HGV Tolls and Vignettes in Europe: A Country-by-Country Guide for Truck Drivers

Truck tolls in Europe are not simple. Every country has its own system, its own rates, and its own penalties. This guide cuts through the confusion. It covers the main distance-based toll systems, where vignettes still apply, how CO2 emission classes changed rates since 2024, and what a Rotterdam-Warsaw or Hamburg-Milan run actually costs in tolls.

Distance-Based Toll Systems: Country by Country

Distance-based systems charge you per kilometre driven on tolled roads. You need a registered account or a physical device in the cab before you cross the border — not after.

Germany (Maut)

The HGV toll Germany system, run by Toll Collect, covers almost all federal motorways (Autobahn) and many federal roads (Bundesstraßen) for vehicles over 7.5 tonnes GVW. Since July 2024, CO2 emission class has been added to the rate calculation. A Euro VI truck in CO2 class 1 pays less than a Euro V or older truck. Typical rates in 2024-2025 range from roughly €0.17 to over €0.35 per kilometre depending on axles, emission class and infrastructure component. Register via Toll Collect online or use an EETS provider. The OBU (On-Board Unit) must be set correctly — wrong axle count is treated the same as non-payment.

Austria (GO-Box)

Austria uses the GO-Box for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes on motorways and expressways. You buy or borrow a GO-Box at a service station or ASFINAG point near the border. Set your axle count before entry. Rates vary by axles and EURO class. A 5-axle Euro VI combination pays roughly €0.20-0.28 per km. Tunnels like the Brenner have separate surcharges. If you run Austria regularly, register an account — post-pay is easier than cash top-up.

Czech Republic and Slovakia

Both countries use electronic distance-based tolls on motorways and selected roads for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes. In the Czech Republic, the system is operated by CzechToll. Slovakia uses a similar microwave/GNSS system. Rates are lower than Germany or Austria — roughly €0.10-0.18 per km depending on vehicle category — but penalties for non-payment are severe. Always register before entry or use an EETS box that covers both countries.

Poland (e-TOLL)

Poland replaced the old viaTOLL system with e-TOLL, a GNSS-based system. It covers motorways, expressways and selected national roads for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes. You can use the e-TOLL app on a smartphone or an OBU. Many drivers use an EETS provider to handle Poland alongside Germany and other countries in one account. Rates are moderate — around €0.09-0.15 per km on most sections.

Hungary (HU-GO)

Hungary uses a GNSS-based system called HU-GO for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes on motorways and main roads. You declare your route or use a registered OBU. HU-GO can be managed online or via app. Rates are among the lower ones in Central Europe. Note that Hungary also has a vignette system for lighter vehicles — as an HGV driver, you use HU-GO, not the vignette.

France, Italy, Spain — Motorway Concessions

These three countries still use traditional toll plazas operated by private concessionaires. You pay per section at barriers or via a transponder (télépéage in France, Telepass in Italy). Telepass is widely accepted across France, Italy, Spain and Portugal. A transponder from one of these providers works at most barriers in all three countries. Rates vary enormously by route. On a Hamburg-Milan run, the Italian motorway section alone (say, Brenner to Milan) can cost €35-55 for a standard 5-axle combination depending on which concession and time of day.

Vignettes: Where They Still Apply for HGVs

Most Western European countries have moved away from vignettes for HGVs. However, some smaller networks still use them.

• Switzerland: The Swiss motorway vignette covers cars and vans up to 3.5 tonnes. HGVs over 3.5 tonnes pay the LSVA (performance-related heavy vehicle charge) instead — a distance-based levy collected electronically. Rates are significant: a Euro VI truck pays roughly CHF 2.28 per km. Budget carefully for Swiss transits.
• Belgium: Belgium uses a distance-based Eurovignette for HGVs, managed via Viapass. It replaced the paper Eurovignette. You need an OBU or use an EETS provider.
• Netherlands and Luxembourg: These countries participate in the Eurovignette scheme but the charge is collected through registered accounts, not a paper sticker.
• Bulgaria, Romania: Both use a vignette system for HGVs (e-vignette). Buy online before entry or at border stations. Romania also charges distance-based tolls on motorways separately from the vignette.

CO2 Toll Classes Since 2024

Germany led the way in 2024 by adding a CO2 surcharge to Maut rates. The principle is straightforward: cleaner trucks pay less. The EU's revised Eurovignette Directive pushed member states in this direction. In practice, this means:

• Euro VI trucks with verified low CO2 output (CO2 class 1, certified under EU regulation) get a discount.
• Older Euro V and below trucks pay a higher rate — in Germany, a significant surcharge of around €0.20 per km extra compared to the cleanest class.
• Zero-emission trucks (battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell) are exempt from the CO2 component in Germany until at least 2026.

If you drive a newer Euro VI truck and have not yet registered your CO2 class with Toll Collect, do it now. You may be paying the higher default rate unnecessarily.

EETS: One Box for Many Countries

The European Electronic Toll Service (EETS) allows a single toll box to work across multiple countries. Instead of carrying a GO-Box for Austria, an OBU for Germany and a separate device for Belgium, you use one EETS-certified OBU from a registered provider. Providers certified for EETS include several large fuel card and fleet management companies. Check that your chosen provider covers all the countries on your regular routes — not all EETS providers cover all systems yet. The toll box EETS approach saves cab clutter and simplifies invoicing, which matters for owner-operators doing their own bookkeeping.

Typical Toll Costs: Two Real-World Runs

These are estimates for a typical 5-axle Euro VI combination in 2024-2025. Actual costs depend on exact route, CO2 class, axle count and any tunnel surcharges. Use them for planning, not invoicing.

Penalties for Non-Payment

Do not gamble with toll evasion. Enforcement has tightened across Europe. Typical fine ranges:

• Germany: €200-400 for missing or incorrectly set OBU. Vehicles can be stopped and impounded.
• Austria: €300-3,000 for GO-Box violations. Roadside enforcement is frequent near the Brenner.
• Poland: Fines for e-TOLL non-compliance can reach PLN 1,500 (roughly €350) per offence.
• France/Italy/Spain: Unpaid toll barriers trigger camera enforcement. Rental and fleet companies receive invoices with added admin fees. For owner-operators, debt collection can follow you home.

All figures are approximate and subject to change. Check official sources before each trip if you are unsure.

Tips for Owner-Operators to Reduce Toll Costs

1. Register your CO2 class properly. In Germany especially, this can save €0.10-0.20 per km immediately.
2. Use an EETS provider. Single invoice, one account, less admin. Compare providers on which countries they cover and their service fees.
3. Plan routes to avoid unnecessary tolled sections. On a run from Duisburg to Warsaw, leaving at 14:00 with 4.5 hours of drive time left, you might plan your overnight stop just inside Poland to minimise German Maut on that day's driving. Small decisions add up over a month.
4. Check parking near toll-heavy corridors the night before. The BusTruckPark app shows truck-safe parking along major European corridors, which helps you plan rest stops without backtracking onto tolled roads unnecessarily.
5. Verify axle count settings before every trip. A lifted axle that is not declared correctly is a fine waiting to happen.
6. Keep receipts and OBU records. In case of a disputed toll charge or a roadside check, documentation saves time and money.

FAQ

Do I need a separate device for every country?

Not if you use a certified EETS toll box provider. One OBU can cover Germany, Austria, Belgium, Poland and more. Check your provider's country coverage list carefully — gaps exist.

What is the Eurovignette and do I still need it?

The Eurovignette was a time-based charge shared between Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Denmark and Sweden. Most of these countries have moved to distance-based systems for HGVs. Belgium now uses a distance-based charge via Viapass. Check current requirements for each country before your trip — the scheme has evolved significantly.

How do CO2 toll classes work in practice?

In Germany, your truck's CO2 class is determined by its certified fuel consumption data under EU Regulation 2019/1242. Class 1 is the cleanest. You register this class with Toll Collect. If your truck qualifies but is not registered, you pay the default higher rate. Contact your OEM or fleet manager to get the correct class documentation.

What happens if my OBU fails mid-journey?

In Germany, report the fault to Toll Collect immediately and keep a record of the call or message. Some countries allow a grace period for technical failures if you can prove the device was registered and working. In countries with barrier tolls like France and Italy, use the staffed lane and explain the issue. Never just drive through a barrier — that is treated as deliberate evasion.