Tolls and vignettes in Europe: a country-by-country guide
European countries charge for their roads in three ways: a vignette bought up front (Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia), distance tolls paid at barriers or by camera (France, Italy, Spain in part, Portugal, Greece, Croatia), or free for cars (Germany, Cyprus). With a rental car, an all-inclusive rate covers your insurance and excess - tolls and vignettes are always paid separately by the driver.
1. Vignette countries (buy before you drive)
A vignette is a time-based road pass - a windscreen sticker or, increasingly, an e-vignette linked to your number plate. You buy it before using the motorways; driving without one is fined. For a typical European trip these are the three to know:
| Country | What you need | 2026 prices (cars ≤ 3.5 t) |
|---|---|---|
| Austria | Digital or sticker vignette (motorways & expressways) | 1-day €9.60 · 10-day €12.80 · 2-month €32.00 · year €106.80 |
| Switzerland | Annual vignette only - no short-term option; e-vignette by number plate | CHF 40 (valid Dec 2025–Jan 2027) |
| Slovenia | E-vignette (e-vinjeta) linked to the plate | 7-day €16.00 · 1-month €32.00 · year €117.50 |
Vignette prices are set annually and can change; the figures above were checked in June 2026. Switzerland’s charge is in francs (CHF 40 ≈ €43).
2. Distance-toll countries (pay as you go)
Here you pay for the distance driven, either at a barrier (take a ticket, pay on exit) or - increasingly - by camera. There is no sticker to buy in advance, but keep a payment card handy.
- France: Most autoroutes are tolled. Take a ticket on entry and pay on exit by card at the barrier.
- Italy: Most autostrade are tolled. Ticket on entry, pay on exit (card or cash). ZTL city zones are a separate fine, not a toll.
- Spain: Most motorways (autovías) are free; some faster AP autopistas are tolled and paid at the barrier.
- Portugal: Distance tolls, and several motorways are electronic-only (no booths) - ask your rental supplier for a toll device (Via Verde) to avoid fines.
- Greece: Mainland motorways are tolled at manned booths - keep a card or cash handy.
- Croatia: The A-motorways are tolled by ticket and barrier; the country now uses the euro.
3. Free for cars
- Germany: No toll for passenger cars on the Autobahn (the planned car toll was scrapped). Trucks pay; cars do not.
- Cyprus: No road tolls at all, and distances are short.
How tolls work with a rental car
An all-inclusive Cardamar booking, handled by Sunny Cars, folds full insurance, zero excess, unlimited mileage and airport fees into one price. Tolls and vignettes sit outside that - they are road charges every driver pays, whatever the rental. Two practical rules cover almost every trip:
- If you cross a border into a vignette country (Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia), buy your vignette before you enter. A car rented inside that country usually already has one.
- In Portugal, ask the supplier for an electronic toll device so the camera tolls are billed to your booking instead of becoming a fine.
Tolls & vignettes in Europe - FAQ
Does my all-inclusive rental price include tolls and vignettes?
No. An all-inclusive rate covers insurance, zero excess, unlimited mileage and airport fees - but tolls and vignettes are road charges, always paid by the driver. Budget for them separately.
A car rented in one country - does it already have a vignette?
A car rented inside a vignette country (e.g. picked up in Austria) usually already carries a valid vignette. But if you rent in Germany and drive into Austria, Switzerland or Slovenia, you must buy your own before you cross the border - driving without one is fined.
Which countries use a vignette instead of distance tolls?
For a typical European trip the vignette countries are Austria, Switzerland and Slovenia. You buy a time-based sticker or e-vignette up front. France, Italy, Spain (partly), Portugal, Greece and Croatia instead charge by distance at barriers or cameras.
How do Portugal’s electronic tolls work?
Several Portuguese motorways (including the Algarve’s A22) have no booths - cameras read your plate. Ask the rental supplier for an electronic toll device so charges are billed to your booking, otherwise you risk fines weeks after the trip.
Is there still no car toll in Germany?
Correct. Passenger cars drive the German Autobahn toll-free; the proposed car toll was ruled unlawful and never came into force. Only trucks and buses pay.