GVM over 3.5 tonnes are exempt from road tolls in Belgium. More information on the exemption for these vehicles can be found on this website: https://www.viapass.be/en/downloads/exemptions-clarified/
What are the road tolls in Hungary? for a camper over 3.5 tons
Every camper with a GVM over 3.5t driving on Hungarian highways is obliged to purchase an E-Vignette at https://nemzetiutdij.hu/pl
This system allows for electronic settlement of road tolls. The toll amount depends on the duration of the trip and the vehicle category. A vignette can be purchased for 10 days, 1 month, 1 year (the entire country), or 1 year (a selected region).
Road tolls in Lithuania for a camper over 3.5 tons
According to the tariff information available at https://lakd.lt/en/user-charge-vignettes/, only trucks transporting goods (vehicle categories N1-N3) and 9+-capacity vans (vehicle categories M2-M3) are subject to road vignettes in Lithuania. Therefore, all M1-rated campers (including Morelo campers for rent ) regardless of tonnage are exempt from tolls, just like passenger cars.
Road tolls in Latvia for a camper over 3.5 tons
According to the price list available at https://www.lvvignette.eu/tariffs , every vehicle over 3,000 kg is required to purchase a vignette. The determining factors for the vignette amount are the vehicle's GVM, emission class, and the vignette's validity period. Therefore, all campers with a GVM over 3.5 tons are required to purchase a vignette in Latvia.
What are the road tolls in Estonia? for a camper over 3.5 tons
According to the price list available at https://teetasu.ee/rates , every vehicle over 3,500 kg is required to purchase a vignette. The determining factors for the vignette amount are the vehicle's GVM, emission class, and the vignette's validity period. Therefore, all campers with a GVM over 3.5 tons driving on Estonian roads are required to purchase a vignette.
Campervan over 3.5t – CampRest tests
Below you can see some videos from my tests of campers with a GVW over 3.5 tons.
Carthago Chic E-Line 61XL camper test
A nice 3-axle camper built on a Mercedes chassis, which we tested from Trans-Al Rentals from Skawina during a winter trip to Caravan Park Sexten .
Morelo Loft 82LB BAR camper test
A fantastic camper that we took for a short test from the Morelo rental company in Skawina .
Frankia F-Line 890 QDB camper test
We traveled around various European countries in this camper for 6 months.
Concorde Carver 790L camper test
We drove the camper in Spain, France and Germany.
Niesman & Bischoff Arto 77e camper test
We drove the camper in Spain, Portugal, France, Germany and the Czech Republic.
Frankia Platin 7900GD camper test
We drove the camper in Germany, Austria and Italy.
Rapido Distinction i190 camper test
We drove around Poland in a campervan.
The main driver, founder and the brain of CampRest. He is the one who runs the whole mechanism, implements new ideas faster than he is able to invent them. He used to be a professional driver and have run his own freight forward company - as you can see, he has always been drawn to sleep in the car;) He likes to drive large motorhomes and encourages you to get a C driving license and buy motorhomes over 3.5 tons.
