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Which European countries require a vignette for cars?
For a carefree car holiday, it’s important to know which European countries require a vignette for cars. Nine countries operate this system for the use of their motorways. Good preparation prevents hefty fines and unnecessary stress on the road. Read on and discover exactly what you need to consider for your next road trip.
\n\nWhat is a toll vignette?
\n \nA vignette is proof that you have paid a toll for the use of motorways and certain other roads in a country. Previously, this was always a sticker you affixed to your car’s windscreen, but nowadays more and more countries are switching to a digital vignette. This e-vignette is linked to your vehicle registration number. So you no longer need to affix or remove a sticker. Control is carried out automatically via cameras that scan your registration number.
\n\n\n\n‘ From 1 February 2027, only the digital vignette will be valid. ’
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Overview of countries with a vignette requirement
\n \nIn Europe, there are nine countries where you need a vignette for passenger cars (up to 3,500 kg). Other countries, such as France, Italy, and Spain, levy tolls via toll booths along the route, but do not have a general vignette requirement. The vignette requirement applies in the following countries:
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- Austria \n\n \n
- Switzerland \n\n \n
- Czechia \n\n \n
- Slovakia \n\n \n
- Slovenia \n\n \n
- Hungary \n\n \n
- Romania \n\n \n
- Bulgaria \n\n \n
- Moldova \n\n
Austria: transition to digital
\n\n\nAustria is a well-known vignette country for many travellers heading to Southern Europe. Until recently, the adhesive sticker was the norm, but the country is in the process of fully switching to a digital system. A physical vignette is still available for purchase until the end of 2026. From 1 February 2027, only the digital vignette will be valid. For vehicles heavier than 3,500 kg, such as large motorhomes, you need a special toll box, the GO-Box.
\n\n\n\nSwitzerland: one annual vignette
\n\n\nIn Switzerland, it’s straightforward: there is only one type of vignette available, and that is an annual vignette. This vignette is valid from 1 December of the preceding year until 31 January of the following year, making it valid for a total of 14 months. Are you transiting or planning a long holiday? The price is the same. For some time now, in addition to the traditional sticker, a digital annual vignette has also been available. Driving without a valid vignette can result in a fine of 200 Swiss francs, plus the cost of the vignette itself.
\n\n\n\nCzechia: fully digital
\n\n\nCzechia has completely abolished the physical sticker. You can buy a vignette for Czech motorways online, and it is directly linked to your vehicle registration number. You can choose from different validity periods: 10 days, 30 days, or one year. The system is efficient, and your purchase is processed within minutes, allowing you to even arrange it shortly before the border.
\n\n\n\nSlovakia: e-vignette only
\n\n\nLike its neighbour Czechia, Slovakia also operates a fully digital vignette system. Purchasing is straightforward via the official website or an app. The available periods are similar: 10 days, 30 days, or a full year. Make sure you enter the vehicle registration number correctly, as a typo can still lead to a fine.
\n\n\n\nSlovenia: digital purchase is mandatory
\n\n\nSlovenia was one of the first countries in the region to switch to an exclusively digital system. The ‘e-vignette’ is mandatory for all motorways. Options for passenger cars include a weekly vignette, a monthly vignette, and an annual vignette. The weekly vignette, in particular, is strictly valid for 7 days, so pay close attention to your travel dates if you’re planning a return trip that lasts slightly longer.
\n\n\n\nHungary: the e-matrica
\n\n\nIn Hungary, the vignette is called an ‘e-matrica’. This is also a fully electronic system linked to your vehicle registration number. You can buy vignettes for a week (valid for 10 days), a month, or a year. It’s advisable to purchase the vignette online in advance to avoid waiting times at the border. Control is strict and automated.
\n\n\n\nRomania and Bulgaria
\n\n\nIn Romania (‘rovinieta’) and Bulgaria, the system works slightly differently. Here, the digital vignette is mandatory for the use of almost the entire national road network, with the exception of roads within built-up areas. So you don’t just need it on the motorway. Both countries offer vignettes for different periods, ranging from a weekend to a year.
\n\n\n\nMoldova: lesser known
\n\n\nMoldova is a lesser-known destination for most travellers, but here too a ‘rovinieta’ is mandatory for using the roads. The rules are similar to those in Romania. If you are planning a trip through this part of Europe, make sure you have your vignette in order for Moldova as well.
\nTips for a smooth journey
\n \nArranging a vignette is a small part of your travel preparations, but one that you must execute properly. Here are a few points to consider:
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- Purchase via official channels: Buy your vignette through the official websites of national road authorities (such as ASFINAG in Austria) or via reliable parties. This prevents you from overpaying or buying an invalid vignette. \n\n \n
- Check your details: For a digital vignette, a correct vehicle registration number is of great importance. Double-check your entry before completing the purchase. \n\n \n
- Pay attention to the validity period: Choose the period that fully covers your trip. A 10-day vignette is not practical if your journey is 11 days long. Sometimes buying two shorter vignettes is cheaper than a monthly vignette. \n\n \n
- Affix the sticker correctly: Are you still using a physical sticker, as in Switzerland or until 2027 in Austria? Then affix it to the inside of the windscreen according to the instructions. An incorrectly affixed vignette is invalid. \n\n
Good preparation regarding vignettes is an important step in your travel planning. But there’s more to discover. On TravelerTips, you’ll find comprehensive information about the most beautiful driving routes, environmental zones in European cities, and checklists for your car holiday. Dive deeper into our articles and make your next trip a perfectly organised experience.
\n\nFrequently asked questions
\nAustria, Bulgaria, Hungary, Slovenia, Slovakia, Czechia, Switzerland, Moldova, Romania, and Turkey all require a vignette for cars. This vignette is a toll that grants access to motorways and expressways. From 2027, Austria will fully transition to a digital vignette. Various other Central European countries, such as Slovenia and Czechia, already use fully digital toll systems.
\n\nFor travel through Europe, a vignette is mandatory in countries such as Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, and Slovenia. You can purchase a vignette both physically and digitally, depending on the country and the period; for example, Austria will fully transition to digital vignettes in 2027. Digital vignettes are linked online to your vehicle registration number and are safer, cheaper to administer, and more environmentally friendly. For physical vignettes, you often buy these at border crossings or petrol stations, but it is advisable to arrange this well in advance.
\n\nVarious European countries operate a vignette requirement, including Austria, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Slovenia, Slovakia, Czechia, Moldova, Romania, and Turkey. For Austria in 2026, vignettes are available for €9.60 (annual), €12.80 (10 days), and €32.00 (2 months). The validity therefore ranges from 10 days, 2 months, to one year. Specific costs and validity periods for the other countries are not further specified.
\n\nIn Austria, you risk a fine if you drive without a valid vignette, although the exact amount is not specified in the information provided. In Switzerland, the fine is 200 Swiss francs (approximately €215). You can check the validity of a digital vignette by linking it online to your vehicle registration number after purchase. For 2026, a physical sticker is still available in Austria, but from 1 February 2027, only digital vignettes will be valid.
\n\nIn addition to the vignette requirement, there are specific exceptions for certain vehicle types, such as motorhomes heavier than 3,500 kg in Austria. These vehicles must purchase a GO-Box and load a minimum of €75 credit, which expires after a maximum of two years. For other countries with a vignette requirement, such as Switzerland, vignettes apply to cars and motorcycles up to 3,500 kg. A fine for not having a vignette in Switzerland is approximately €215.
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