Exploring Europe by car is one of the most flexible and enjoyable ways to travel. You can stop in small villages, explore hidden landscapes, and design your own route at your own pace. But before hitting the road, it’s crucial to understand one important detail: how road tolls are charged in each country.
Some countries charge drivers at toll booths along the highway, while others use vignettes – prepaid stickers or digital permits valid for a certain period of time. To avoid fines and confusion, here’s a detailed guide to how tolls and vignettes work across Europe.
What is a vignette?
A vignette is a prepaid permit that allows you to use highways in certain countries. Depending on where you’re driving, you can buy a vignette for a few days, a week, a month, or a year. Vignettes can be:
- Physical stickers (placed on your windshield)
- Digital e-vignettes linked to your license plate
Failing to buy a vignette in countries where it is required can result in high fines, often issued immediately during roadside checks or via cameras.
Countries that use vignettes
If you’re traveling with a passenger car (up to 3.5 tons), you’ll need a vignette in the following countries:
- Austria – Available for 1 day, 10 days, 2 months, or 1 year. Digital vignettes are valid 18 days after online purchase (due to cancellation rights), but physical stickers are valid immediately. Tunnels such as Brenner, Tauern, and Karawanken require extra fees.
- Slovenia – Entirely digital; linked to your license plate. Prices depend on vehicle height (categories 2A and 2B). Separate payment applies for Karavanke tunnel.
- Slovakia – E-vignettes for 1 day, 10 days, 1 month, or 1 year.
- Czech Republic – Prices vary depending on fuel type (gasoline, CNG, hybrid, electric). Electric cars are exempt.
- Hungary – E-vignettes available for 1 day, 10 days, 1 month, or yearly (national or regional). Trucks use a separate HU-GO system.
- Romania – Electronic vignette called “Rovinieta,” available for 1 day to 1 year, depending on vehicle type.
- Bulgaria – Digital vignettes, from 1 week to 1 year.
- Switzerland – Annual vignette only (CHF 40). Additional tolls apply for certain tunnels (e.g., Great St. Bernard).
Countries with toll booths
Other European countries charge per distance traveled on highways, usually through toll booths or electronic toll systems:
- Croatia – Toll booths are currently in use, with payment by cash, card, or ENC device. However, from January 1, 2025, Croatia is switching to a fully electronic toll system (no physical booths).
- France – Toll booths (péages) across the motorway network. Also, “Crit’Air” eco-vignettes are required for low-emission zones in major cities.
- Italy – Pay per distance at toll stations. Payment can be made by cash, card, or Telepass.
- Spain – Combination of toll highways (peajes) and free roads.
- Portugal – Combination of toll booths and electronic systems (Via Verde).
- Greece – Tolls on highways and bridges, with options for electronic passes.
- Turkey – Uses an electronic HGS system (no physical booths for most highways).
- Serbia – Pay per use, but Croatian ENC devices are also compatible.
Countries without highway tolls
Some European countries do not charge tolls for passenger cars on highways:
- Germany (trucks pay, but cars are exempt)
- Belgium
- Netherlands (except a few tunnels)
- Luxembourg
- Finland
- Lithuania
- Latvia
- Albania
- Montenegro
Note: In Sweden, highways are free for cars, but congestion charges apply in Stockholm and Gothenburg, and certain bridges (Öresund, Sundsvall, Motala) have separate tolls.
Bridges, tunnels, and special tolls
Even in countries without vignettes, some bridges and tunnels require separate payments:
- Denmark – Tolls on Storebælt and Øresund bridges.
- Norway – Automatic toll collection (AutoPASS) for highways, bridges, and city entrances.
- Switzerland – Great St. Bernard Tunnel and Munt la Schera.
- Austria & Slovenia – Extra tolls for alpine tunnels and mountain passes.
Practical tips for drivers
- Buy online in advance – Most countries offer digital vignettes online, which saves time at the border.
- Check validity dates – Digital vignettes often activate later (e.g., Austria – 18 days after purchase). Stickers are valid immediately.
- Match your license plate – Digital vignettes are tied to your registration number. Mistakes can lead to fines.
- Keep receipts – In case of disputes, it’s useful proof of purchase.
- Plan your route – Sometimes it’s cheaper to take national roads instead of motorways.
Final thoughts
Driving through Europe gives you freedom and flexibility, but it also comes with the responsibility of knowing the local rules. Whether you need a vignette, pay at a toll booth, or cross a tolled bridge, being prepared helps you save money and avoid fines.
Before your trip, always check official websites or reliable sources like HAK’s toll and vignette overview for the latest updates.
That way, you’ll be free to enjoy the open road – and focus on what matters most: the journey.
