Tolls in Europe: Everything you need to know about tolls and vignettes

Is your next adventure a road trip through Europe or are you driving through a few countries on your way to your holiday? We have compiled an overview of all European countries that charge tolls or where you have to buy vignettes. This way, you'll be well prepared for your next journey and won't have any nasty surprises when you arrive if you're suddenly faced with high costs.

The levying of tolls or the vignette requirement in individual countries or on certain routes serves very different purposes. However, the primary purpose is to relieve congestion on busy routes** and to maintain sections of road, motorways, bridges or tunnels. In Norway, for example, tolls are charged to pay off the construction costs. As soon as this sum is reached, a particular route or tunnel is no longer subject to tolls.

With the distance-based toll, costs are incurred based on the length of the route. Depending on the distance you travel on certain routes, your toll charges will be higher or lower. These tolls are charged in a total of 16 European countries. The toll charge is usually levied when you drive onto or off the motorway at toll stations**; this varies from country to country. In some countries, there are fixed prices for certain routes or toll stations, which are charged when you pass the toll station - regardless of the length.

Special tolls are charged in some countries for certain road sections, tunnels, bridges or passes that you want to cross or drive through. The amount of the special toll can vary, ranging from €1.00 to around €50.00.

Special tolls in the Alpine region are often associated with tunnels and passes in Italy, France, Switzerland or Austria. Here, a special toll is also payable in addition to the vignette or the route-related toll charges. The most expensive toll in Europe is the Mont Blanc Tunnel at around €48.00.

The vignette, on the other hand, is time-bound. It is purchased for a specific period of time during which it is valid and must be clearly visibly affixed to the car. Vignettes are required in a total of eight European countries. You can find them in the table below.

In order to relieve large cities, some cities levy a city toll that must be paid in order to enter the city centre. These charges are either daily prices or can be charged several times a day when re-entering the city centre.

If you are not in a hurry, you can also simply drive round toll roads in some countries. Just bear in mind that you will often have to take a diversion and that this may result in higher petrol costs. On the other hand, the scenery in remote areas can be more attractive if the journey is the destination. You are sure to discover beautiful little places along the way or the odd landscape that you wouldn't have noticed at all if you were travelling on the motorway.

In some European countries, you can either buy transponders or obtain them free of charge at official locations. They are often pre-installed in hire cars. This way of paying tolls in Europe is particularly easy. Here the charges are collected electronically - so you don't have to pay at toll booths. This saves you time and avoids errors. Transponders can be purchased for Portugal, Spain or Greece, for example.

The toll charges and vignette prices listed here refer to driving through the country by car - usually under 3.5 tonnes. Larger, heavier and sometimes longer vehicles may incur higher costs. Find out about existing regulations in your destination country in advance. The fees may also depend on the current exchange rate and therefore differ from the prices stated here. For some countries, you will need e-vignettes, which must be purchased in advance and are valid for the corresponding date range. For some stretches of road, such as London, you need to register in advance. In any case, it is advisable to obtain detailed information in order to avoid any fines. These can be very high in some countries - up to €800 in Slovenia.

The toll charges in Europe listed here are usually given in a price range. There are often different prices for different routes within the country, as well as for the length of the route. Special tolls also vary in price.

Toll charges and vignette prices can vary greatly from country to country and serve different purposes. Find out about existing regulations before travelling to avoid high fines. This way you can start your next holiday relaxed and well prepared.