Driving across Europe in 2025 means navigating a patchwork of toll roads, vignettes, and electronic tags. Every country has its own rules, rates, and enforcement systems—and they change frequently. Whether you’re on a weekend city break, a multi-border road trip, or a cross-continent journey, knowing the right system ahead of time saves time, money, and hassles.
This guide distills the latest toll and vignette requirements for cars and passenger vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes, arranged by country. We also include payment options, useful tips, and warnings for avoiding fines.
1. Types of Toll/Vignette Systems in Europe
Before diving country by country, here’s a quick primer on the systems you’ll most often see:
- Vignettes: Time-based passes (daily, weekly, monthly, annual) valid across a network.
- Distance-based tolls: You pay per stretch or per kilometer, typically at toll plazas or via automated systems.
- Electronic tags / OBUs: Devices or transponders (e.g. Telepass, ENC, HGS) that let you pass without stopping.
- Mixed systems: Some countries combine types—e.g. a vignette plus extra tolls on special routes or tunnels.
Because each country controls its own roads, there’s no single “Europe toll card.” But this guide will help you plan
Country-by-Country Toll & Vignette Rules (2025)
European Toll Systems & Vignettes 2025 – Comparison Table
| Country | System Type | Cars ≤ 3.5 t | Typical Prices (2025) | Payment Options | Notes / Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | Limited tolls | Booth payments | Varies by section | Cash / Card | Info sparse; confirm locally |
| Austria | Vignette + extra tolls | Mandatory vignette | €9.30 (1-day), €12.40 (10-day), €31.10 (2-month), €103.80 (annual) | Online, border shops, petrol stations | Buy before entering motorways |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | Route-based tolls | Pay at plazas | Distance-based | Cash (BAM/EUR), cards | Keep small change, euros accepted but change in BAM |
| Bulgaria | E-vignette (BG TOLL) | Mandatory | BGN 15 (week, ~€7.70), BGN 30 (month, ~€15.40), BGN 97 (year, ~€49.60) | Online, apps, outlets | Buy online to avoid fines |
| Croatia | Distance tolls | Yes | ~€8/100 km (Zagreb–Split: €26.40) | Cash, card, ENC tag | ENC saves money on long trips |
| Czech Republic | E-vignette (eDalnice) | Mandatory | €7.60–€55 depending on validity | Online, border, petrol | Linked to licence plate |
| France | Distance tolls | Yes | ~€0.11/km (Paris–Lyon: ~€31.70) | Cash, card, Télépéage badge | Free-flow expanding; pay online if required |
| Germany | Mostly toll-free for cars | No vignette needed | Free (cars); trucks tolled | Special tunnels/bridges | LEZ stickers needed in cities |
| Greece | Distance tolls + flat fees | Yes | Athens–Thessaloniki: €33.55 | Cash, card, e-tags | Multiple operators, improving interoperability |
| Hungary | E-vignette (cars) | Mandatory | €8–€58 (daily to annual) | Online, border kiosks | HU-GO for trucks |
| Italy | Distance tolls | Yes | ~€9/100 km (Milan–Rome: €44.40) | Cash, card, Telepass | Rentals may add Telepass admin fees |
| Montenegro | Route-based tolls | Pay at booths | Varies | Cash, card | EUR accepted widely |
| North Macedonia | Toll booths | Yes | Route-dependent | Cash (MKD/EUR), cards | Save receipts |
| Poland | Mixed (manual/e-TOLL) | Some tolled roads | Route-dependent | Booths, petrol stations, apps | Trucks must use e-TOLL |
| Romania | E-vignette (Rovinieta) | Mandatory | €3 (7-day), €7 (30-day), €13 (90-day), €28 (annual) | Online, SMS, outlets | Fines are very high |
| Serbia | Distance tolls | Yes | Varies by route | Cash (RSD/EUR), cards, ETC | ETC users get discounts |
| Slovakia | E-vignette (eZnamka) | Mandatory | €8.10 (1-day), €16.50 (10-day), €50 (30-day), €65 (annual) | Online, border shops | Check eznamka.sk for updates |
| Slovenia | E-vignette (cars) | Mandatory | €16 (7-day), €32 (monthly) | Online, vendors | ANPR checks plates |
| Switzerland | Annual vignette | Mandatory | CHF 40 (~€43) annual only | Online, petrol stations, border | Valid 14 months |
| Turkey | HGS RFID system | Mandatory | Route-based (varies) | PTT, petrol stations, banks | Heavy fines for missed payments |
Albania
- System: Limited toll network; some tolled bridges/motorways.
- Payment: Cash/card at booths (check locally).
- Tip: Information can be inconsistent — confirm before departure.
Austria
- System: Vignette (≤3.5 t), GO-Box for heavy vehicles, extra tunnel/alpine tolls.
- Payment: Digital vignette via ASFINAG, border shops, or petrol stations.
- Costs (2025): €9.30 (1-day), €12.40 (10-day), €31.10 (2-month), €103.80 (annual).
- Tip: Always buy before entering motorways — ANPR cameras enforce strictly.
Bosnia & Herzegovina
- System: Route-based toll plazas.
- Payment: Cash (BAM/EUR), some cards accepted.
- Tip: Keep small euro notes/coins; change often given in local currency.
Bulgaria
- System: BG TOLL e-vignette (cars); distance toll (trucks).
- Payment: Online, app, or petrol stations.
- Costs (2025): BGN 15/week (
€7.70), BGN 30/month (€15.40), BGN 97/year (~€49.60).
Croatia
- System: Distance-based motorway tolls, ENC tag for discounts.
- Payment: Cash/card at gates or via ENC electronic tag.
- Costs: ≈ €8/100 km; Zagreb–Split ~€26.40.
- Tip: Frequent drivers save with ENC.
Czech Republic
- System: E-vignette (eDalnice).
- Payment: Online or petrol stations.
- Costs (2025): €7.60–€55 depending on duration.
- Tip: Buy online in advance; no stickers needed.
France
- System: Distance-based autoroute tolls; expanding free-flow tolling.
- Payment: Cash, card, or Télépéage badge (interoperable across many motorways).
- Costs: ~€0.11/km (example: Paris–Lyon ~€31.70).
- Tip: Get a Télépéage badge if you drive in France often.
Germany
- System: Cars drive toll-free; trucks (LKW-Maut) pay per km.
- Payment: Cars pay only for some tunnels/bridges.
- Tip: No vignette needed for cars — but cities may require low emission zone stickers.
Greece
- System: Distance-based motorway tolls + urban flat fees.
- Payment: Cash/card at booths or e-tag subscriptions.
- Costs: Athens–Thessaloniki €33.55; Athens–Patras €13.20.
Hungary
- System: E-vignette for cars; HU-GO for trucks.
- Payment: Buy online or border kiosks.
- Costs: €8–€58 depending on duration.
- Tip: Fines are automatic and high if you skip.
Italy
- System: Distance-based Autostrade tolls; Telepass RFID.
- Payment: Cash, card, Telepass.
- Costs: ~€9/100 km; Milan–Rome €44.40.
- Tip: Rental cars with Telepass often come with extra admin fees.
Montenegro
- System: Toll plazas on new motorway sections.
- Payment: Cash/card (EUR accepted).
- Tip: Keep coins for short stretches.
North Macedonia
- System: Route-based toll booths.
- Payment: Cash (MKD/EUR) or card.
- Tip: Save receipts; sometimes required.
Poland
- System: e-TOLL (trucks); mixed manual/electronic for cars.
- Payment: Booths, petrol stations, apps.
- Tip: Use ORLEN/LOTOS stations for car toll payments.
Romania
- System: Rovinieta e-vignette (mandatory on national roads).
- Payment: Online, SMS, petrol stations.
- Costs (2025): €3 (7-day), €7 (30-day), €13 (90-day), €28 (annual).
Serbia
- System: Distance-based tolls + ETC electronic discounts.
- Payment: Cash (RSD/EUR), card, or ETC OBU.
- Tip: Electronic ETC lanes save time and money.
Slovakia
- System: E-vignette (eZnamka).
- Payment: Online or border kiosks.
- Costs (2025): €8.10 (1-day), €16.50 (10-day), €50 (30-day), €65 (annual).
Slovenia
- System: E-vignette for cars; DARSGo OBU for trucks.
- Payment: Online, official vendors.
- Costs (2025): €16 (7-day), €32 (monthly).
Switzerland
- System: Annual vignette only.
- Payment: CHF 40 (~€43), valid 14 months.
- Tip: Buy before entering — no short-term options.
Turkey
- System: HGS RFID for all tolls; OGS phased out.
- Payment: Purchase HGS sticker/transponder at PTT, petrol stations, or banks.
- Tip: Pay quickly if you drive without HGS — fines multiply fast.
Practical Tips for Driving in Europe (2025)
- Always buy vignettes before entering motorways (Austria, Slovenia, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary).
- Electronic tags save time in Italy, France, Croatia, Serbia, Greece, and Turkey.
- Rental cars: Check the company’s toll policy — admin fees can add up.
- Carry cash: Outside the eurozone, tolls may accept euros but give change in local currency.
- Enforcement is strict: ANPR cameras catch unpaid tolls; fines can be hundreds of euros.
- Free alternatives: Smaller national roads exist but are slower and less direct.
FAQs
1. What’s the difference between a vignette and a toll?
A vignette is a time-based permit (e.g., 7 days, 1 month) valid across a network, while tolls are distance-based charges per motorway section, bridge, or tunnel.
2. Can I pay tolls in euros everywhere?
Not always. Non-euro countries (Bosnia, North Macedonia, Turkey) may accept euros, but change is usually in local currency.
3. Are there electronic tags valid across borders?
Yes, but only partially. Télépéage (France), Telepass (Italy), ENC (Croatia) work in limited cross-border areas. Rental car providers often add fees for their use.
4. Do I need a vignette before entering the country?
Yes. Buy in advance online or at borders — fines apply instantly if you drive without one.
5. Are European tolls enforced on foreign cars?
Yes. Automatic plate recognition ensures fines follow foreign drivers, often via rental companies or debt collection.
Final Thoughts & Checklist
Driving in Europe in 2025 is more convenient and digital than ever—but more fragmented in toll systems. Some countries stick to simple annual vignettes, others use distance-based systems, and many now lean heavily on electronic payment and enforcement.
Before your trip, follow these steps:
- Map your route and list which countries you’ll cross
- Check each country’s official toll/vignette website
- Purchase digital vignettes or tags in advance where possible
- Know your rental car’s toll/tag policy
- Keep local cash handy for non-euro countries
- Monitor your travel and avoid last-minute surprises
With the right planning, you can cruise past toll booths, avoid fines, and enjoy smoother driving from Lisbon to Athens, Munich to Dubrovnik, or beyond. Safe travels.