Enter your start and destination and instantly see what your trip costs: tolls, vignettes, fuel and low-emission zones. Plus all the rules per country, for cars, motorhomes, motorcycles, coaches and trucks.
In the print window, choose ‘Save as PDF’ to keep the route as a PDF.
Directions
Routing by openrouteservice using OpenStreetMap data. Height and weight restrictions are not recorded everywhere: always follow the signs and plan for driving and rest times.
Before you go
On the road
Motorhome, caravan and motorcycle
Professional transport
Buying a vehicle abroad
Before you go
🎫
Which vignettes do you need?
Quick, no address needed: just pick the countries on your route and see which vignettes you need and what they cost.
Vignettes for this routeestimate in euro, excluding section tolls€75.60
Everything for this route in one go
Needed for your route: Switzerland, Austria
Cheapest option
Buy separately from the official sellers: €75.60 in total. One combined order is easier but may add service fees.
Autopay Mobility sells the e-vignettes for Switzerland, Austria together in one order. It is an authorised seller (official ASFINAG partner in Austria and authorised seller in Hungary). Check the service fee at checkout: the official sites charge none.
Toll tag for your car Drive through toll plazas without stopping. Sorted by how many toll countries on your route each tag covers.
Bip&Gocovers your whole route
Costs: À la carte: €2.10/month only when used in FR; +€2.50 per month of use in ES/PT and in IT; activation €10 (€14 with IT); shipping €6 (abroad €10). Or flat rate €19.95/year.
No fee in months you don't use it.
One tag for France, Spain, Portugal and Italy.
Extra fee per country used per month (ES/PT and IT €2.50 each).
Costs: Classic: €2.20/month only when used (paper invoice €4.20); activation €0; shipping €4.90 (abroad €9.90); options ES/PT €2/month, IT €2.40/month.
No activation fee and no fee in months without use.
Offer until 31-12-2026: 6 months of free management fees for new customers with a SEPA account.
Spain/Portugal and Italy are paid options you activate separately.
€15 after 14 months without use; €30 if you don't return the tag.
London: congestion charge £18 a day in the centre, electric cars included. ULEZ across Greater London: £12.50 a day for petrol below Euro 4 and diesel below Euro 6.
Tolls and extra costs 2
London Congestion Charge£18
London ULEZ£12.50
Watch out: Drive on the left; speeds are in miles per hour (70 mph ≈ 113 km/h).
Péage per section: ticket at the entry, pay at the exit by card or toll tag.
Barrier-free toll (flux libre) on the A13/A14 Paris–Normandy, A79 and A69: pay online within 72 hours or face a fine from €90. The A69 is only partly open.
Tolls and extra costs 2
Paris – Lyon (A6)€41.28
Paris – Marseille€69.44
Watch out: Speed camera alerts are banned (up to €1,500). Navigation apps show only 'danger zones' there.
Low-emission zones for your car 3
Allowed with stickerParis (Grand Paris, A86) (Crit'Air 2)
Allowed with stickerLyon (Crit'Air 2)
Allowed with stickerMarseille, Toulouse, Nice, Strasbourg, Montpellier … (Crit'Air 2)
Annual vignette only: even one transit day costs CHF 40. Valid 1 December 2025 to 31 January 2027. The 2027 vignette goes on sale on 1 December 2026.
A trailer or caravan needs its own vignette.
Tolls and extra costs 1
Grand-St-BernardCHF 31
Watch out: Fines are steep: 20 km/h over costs CHF 180 on motorways and CHF 240 outside towns; in towns you are reported. Extreme speeding can mean prison.
A digital 2-month or annual vignette bought online is only valid 18 days after purchase. The 1-day and 10-day vignettes are valid immediately.
The red 2026 sticker is the last one and is valid until 31 January 2027. From the 2027 vignette year it is digital only.
Tolls and extra costs 7
A13 Brenner€12.50
A10 Tauern + Katschberg€15.00
S16 Arlbergtunnel€13.00
A11 Karawankentunnel (→ SI)€9.00
A9 Gleinalmtunnel€12.00
A9 Bosrucktunnel€7.00
Felbertauerntunnel€13.50
Watch out: Tyrol: on weekends and public holidays (7 am–7 pm) detour roads in the Innsbruck, Kufstein, Imst and Reutte districts are closed to through traffic. Destination traffic needs proof, such as a hotel booking.
Vignette-free in Austria · You don't need a vignette on these motorway stretches just past the border:
Also sold together with other vignettes by Autopay Mobility (authorised seller). Handy for several countries, but there may be a service fee. The official seller above remains the cheapest. mobility.autopay.eu ↗
Basic rules
A digital 2-month or annual vignette bought online is only valid 18 days after purchase. The 1-day and 10-day vignettes are valid immediately.
The red 2026 sticker is the last one and is valid until 31 January 2027. From the 2027 vignette year it is digital only.
Section tolls (Sondermaut) are paid on top of the vignette, per trip.
Motorcycle: 1 day €3.80, 10 days €5.10, year €42.70.
A13 Brenner€12.50
A10 Tauern + Katschberg€15.00
S16 Arlbergtunnel€13.00
A11 Karawankentunnel (→ SI)€9.00
A9 Gleinalmtunnel€12.00
A9 Bosrucktunnel€7.00
Felbertauerntunnel€13.50
Low-emission zones 0
No car low-emission zones in our overview.
Watch out
Tyrol: on weekends and public holidays (7 am–7 pm) detour roads in the Innsbruck, Kufstein, Imst and Reutte districts are closed to through traffic. Destination traffic needs proof, such as a hotel booking.
For extreme speeding (60+ km/h over in towns, 70+ outside) the police can seize your car.
Form an emergency corridor as soon as traffic slows down; it is mandatory here.
🚚 Truck (over 3.5 t)
ASFINAG GO-Maut · > 3,5 t · GO-Box / EETS
Truck driving ban (> 7,5 t): Saturday 15 h to Sunday 22 h (also trucks with a trailer if either part is over 3.5 t). In summer Saturdays 8–15 h on the A4 and holiday roads, 7–15 h on the A10 Tauern. Night ban 22–5 h. In Tyrol: block clearance at Kufstein, a sectoral ban on the A12 and Luegbrücke (A13) works until about 2031.
One toll box for the whole route: an EETS provider covers several countries with one device, for example: DKV BOX EUROPE, UTA One, Eurowag (W.A.G. payment), AS 24, Telepass EU, Toll4Europe.
FelbertauernA · Felbertauernstraße AG€ 13,50 Between Mittersill and Matrei in East Tyrol (B108). Not a motorway, so no vignette needed. ↗ felbertauernstrasse.at
Karawankentunnel (A11)A · SLO · ASFINAG / DARS€ 9,00 Into Slovenia. You then need a Slovenian e-vignette. ↗ asfinag.at
Arlbergtunnel (S16)A · ASFINAG€ 13,00 Between Vorarlberg and Tyrol. Alternative: the Arlberg Pass (free, caravans banned). ↗ asfinag.at
Tauern- en Katschbergtunnel (A10)A · ASFINAG€ 15,00 One toll for both tunnels on the Tauern motorway. Digital section toll can be bought online in advance. ↗ asfinag.at
Brennerautobahn (A13)A · I · ASFINAG€ 12,50 Innsbruck – Brenner Pass, including the Europabrücke. In Italy the normal A22 toll follows. ↗ asfinag.at
Pyhrnautobahn (A9): Bosruck / GleinalmA · ASFINAG€ 7,00 / € 12,00 Two separate toll points on the A9 Linz–Graz: Bosruck tunnel and Gleinalm tunnel. ↗ asfinag.at
Tauernschleuse (Böckstein – Mallnitz)A · ÖBB€ 26 11 minutes between Salzburg and Carinthia. Fully closed from February to July 2027. ↗ oebb.at
Prices vary by season, day and booking time; always check the current fare with the operator.
Trailer up to 750 kg: 100 outside built-up areas. Motorhome over 3.5 t: 70 / 80, no vignette but distance-based toll with a GO-Box.
The caravan needs no vignette of its own; only the towing vehicle’s weight counts.
🚨 Accident abroad: what now?
With injuries you must alert the police (133 or 112) immediately. With damage only, call them only if identities cannot be exchanged; an unnecessary call-out costs €36.
Collision with game: always report it to the police at once.
Car: 1 Nov–15 Apr in snow, slush or ice. Truck >3.5 t: 1 Nov–15 Apr always, plus snow chains on board. Coach: 1 Nov–15 Mar. Cross-ply tyres: 5/6 mm.
📷 Dashcams and speed-camera alerts
📷 DashcamAllowed with restrictions Continuous recording is not allowed under data-protection law. Only short clips saved automatically after an incident (impact, hard braking) are accepted.
📡 Speed-camera warningsAllowed with restrictions Sat-navs and apps showing speed-camera locations (POI) are allowed. Radar detectors and jammers are banned: fine up to €10,000 and the device is confiscated.
🧒 Child seat: Children under 14 and shorter than 135 cm need a suitable child seat. Rear-facing seat in front only with the airbag off.
📱 Phone and headphones: Hands-free only. Holding a phone costs €100 on the spot (up to €140 if reported). Allowed when parked or when traffic is at a complete standstill, not in stop-and-go.
🚭 Smoking: Smoking (including e-cigarettes) is banned when anyone under 18 is in the car. Fine up to €100, up to €1,000 for repeat offences.
⛽ Spare fuel (jerrycan): According to ADAC, up to 10 litres in an approved can are allowed.
Unleaded 95 (E10/E5): 1.817 € · Diesel: 2.132 € National average incl. taxes; motorway stations are often dearer. As of: 19 Oct 2026
📅 Busiest travel days
Saturdays in the ski season (Christmas to Easter, peaking in February) and in summer. Bottlenecks: Tauern and Karawanken tunnels (A10, A11), Brenner (A13), Inn valley (A12) and the Fern Pass.
Upcoming busy days
Sat, 7 Nov 2026 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in Austria.
Sat, 19 Dec 2026 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in France, Italy, Switzerland and Austria. Christmas school holidays start in the Netherlands and France.
Sat, 2 Jan 2027 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in Switzerland, Austria and Belgium. End of the Christmas holidays: mainly return traffic.
Sat, 30 Jan 2027 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in Germany and Austria.
Sat, 6 Feb 2027 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in France, Germany, Switzerland and Austria. French winter holidays start in zone C (incl. Paris).
Sat, 13 Feb 2027 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Austria. Winter holidays start in French zone A and spring half-term in the Dutch south region.
AAustriaUntil 15 Mar 2027 Land borders with Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary and Slovenia. No checks are notified at the borders with Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Italy. ↗ home-affairs.ec.europa.eu
⛔ Exit bans (through traffic)
ATyrol – Innsbruck, Seefeld and Wipptal Where: Local roads on the Seefeld plateau (Seefeld, Reith, Scharnitz, Leutasch), in Innsbruck (L9, L32) and in Völs, Zirl, Kematen, Natters, Mutters and Telfs. Metering lights on the B182 (Brenner). When: 1 May–1 Nov 2026: Sat, Sun and public holidays plus 29 May and 2 Oct, 7am–7pm. Winter 2025/26: 27 Dec–1 Mar. Winter 2026/27 not yet announced. ↗ tirol.gv.at
ATyrol – Kufstein Where: Detour routes along the A12/A93: L211 (Kirchbichl/Langkampfen), Endach, L295 Ebbs, Niederndorf, Eiberg (B173), Einfangstraße, Klammstraße and, new in 2026, the B175 and roads in Walchsee. When: 1 May–1 Nov 2026: Sat, Sun and public holidays plus 29 May and 2 Oct, 7am–7pm. Winter 2025/26: 20 Dec–6 Apr. Winter 2026/27 not yet announced. ↗ tirol.gv.at
ATyrol – Reutte (Fernpass) Where: L288 towards Pinswang/Pflach, L69 from Vils, the Pflach access road from the Reutte Nord exit and the Heiterwang access road. Day trips to the Lechtal or Tannheim valley are not exempt. When: 1 May–1 Nov 2026: Sat, Sun and public holidays plus 29 May and 2 Oct, 7am–7pm. Winter 2025/26: 20 Dec–6 Apr. Winter 2026/27 not yet announced. ↗ tirol.gv.at
ATyrol – Imst (Nassereith) Where: The turn-off from the B189 at Dormitz towards Nassereith and the roads through Nassereith village. Holiday guests in Nassereith must carry their booking confirmation. When: 1 May–1 Nov 2026: Sat, Sun and public holidays plus 29 May and 2 Oct, 7am–7pm. Winter 2025/26: 20 Dec–6 Apr. Winter 2026/27 not yet announced. ↗ tirol.gv.at
ASalzburg – A10 Tauern motorway Where: Exits from Puch-Urstein to Zederhaus (incl. Hallein, Kuchl, Golling, Werfen, Flachau): leave only if your destination is in Austria. On some Saturdays exits were fully closed. When: Summer 2026 (holiday period) until 13 September. The 2027 season has not yet been announced. ↗ salzburg24.at
AVorarlberg – S16 Klostertal (Arlberg) Where: S16 towards the Arlberg: Bings on- and off-ramp, Braz-West exit, Braz-Ost entry and Langen entry. No restrictions on the A14. When: Winter 2025/26: Saturdays 14, 21 and 28 February, 8am–6pm. Winter 2026/27 not yet announced. ↗ adac.de
🏕️ Overnight stays with a motorhome or caravan
⛺ Wild campingRestricted · 🅿️ One night at the roadside / car parkRestricted Wild camping is a state matter: banned in Tyrol, Vienna, Carinthia and Lower Austria, conditional in Salzburg and Styria, elsewhere up to the municipality. This also applies to motorhomes. Protected areas: up to €14,500
Official sale:shop.asfinag.at ↗ ASFINAG warns against unauthorised online sellers with inflated prices and fake shops. Official: ASFINAG shop, ADAC, Autopay, Tolltickets, ÖAMTC, ARBÖ, petrol stations, tobacconists.
⏱️ Driving and rest times (trucks and buses)
Austria fines the employer per offence for driving time, breaks or daily rest; the amount depends on the EU seriousness category. Fines: €72 to €2,180 per offence, up to €3,600 for repeat offences.
A13 Brenner – Luegbrückefrom 2025-01 until 2030🚚 mainly trucks During reconstruction (until end of 2027) usually one lane per direction; when two lanes are open, trucks over 3.5 t must use the left lane (weigh checks). Expect truck dosing at Kufstein and extra driving bans for vehicles over 7.5 t. ↗ asfinag.at
A11 Karawankentunnel (AT–SI)from 2026-03 until 2029 New tube open since March 2026 with one lane each way while the old tube is renovated. Two lanes each way only from summer 2029. Expect queues on holiday weekends. ↗ asfinag.at
A10 Tauern – Golling–Werfen / Eben–Flachaufrom 2026-03 until 2027-12 On two sections (Golling–Werfen, Eben–Flachau) traffic runs two-way on one carriageway. Width limits for wide loads. Expect delays, especially at weekends. ↗ asfinag.at
A10 Tauern – Mautstelle St. Michaelfrom 2026 until 2029 Rebuild of the St. Michael toll plaza (Lungau) until spring 2029: temporary toll lanes and a narrowing after them. More queues in the summer holidays. ↗ adac.de
A10 Tauerntunnel + Katschbergtunnelfrom 2027 until 2033 From autumn 2027 both tunnels are renovated: one tube closed, two-way traffic in the other (60–80 km/h). No works in July and August. Up to 30 km queues expected on public holidays. ↗ adac.de
A9 Pyhrn – Mautern–Trabochfrom 2026-03 until 2029 Renewal of 10 km and 28 bridges in phases until 2029; next phase from March 2027. Outside summer often one lane each way in contraflow; two lanes each way in summer. ↗ oeamtc.at
A12 Inntal – Mötz–Galerie Simmeringfrom 2026-03 until 2026-12 Major renewal between Mötz and the Simmering gallery (towards Arlberg/Fern Pass): one lane each way until December 2026. Expect queues. ↗ tt.com
🛡️ Safety on the road
Phishing emails and texts in ASFINAG's name demand a "replacement toll" for a missing vignette. Don't click the link; buy vignettes only in the ASFINAG web shop or at official outlets.
Vienna: Passengers may board and alight inside the Ring. Parking only at paid coach parks. On Advent Saturdays and during events, access only with a permit (via the hotel or venue). ↗
Salzburg: To drop off and pick up at the Nonntal and Paris-Lodron coach terminals, book a slot in advance: €90 per coach per day, parking included. The inner city has a coach ban from 08:00 to 18:00. ↗
From November to April many countries apply winter rules. Situational means: compulsory as soon as there is snow, slush or ice.
Winter tyre symbolSnow chains compulsory
Winter tyres
Period
Which tyres
Snow chains
A Austria
In winter conditions
01.11–15.04
M+S or 3PMSF (snowflake symbol) min. 4 mm tread
Allowed instead of winter tyres
CH Switzerland
No general rule
–
–
Compulsory where signposted
D Germany
In winter conditions
–
3PMSF (snowflake symbol) only
Compulsory where signposted
NL Netherlands
No general rule
–
–
Not allowed
B Belgium
No general rule
–
–
Only on snow or ice
L Luxembourg
In winter conditions
–
M+S or 3PMSF (snowflake symbol)
Only on snow or ice
F France
In designated mountain zones
01.11–31.03
3PMSF (snowflake symbol) only
Allowed instead of winter tyres
I Italy
Where signposted
15.11–15.04
M+S or 3PMSF (snowflake symbol)
Allowed instead of winter tyres
E Spain
Where signposted
–
M+S or 3PMSF (snowflake symbol)
Compulsory where signposted
P Portugal
No general rule
–
–
Compulsory where signposted
CZ Czech Republic
In winter conditions
01.11–31.03
M+S or 3PMSF (snowflake symbol) min. 4 mm tread
Compulsory where signposted
SK Slovakia
In winter conditions
–
M+S or 3PMSF (snowflake symbol) min. 3 mm tread
Compulsory where signposted
SLO Slovenia
Compulsory in period
15.11–15.03
M+S or 3PMSF (snowflake symbol) min. 3 mm tread
Allowed instead of winter tyres
HR Croatia
Compulsory in period
15.11–15.04
M+S or 3PMSF (snowflake symbol) min. 4 mm tread
Carry in the boot
H Hungary
No general rule
–
–
Compulsory where signposted
PL Poland
No general rule
–
–
Compulsory where signposted
DK Denmark
No general rule
–
–
Only on snow or ice
S Sweden
In winter conditions
01.12–31.03
3PMSF (snowflake symbol) only min. 3 mm tread
Only on snow or ice
N Norway
No general rule
–
min. 3 mm tread
Only on snow or ice
BG Bulgaria
Compulsory in period
15.11–01.03
M+S or 3PMSF (snowflake symbol) min. 4 mm tread
Only on snow or ice
RO Romania
In winter conditions
–
M+S or 3PMSF (snowflake symbol)
Only on snow or ice
UK United Kingdom
No general rule
–
–
Only on snow or ice
IRL Ireland
No general rule
–
–
Only on snow or ice
GR Greece
Where signposted
–
M+S or 3PMSF (snowflake symbol)
Compulsory where signposted
FIN Finland
In winter conditions
01.11–31.03
3PMSF (snowflake symbol) only min. 3 mm tread
Only on snow or ice
EST Estonia
Compulsory in period
01.12–01.03
3PMSF (snowflake symbol) only min. 3 mm tread
Only on snow or ice
LV Latvia
Compulsory in period
01.12–01.03
3PMSF (snowflake symbol) only min. 4 mm tread
Only on snow or ice
LT Lithuania
Compulsory in period
10.11–31.03
M+S or 3PMSF (snowflake symbol) min. 3 mm tread
Only on snow or ice
CY Cyprus
No general rule
–
–
Only on snow or ice
M Malta
No general rule
–
–
Only on snow or ice
Which marking must winter tyres have?
🚗 Car
🚚 Truck
🚌 Coach
🏍️ Motorcycle
A Austria
s · M+S · 4 mm
M+S · 5 mm (drive axle) + chains
M+S · 5 mm (drive axle)
–
BG Bulgaria
4 mm
4 mm + chains
4 mm + chains
?
HR Croatia
M+S (or chains + 4 mm)
M+S (drive axle) or chains
M+S (drive axle) or chains
?
CZ Czech Republic
s · M+S · 4 mm
s · M+S · 6 mm (drive axle)
s · M+S · 6 mm (drive axle)
–
EST Estonia
3PMSF · 3 mm
–
–
–
FIN Finland
s · 3PMSF · 3 mm
3PMSF · 5 mm (drive axle)
3PMSF · 5 mm (drive axle)
–
F France
s · 3PMSF or chains
s · 3PMSF or chains (+ chains with trailer)
s · 3PMSF or chains
–
D Germany
s · 3PMSF
s · 3PMSF (drive + front steering axle)
s · 3PMSF (drive + front steering axle)
–
I Italy
s · M+S or chains
s · M+S or chains
s · M+S or chains
–
LV Latvia
3PMSF · 4 mm
–
–
–
LT Lithuania
M+S · 3 mm
–
–
–
L Luxembourg
s · M+S
s · M+S (drive axles)
s · M+S (drive axles)
–
N Norway
– (3 mm)
3PMSF · 5 mm (drive + front axle) + chains
3PMSF · 5 mm (drive + front axle) + chains
–
RO Romania
s · M+S
s · M+S (drive axle) + chains
s · M+S (drive axle)
–
SK Slovakia
s · M+S · 3 mm
M+S (drive axle)
M+S (drive axle)
–
SLO Slovenia
M+S · 3 mm (or chains)
M+S · 3 mm (drive axle) or chains
M+S · 3 mm (drive axle) or chains
?
E Spain
s
s
s
s
S Sweden
s · 3PMSF · 3 mm
3PMSF · 5 mm (drive + front axle)
3PMSF · 5 mm (drive + front axle)
–
3PMSF = three-peak mountain snowflake symbol (snow-tested); M+S = mud and snow (no snow test); s = only in winter conditions or where signed; – = no winter tyre obligation.
In the car
Mandatory equipment by country
What you must carry as a foreign driver. Keep the vest within reach inside the car, not in the boot.
Warning triangleHi-vis vest
Warning triangle
Hi-vis vest
First aid kit
Fire extinguisher
Lights by day
A Austria
1×
1×
✓
–
tunnels only
CH Switzerland
1×
–
–
–
✓
D Germany
1×
1×
✓
–
–
NL Netherlands
–
–
–
–
–
B Belgium
1×
1×
–
–(local plates only)
–
L Luxembourg
1×
✓per person
–
–
–
F France
1×
1×
–
–
–
I Italy
1×
✓per person
–
–
✓outside towns
E Spain
2×
✓per person
–
–
–
P Portugal
1×
✓per person
–
–
–
CZ Czech Republic
1×
✓per person
✓
–
✓
SK Slovakia
1×
1×
✓
–
✓
SLO Slovenia
1×
✓per person
✓
–
✓
HR Croatia
1×
✓per person
✓
–
✓winter only (Nov–Mar)
H Hungary
1×
✓per person
✓
–
✓outside towns
PL Poland
1×
–
–
–(local plates only)
✓
DK Denmark
1×
–
–
–
✓
S Sweden
1×
–
–
–
✓
N Norway
1×
1×
–
–
✓
BG Bulgaria
1×
1×
✓
✓
✓
RO Romania
2×
✓per person
✓
✓
✓outside towns
UK United Kingdom
–
–
–
–
–
IRL Ireland
–
–
–
–
–
GR Greece
1×
–
✓
✓
–
FIN Finland
1×
–
–
–
✓
EST Estonia
1×
1×
–
✓
✓
LV Latvia
1×
1×
✓
✓
✓
LT Lithuania
1×
1×
✓
✓
✓
CY Cyprus
2×
–
–
–
–
M Malta
–
–
–
–
–
Spain: Spanish cars use a V16 beacon since 2026; foreign cars may keep using warning triangles.
Papers and equipment
What must be in the car or truck
Your personal documents checklist
Tick what applies to you; the list updates instantly.
Take with you:
☐ Valid driving licence
☐ Valid ID card or passport for everyone in the car
☐ Vehicle registration certificate (all parts)
☐ Proof of insurance; the green card is not compulsory within the EU, but useful after an accident
☐ European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and your travel insurance
☐ Phone number of your breakdown service and a European accident report form
☐ Vignette or toll registration for your route (the route planner shows what you need)
☐ Passport (ID cards are not accepted) and a UK ETA (electronic travel authorisation) for everyone
☐ Each child needs their own ID; if a child travels with one parent or without parents, bring a consent letter from the other parent(s)
☐ EU pet passport, microchip and valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days old); dogs going to Ireland, Finland, Malta, Norway or the UK also need a tapeworm treatment
☐ Registration certificate of the caravan or trailer (if it has its own registration)
☐ International Driving Permit alongside your own licence
Vehicle registration document and proof of insurance. A green card is not required in the EU but helps after an accident.
Driving a lease, rental or someone else's car? Carry the owner's written permission.
Outside the EU (e.g. the UK, Switzerland or Norway) you may drive on EU plates, but check that your plate shows a country code.
Car equipment per country is in the table above.
Truck: documents
C/CE driving licence, driver CPC (code 95) and passport or ID.
Tachograph driver card, with records for today and the previous 56 days.
Registration documents for tractor and trailer, proof of insurance and a certified copy of the Community licence.
CMR consignment note (or e-CMR where allowed) and, for dangerous goods, ADR certificate and papers.
For cabotage or cross-trade: the posting declaration (IMI), digital or on paper.
Truck: equipment
Warning triangle and hi-vis vest, as for cars.
Germany: above 3.5 t a yellow flashing warning lamp, and from 4 t at least one wheel chock.
Austria: from 1 November to 15 April winter tyres on at least one drive axle and snow chains for two drive wheels on board. Studded tyres are banned.
Germany: in winter conditions 3PMSF tyres on the drive axles and the front axle.
🔑
Rental car abroad
What to watch out for when you rent a car and cross a border with it.
Ask before booking whether you may take the rental car to other countries. Many rental companies charge a cross-border fee and some ban certain countries, often outside the EU or in Eastern Europe.
Have the permission written into the rental contract and carry the contract: you will be asked for it at a check or after damage.
Vignette: a rental car usually only has a vignette for the country of rental. If you enter another country that requires one, you buy it yourself (usually digital, linked to the number plate).
Tolls: ask whether the car has a toll tag or plate registration. Free-flow and camera tolls are often invoiced afterwards, with an admin fee.
Low-emission zones: check whether the car has the right sticker or registration (such as Crit'Air in France or the green sticker in Germany). A car rented in another country does not always have it.
Fines (also for camera-controlled restricted traffic zones) go to the rental company. It passes on your details and often charges an admin fee per fine on top of the fine itself.
Excess: the standard insurance often has a high excess. Separate excess insurance is usually cheaper than the rental company's own; check whether tyres, glass and the underside are covered.
Deposit: it is usually blocked on a credit card in the main driver's name. With a debit card you often cannot rent, or you must buy extra insurance.
Take photos or a video of the car, the mileage and the fuel gauge at pick-up and return. Prefer a full-to-full fuel policy.
Winter: in countries with a winter tyre requirement the car must have them; some rental companies charge a surcharge. Snow chains can often be rented separately.
Picking up in one country and returning in another usually costs a hefty one-way fee. Compare it in advance with returning to the pick-up country.
Toll tags
Drive through tolls without stopping
With a toll tag you use dedicated lanes and pay afterwards. Compare subscription fees, deposits and per-transaction costs.
Toll gantry
For cars
France only: Bip&Go or Ulys, paying per month of use. Adding Spain/Portugal: the same tag with the Europe option, or Via Verde Visitors. Adding Italy or Croatia: GO by Telepass (max. €36/year). Norway: an AutoPASS tag for a 20% discount.
Bip&Go FR · ES · PT · IT
Cost: À la carte: €2.10/month only when used in FR; +€2.50 per month of use in ES/PT and in IT; activation €10 (€14 with IT); shipping €6 (abroad €10). Or flat rate €19.95/year.
Pros
No fee in months you don't use it.
One tag for France, Spain, Portugal and Italy.
Cons
Extra fee per country used per month (ES/PT and IT €2.50 each).
Cost: Go Toll & Beyond: €1.99/month only when used, device included; Roaming (ES/FR) +€1.99 per month of use. Go Toll (plate only, PT): €0.77/month + €0.32 per transaction.
Pros
Made for foreign cars; foreign bank accounts and cards accepted.
Also pays Portugal's electronic-only tolls with no booths.
Cons
Does not work in Italy.
Spain and France only with the paid Roaming add-on.
Cost: Tag from an issuer (e.g. SkyttelPASS): one-off NOK 200, NOK 0/month, no invoice fee. Without a tag: register your plate with EPC (EPASS24) and pay by credit card.
Pros
With a tag, 20% off AutoPASS tolls (up to 3.5 t) and 10% (up to 50% with a ferry agreement) on ferries.
Registering without a tag avoids the highest environmental rate and gives one clear invoice.
The SkyttelPASS tag also works on the Øresund and Great Belt bridges and Danish ferries.
Cons
No discount without a tag.
The tag costs NOK 200 once and arrives by post; arrange it before you leave.
Prices checked on 22-10-2026; check the provider's website before ordering.
For trucks (EETS, one box for several countries)
DKV BOX EUROPE
UTA One
Eurowag (W.A.G. payment)
AS 24
Telepass EU
Toll4Europe
Axxès
Shell Truck Toll
Money tip
Buy only from the official seller
The top Google results are often resellers who add service fees, sometimes more than the vignette itself. Every country sells its official e-vignette online, in English too.
Official
Via reseller
SK Slovakia 10 days
€10,80
€16,00 – €21,99
SLO Slovenia 7 days
€16,00
€21,50
CH Switzerland year
CHF 40
≈ €55
BG Bulgaria 1 day
€5,30
€11,99
Example reseller prices found in October 2026.
📅
Busiest travel days
When Europe's roads are busiest, based on Bison Futé, ANWB, ADAC and other official traffic sources.
Upcoming busy days
Sat, 7 Nov 2026 · A ANWB traffic calendar: busy in Austria.
Fri, 18 Dec 2026 · FIBNL ANWB traffic calendar: busy in France, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands. Bison Futé: difficult traffic in Île-de-France and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (Alps).
Sat, 19 Dec 2026 · FICHANL ANWB traffic calendar: busy in France, Italy, Switzerland and Austria. Christmas school holidays start in the Netherlands and France.
Wed, 23 Dec 2026 · F Bison Futé: difficult traffic in Île-de-France and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (Alps).
Thu, 24 Dec 2026 · DF ANWB traffic calendar: busy in Germany. Christmas Eve: getaway traffic to family and ski resorts. Bison Futé: difficult traffic in Île-de-France and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (Alps).
Sat, 26 Dec 2026 · F Bison Futé: difficult traffic in several regions, including towards the Alps (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes).
Sun, 27 Dec 2026 · F Bison Futé: difficult traffic in several regions, including towards the Alps (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes).
Sat, 2 Jan 2027 · CHAB ANWB traffic calendar: busy in Switzerland, Austria and Belgium. End of the Christmas holidays: mainly return traffic.
Sat, 30 Jan 2027 · DA ANWB traffic calendar: busy in Germany and Austria.
Fri, 5 Feb 2027 · FDB ANWB traffic calendar: busy in France, Germany and Belgium. Getaway for the Flemish Krokus holiday (8–14 February).
Sat, 6 Feb 2027 · FDCHA ANWB traffic calendar: busy in France, Germany, Switzerland and Austria. French winter holidays start in zone C (incl. Paris).
Fri, 12 Feb 2027 · FDBNL ANWB traffic calendar: busy in France, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Tips to beat the jams
Leave very early (before 6 am) or late in the evening; on peak days the worst queues build during the day.
Avoid Saturdays in the ski season and in summer: holiday rentals and hotels change over and traffic to the Alps and the south peaks.
Check the official forecast the day before (Bison Futé, ADAC, ÖAMTC, ANWB) and live traffic just before you set off.
Expect waits at bottlenecks: the Gotthard tunnel (CH), Brenner (A13), Tauern and Karawanken tunnels (A10, A11) and border checks.
Watch school-holiday start dates in neighbouring countries: the biggest waves come when the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and France break up at the same time.
A Austria
Saturdays in the ski season (Christmas to Easter, peaking in February) and in summer. Bottlenecks: Tauern and Karawanken tunnels (A10, A11), Brenner (A13), Inn valley (A12) and the Fern Pass.
Upcoming busy days
Sat, 7 Nov 2026 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in Austria.
Sat, 19 Dec 2026 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in France, Italy, Switzerland and Austria. Christmas school holidays start in the Netherlands and France.
Sat, 2 Jan 2027 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in Switzerland, Austria and Belgium. End of the Christmas holidays: mainly return traffic.
Sat, 30 Jan 2027 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in Germany and Austria.
Sat, 6 Feb 2027 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in France, Germany, Switzerland and Austria. French winter holidays start in zone C (incl. Paris).
Sat, 13 Feb 2027 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Austria. Winter holidays start in French zone A and spring half-term in the Dutch south region.
Start of school holidays (Flanders and Wallonia/Brussels partly differ) and the Fridays before, plus Dutch transit traffic towards France on the E19, E40, E411 and the Antwerp and Brussels ring roads.
Upcoming busy days
Fri, 18 Dec 2026 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in France, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands. Bison Futé: difficult traffic in Île-de-France and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (Alps).
Sat, 2 Jan 2027 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in Switzerland, Austria and Belgium. End of the Christmas holidays: mainly return traffic.
Fri, 5 Feb 2027 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in France, Germany and Belgium. Getaway for the Flemish Krokus holiday (8–14 February).
Fri, 12 Feb 2027 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in France, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Thu, 25 Mar 2027 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in Germany, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands. Start of the Easter weekend (Easter Sunday 28 March 2027).
Summer weekends to the Black Sea (Trakia motorway, A1), Orthodox Easter (2027: 2 May) and long queues at the Turkish border (Kapitan Andreevo) in summer and around holidays.
Summer Saturdays in July and August: the A1 Zagreb–Split, the A6 to Rijeka, the coast road and queues for island ferries. Also busy border crossings to Bosnia and Montenegro.
Few jams outside rush hours in Nicosia and Limassol. Busier around Orthodox Easter (2027: 2 May), mid-August and summer weekends to the beaches of Ayia Napa and Paphos.
CZ Czech Republic
Friday afternoons and Sundays on the D1 (Prague–Brno), around Christmas and Easter and in summer. Also transit traffic from Germany and Poland to Austria, Croatia and Italy.
Start of school holidays in Denmark and Germany, winter half-term (February), Easter and summer Saturdays. Bottlenecks: the E45 at the German border (Frøslev), the Great Belt Bridge and the Øresund Bridge.
Light traffic. Busiest around Midsummer (Jaanipäev, 23–24 June), on summer weekends to Pärnu and the islands (ferry queues to Saaremaa and Hiiumaa) and on the Via Baltica.
Midsummer (juhannus, 2027: Friday 25 June, returns on Sunday), the February/March winter holidays towards Lapland and Friday afternoons out of Helsinki to summer cottages.
Bison Futé rates every day green, orange, red or black. Busiest: summer Saturdays in late July and early August (A6, A7 and A9 southbound), February ski Saturdays to the Alps (zones A, B, C) and long weekends in May.
Upcoming busy days
Fri, 18 Dec 2026 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in France, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands. Bison Futé: difficult traffic in Île-de-France and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (Alps).
Sat, 19 Dec 2026 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in France, Italy, Switzerland and Austria. Christmas school holidays start in the Netherlands and France.
Wed, 23 Dec 2026 Bison Futé: difficult traffic in Île-de-France and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (Alps).
Thu, 24 Dec 2026 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in Germany. Christmas Eve: getaway traffic to family and ski resorts. Bison Futé: difficult traffic in Île-de-France and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (Alps).
Sat, 26 Dec 2026 Bison Futé: difficult traffic in several regions, including towards the Alps (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes).
Sun, 27 Dec 2026 Bison Futé: difficult traffic in several regions, including towards the Alps (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes).
Start and end of school holidays (staggered by state, summer from late June to mid-September), long weekends and winter Saturdays towards the Alps. Frequent jams on the A7, A8, A9, A93 and around Cologne and Munich.
Upcoming busy days
Thu, 24 Dec 2026 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in Germany. Christmas Eve: getaway traffic to family and ski resorts. Bison Futé: difficult traffic in Île-de-France and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (Alps).
Sat, 30 Jan 2027 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in Germany and Austria.
Fri, 5 Feb 2027 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in France, Germany and Belgium. Getaway for the Flemish Krokus holiday (8–14 February).
Sat, 6 Feb 2027 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in France, Germany, Switzerland and Austria. French winter holidays start in zone C (incl. Paris).
Fri, 12 Feb 2027 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in France, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Sat, 13 Feb 2027 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Austria. Winter holidays start in French zone A and spring half-term in the Dutch south region.
Exodus from Athens around Orthodox Easter (2027: 2 May), mid-August (15 August) and Christmas, with busy motorways and ferry ports at Piraeus and Rafina. The traffic police announce measures each time.
H Hungary
Summer weekends on the M7 to Lake Balaton and holiday traffic heading south. Long waits on the M5 and M3 at the Serbian (Röszke) and Ukrainian borders, especially around Easter, summer and Christmas.
Mainly bank holiday weekends (including February, March, May, June, August and October) and the days before Christmas, on the motorways out of Dublin and the M50.
Viabilità Italia publishes an 'esodo' calendar with red and black days for summer and Christmas. Busiest: weekends in late July and early August, around Ferragosto (15 August), Easter and ski Saturdays at the Brenner (A22).
Upcoming busy days
Fri, 18 Dec 2026 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in France, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands. Bison Futé: difficult traffic in Île-de-France and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (Alps).
Sat, 19 Dec 2026 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in France, Italy, Switzerland and Austria. Christmas school holidays start in the Netherlands and France.
Sat, 13 Feb 2027 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Austria. Winter holidays start in French zone A and spring half-term in the Dutch south region.
Sat, 20 Feb 2027 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Austria. Very busy in Austria (the top level in this winter calendar). Winter holidays start in French zone B and spring half-term in the Dutch north and middle regions.
Sat, 27 Feb 2027 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland. Very busy in Switzerland (the top level in this winter calendar).
Sat, 6 Mar 2027 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland. In France mainly return traffic.
Mainly cross-border commuter rush hours. On holiday Saturdays, transit traffic towards France builds on the A3/A31 near Dudelange and Thionville, partly for cheap fuel.
Mainly daily rush hours on the dense road network. In summer and on public holidays, long queues for the Ċirkewwa–Gozo ferry, especially outbound on Saturday mornings and back on Sunday evenings.
NL Netherlands
Friday afternoons before school holidays (Christmas, spring, May and summer, staggered by north, middle and south region) and the day before Easter, Ascension and Whitsun. On weekdays, rush hours dominate.
Upcoming busy days
Fri, 18 Dec 2026 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in France, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands. Bison Futé: difficult traffic in Île-de-France and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (Alps).
Sat, 19 Dec 2026 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in France, Italy, Switzerland and Austria. Christmas school holidays start in the Netherlands and France.
Fri, 12 Feb 2027 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in France, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Sat, 13 Feb 2027 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Austria. Winter holidays start in French zone A and spring half-term in the Dutch south region.
Fri, 19 Feb 2027 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in France, Germany, Austria and the Netherlands.
Sat, 20 Feb 2027 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Austria. Very busy in Austria (the top level in this winter calendar). Winter holidays start in French zone B and spring half-term in the Dutch north and middle regions.
Easter (påske) and winter half-term heading to mountain cabins, the start of the July 'fellesferie' holiday and Friday afternoons out of Oslo. Mountain passes may run in convoy or close in winter.
Long weekends (the 'majówka' around 1–3 May, All Saints' Day on 1 November, Corpus Christi), Christmas and summer trips to the Baltic coast and mountains. The A2 and A4 towards Germany are often busy on Fridays and Sundays.
Mainly in August towards the Algarve (A2, A22) and at the start and end of long weekends, Christmas and Easter. In summer there is also transit traffic to Morocco via Spain.
Around Christmas, Orthodox Easter (2027: 2 May) and in summer, long waits at the Hungarian (Nădlac, Borș) and Bulgarian borders. Weekends are busy on the DN1 through the Prahova valley and the A2 to the coast.
Summer Saturdays (July and August) on the A2 via the Karawanken tunnel and towards Croatia (Obrežje and Gruškovje crossings), plus winter weekends and Easter.
The DGT runs special traffic operations for the December long weekend (6 and 8 December), Christmas, Holy Week (2027: 25–28 March) and summer (especially early July and August). In summer, Operation Crossing the Strait to Morocco also runs.
Midsummer (2027: Friday 25 June), the start of the July industrial holiday, Easter and the February/March sports-break weeks towards the northern ski resorts. Busy on the E4, E6 and E20.
The Gotthard (A2) and San Bernardino (A13) jam at Easter, Ascension, Whitsun, Corpus Christi and on summer Saturdays; in winter, ski Saturdays are busy. FEDRO asks drivers to stay on the motorway in queues.
Upcoming busy days
Sat, 19 Dec 2026 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in France, Italy, Switzerland and Austria. Christmas school holidays start in the Netherlands and France.
Sat, 2 Jan 2027 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in Switzerland, Austria and Belgium. End of the Christmas holidays: mainly return traffic.
Sat, 6 Feb 2027 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in France, Germany, Switzerland and Austria. French winter holidays start in zone C (incl. Paris).
Sat, 13 Feb 2027 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Austria. Winter holidays start in French zone A and spring half-term in the Dutch south region.
Sat, 20 Feb 2027 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Austria. Very busy in Austria (the top level in this winter calendar). Winter holidays start in French zone B and spring half-term in the Dutch north and middle regions.
Fri, 26 Feb 2027 ANWB traffic calendar: busy in France, Switzerland and the Netherlands.
The Friday before Christmas, Easter and the bank holiday weekends (May and late August), and the start of the summer school holidays, when Dover and the Channel Tunnel can see long queues.
Major works lasting months or years on international routes; checked weekly.
A Austria 7
A13 Brenner – Luegbrückefrom 2025-01 until 2030🚚 mainly trucks During reconstruction (until end of 2027) usually one lane per direction; when two lanes are open, trucks over 3.5 t must use the left lane (weigh checks). Expect truck dosing at Kufstein and extra driving bans for vehicles over 7.5 t. ↗ asfinag.at
A11 Karawankentunnel (AT–SI)from 2026-03 until 2029 New tube open since March 2026 with one lane each way while the old tube is renovated. Two lanes each way only from summer 2029. Expect queues on holiday weekends. ↗ asfinag.at
A10 Tauern – Golling–Werfen / Eben–Flachaufrom 2026-03 until 2027-12 On two sections (Golling–Werfen, Eben–Flachau) traffic runs two-way on one carriageway. Width limits for wide loads. Expect delays, especially at weekends. ↗ asfinag.at
A10 Tauern – Mautstelle St. Michaelfrom 2026 until 2029 Rebuild of the St. Michael toll plaza (Lungau) until spring 2029: temporary toll lanes and a narrowing after them. More queues in the summer holidays. ↗ adac.de
A10 Tauerntunnel + Katschbergtunnelfrom 2027 until 2033 From autumn 2027 both tunnels are renovated: one tube closed, two-way traffic in the other (60–80 km/h). No works in July and August. Up to 30 km queues expected on public holidays. ↗ adac.de
A9 Pyhrn – Mautern–Trabochfrom 2026-03 until 2029 Renewal of 10 km and 28 bridges in phases until 2029; next phase from March 2027. Outside summer often one lane each way in contraflow; two lanes each way in summer. ↗ oeamtc.at
A12 Inntal – Mötz–Galerie Simmeringfrom 2026-03 until 2026-12 Major renewal between Mötz and the Simmering gallery (towards Arlberg/Fern Pass): one lane each way until December 2026. Expect queues. ↗ tt.com
B Belgium 5
R0 Brusselse Ring – Viaduct Vilvoordefrom 2023-08 until 2031🚚 mainly trucks During the renovation (until about 2030) vehicles over 3.5 t are banned every weekend (Fri 23:00 – Mon 04:00) on the inner ring towards Zaventem; 50 km/h limit. Follow the regional diversions or plan trips outside weekends. ↗ werkenaandering.be
R0 Zaventem – knooppunt R0/A201from 2024-09 until 2028-04 Rebuild of the R0/A201 junction near the airport. Three narrowed lanes stay open, but the works are long and extensive. Allow extra time to Brussels Airport. ↗ vrt.be
R1 Antwerpen – Oosterweelwerkenfrom 2024-03 until 2027 Oosterweel works: Ring traffic partly uses a temporary bypass, with narrower lanes and changing layouts. Expect queues and night closures. ↗ oosterweelverbinding.be
E411 Jezus-Eik (Overijse)from 2025-03 until 2027 Rebuild of the Jezus-Eik (N4) junction on the E411 Brussels–Namur–Luxembourg, until autumn 2027. Narrowed lanes and, in some phases, night closures of the E411. ↗ werkenaandering.be
E40 Drongen – Goedingebrugfrom 2026-06 until 2028 Renewal of the Goedinge bridge on the E40 Ghent–Ostend (route to the coast and Calais), until spring 2028. Usually limited disruption, heavy during closures. ↗ vrt.be
CZ Czech Republic 1
D1/D2 Brno – knooppuntfrom 2025-10 until 2027-11 Rebuild of the D1/D2 junction in Brno (route Prague–Bratislava/Vienna). Two lanes each way stay open; expect narrowings, night works and queues. ↗ rsd.cz
DK Denmark 2
E45/E20 Koldingfrom 2026-03 until 2028 Widening over 7 km at Kolding, where the E45 (Germany–Aarhus) and E20 (to Copenhagen) share the road. Three narrow lanes, 80 km/h, 50 km/h in the evening and at night. ↗ vejdirektoratet.dk
E45 Vejle – Aarhusfrom 2023-09 until 2026-12 Widening of the E45 between Vejle and Aarhus (about 54 km) until end-2026. Long 80 km/h stretches; allow 9–12 extra minutes in daytime. ↗ fdm.dk
F France 1
Tunnel du Mont-Blanc (FR–IT)from 2026-09 until 2026-12 Night closures (mostly 22:00–06:00, Mon–Thu) until mid-December 2026, incl. 2–5 and 16–19 Nov and 14–17 Dec; 24 Nov 18:00–06:00. No long closure this autumn. ↗ tunnelmb.net
D Germany 8
A100 Berlin – Ringbahnbrückefrom 2025-03 until 2027🚚 mainly trucks Until the new bridge is finished (summer 2027) the A100 at Dreieck Funkturm is restricted; trucks may not use the Rathenauplatz tunnel towards Hamburg or join the A100 at Messedamm. Through trucks should use the Berliner Ring (A10). ↗ autobahn.de
A3/A40 Kreuz Kaiserberg (Duisburg)from 2026-03 until 2027 Links between the A3 (to/from Cologne, from Arnhem) and the A40 (Venlo/Essen) are closed until mid-2027. Follow diversions; avoid the Duisburg area if you can. ↗ adac.de
A45 Dortmund – Brücke Dorstfeldfrom 2027-04 until 2027-12🚚 mainly trucks The A45 bridge over Martener Straße in Dortmund-Dorstfeld is at its load limit: the left lane is restricted to 3.5 t (mobile barrier). From April 2027 it will be fully closed for about 8 months between Dortmund-West and Dortmund-Hafen; detour via A1/A2. ↗ dortmund.de
A7 Rader Hochbrücke (Rendsburg)from 2023-04 until 2031🚚 mainly trucks On the old bridge over the Kiel Canal, trucks from 7.5 t are limited to 60 km/h with an overtaking ban and minimum gap (speed cameras). Loads over 44 t need a permit. First new section due end of 2026, full completion 2030. ↗ autobahn.de
A565 Bonn – Nordbrücke (Friedrich-Ebert-Brücke)from 2026-02 until 2028-12🚚 mainly trucks Closed to trucks over 7.5 t since February 2026 and fully closed since June 2026. The bridge is being demolished and rebuilt (due by end of 2028 at the latest). Detour via the Cologne motorway ring (A1/A3/A4). ↗ verkehrsrundschau.de
A4 Köln – Brücke Eifeltor (Ri. Olpe)from 2026-04 🚚 mainly trucks Towards Olpe between Köln-Klettenberg and Köln-Eifeltor, trucks may only use the right lane (max. 44 t, weigh-in-motion barrier); left lanes are limited to 3.5 t. Heavier vehicles must exit at Klettenberg; through traffic should use the A1/A3. ↗ verkehrsrundschau.de
B51 Köln – Mülheimer Brückefrom 2019-04 🚚 mainly trucks During the full renovation this Rhine bridge is closed to vehicles over 3.5 t or taller than 2.80 m, with one lane per direction. Trucks should use the Rodenkirchener Brücke (A4) or the Severinsbrücke. ↗ stadt-koeln.de
B170 Dresden – Carolabrückefrom 2024-09 until 2031🚚 mainly trucks After its partial collapse in September 2024 the Elbe bridge has been demolished; there is no crossing. A new bridge is planned (works from 2028, ready by 2031). Trucks should use the Albertbrücke, Marienbrücke or the A4/A17 around Dresden. ↗ verkehrsrundschau.de
H Hungary 1
M1 Budapest – Győr (M0–Concó)from 2025-09 until 2029-08 Widening of the M1 (Vienna–Budapest) to 2x3 lanes between the M0 and Concó (km 94). Shifted lanes and lower limits. M0–Bicske due in 2028, the rest in 2029. ↗ mkif.hu
I Italy 4
Liguria – A7 / A10 / A12 / A26from 2026-10 until 2027 Large renewal programme in Liguria: carriageway swaps and narrowings on the A7, A10, A12 and A26, partly one lane each way. Mostly lifted from 22 Dec until after Epiphany. ↗ autostrade.it
Brivio – Ponte sull'Adda (Lecco–Bergamo)from 2026-05 until 2027-08🚚 mainly trucks Since 4 May 2026 the Brivio bridge over the Adda is closed to all traffic (about 15 months, reopening summer 2027). Trucks detour via the former SS36, SP74 and the Olginate bridge; the Paderno bridge is not suitable. ↗ ilgiorno.it
SS28 Pieve di Teco – Ponte Uveghifrom 2026-01 🚚 mainly trucks On the SS28 Colle di Nava road (Liguria), the Uveghi bridge near Pieve di Teco is restricted for vehicles over 7.5 t with alternating one-lane traffic, pending ANAS inspections and repairs. ↗ stradeanas.it
Bressana Bottarone – Ponte sul Po (Pavia)from 2026 until 2027-01🚚 mainly trucks During works on the Po bridge at Bressana (province of Pavia, until end of January 2027) vehicles over 3.5 t are banned (except public buses), with a 30 km/h limit and partly alternating traffic. Detour via the A7 or other Po bridges. ↗ ilgiorno.it
NL Netherlands 6
A27 Houten – Hooipolderfrom 2023 🚚 mainly trucks Since 18 July 2026 trucks and coaches are banned from the Merwedebrug (A27, Gorinchem) because its steel arches are weaker than expected; scheduled buses may cross. Duration unknown, €500 fine. Detour via A15–A2–A59 or A15–A16–A59 (dangerous goods via A2). ↗ rijkswaterstaat.nl
A12 Den Haag – Nieuwerbrugfrom 2025-08 until 2027-06 Major maintenance until June 2027. Five weekend closures remain: one in March and four in May/June 2027. Exact dates from early 2027; follow diversions. ↗ rijkswaterstaat.nl
N307 Houtribdijk – Houtribbruggen (Lelystad–Enkhuizen)from 2026-10 🚚 mainly trucks Since 21 October 2026 the Houtrib bridges have a 7.3 t axle-load limit and a 15 t weight limit. Trucks can no longer use the dike between Lelystad and Enkhuizen and must detour via the A6/A7 (signposted). ↗ rijkswaterstaat.nl
Dordrecht – Verkeersbrug (Zwijndrechtse brug)from 2026-06 until 2030🚚 mainly trucks Since 3 June 2026 trucks, coaches and farm vehicles are banned from the Verkeersbrug between Zwijndrecht and Dordrecht until its renovation (from 2030). Trucks should detour via the Drechttunnel (A16). ↗ rijkswaterstaat.nl
N280 Kelpen-Oler – Kelperbrugfrom 2026-06 🚚 mainly trucks Due to corrosion, trucks, buses and farm vehicles have been banned from the Kelperbrug (N280) over the Wessem-Nederweert canal since 9 June 2026. Detour via the A2/A73 or the N273/N275/N279. ↗ rijkswaterstaat.nl
N3 Papendrecht – Papendrechtsebrugfrom 2026-07 until 2027-04🚚 mainly trucks From 17 July 2026 to 21 April 2027 the Papendrechtsebrug (N3) is closed to all road traffic for renovation. Trucks detour via the A15/A16 (Drechttunnel). Afterwards the current weight limit will be lifted. ↗ rijkswaterstaat.nl
N Norway 1
Rv110 Fredrikstad – Fredrikstadbruafrom 2026-02 🚚 mainly trucks Since 1 February 2026 the Fredrikstad bridge (Rv110) has a 28 t weight limit. Heavier trucks must take another route (e.g. via the E6) or split their load. ↗ vegvesen.no
PL Poland 1
A2 Warszawa – Łódźfrom 2026-07 until 2029 Widening of the A2 between Warsaw (Konotopa) and Łódź, 92 km. Two narrower lanes each way stay open, 70–90 km/h with average-speed checks. Until mid-2029. ↗ gov.pl
SLO Slovenia 1
A1 Domžale – Ljubljana (Zadobrova)from 2025-09 until 2027-12 Third lane being added on the A1 Maribor–Ljubljana between Domžale and Zadobrova. Narrowed lanes, 60–80 km/h. Affects traffic from Graz/Maribor to Ljubljana and the coast. ↗ dars.si
S Sweden 1
E45 Strömsund – Strömsundsbronfrom 2026-09 🚚 mainly trucks Since 30 September 2026 the Strömsund bridge (E45) has been fully closed after damage caused by a heavy transport; no reopening date yet. Detour via roads 795 and 345 (50 km/h advised); an emergency ferry is being prepared. ↗ trafikverket.se
UK United Kingdom 1
M48 Severn Bridgefrom 2025-05 until 2027-01🚚 mainly trucks Since May 2025 the M48 Severn Bridge has been closed to HGVs over 7.5 t; use the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge (about 14 miles extra). From early 2027 a signal-controlled system should let limited numbers of HGVs cross again. ↗ punchline-gloucester.com
✓ Prices and rules checked on 24 October 2026
🛂
EES and ETIAS: new border rules for non-EU travellers
What is changing at the Schengen border, for whom, and how many days may you stay?
Who is affected? Only people without an EU, EEA or Swiss passport and without a residence permit in an EU country, for example British and American travellers. With an EU passport nothing changes.
EES (Entry/Exit System) has been fully in use since 10 April 2026. At your first border crossing your face and four fingerprints are registered; passport stamps are no longer used.
By car: at Dover and at the Eurotunnel in Folkestone registration takes place before the crossing. Everyone in the car must register (children under 12 only with a photo); expect longer waits, especially in the holidays.
At Schengen's external borders (for example from Serbia into Croatia or Hungary, or from Ukraine into Poland) you can also expect waiting times. There are no EES checks within Schengen.
ETIAS is an online travel authorisation costing €20, valid for 3 years (or until your passport expires), for people who may enter Schengen without a visa. Its launch has been postponed to 2027, followed by a transition period. Beware of fake websites that charge more.
You may stay in the Schengen area for at most 90 days in any 180-day period. EES tracks this automatically; overstaying can lead to a fine or an entry ban.
Ireland and Cyprus do not take part in EES; their own border checks apply.
90/180-day calculator
Enter your stays in the Schengen area. You will see straight away how many days you have used and how many are left on the chosen date.
Arrival and departure days both count. This is a guide; the border guard's official calculation prevails.
Countries that have temporarily reintroduced checks at internal borders, as notified to the European Commission. Mostly spot checks; expect delays at busy crossings.
DGermanyUntil 15 Mar 2027 All land borders: NL, BE, LU, FR, CH, AT, CZ, PL and DK. Mainly spot checks at the NL, BE, LU, FR and DK borders. Delays possible from Austria (Suben A3, Walserberg A8, Kiefersfelden A93), Poland (A12, A11, A15, A4) and Czechia (A17). ↗ adac.de
AAustriaUntil 15 Mar 2027 Land borders with Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary and Slovenia. No checks are notified at the borders with Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Italy. ↗ home-affairs.ec.europa.eu
FFranceUntil 30 Apr 2027 All internal borders (land, air, sea) with BE, LU, DE, CH, IT and ES. Checks on entry, mostly random. ↗ home-affairs.ec.europa.eu
IItalyUntil 18 Dec 2026 Land border with Slovenia. Italy does not check at its borders with Austria, Switzerland and France. ↗ home-affairs.ec.europa.eu
DKDenmarkUntil 11 May 2027 Land and sea borders with Germany (including ferries). Variable checks on entry from Germany. ↗ home-affairs.ec.europa.eu
SSwedenUntil 11 May 2027 All internal borders (land, air, sea), including the Øresund Bridge from Denmark. Checks also at ferry ports. Keep your ID to hand. ↗ home-affairs.ec.europa.eu
NNorwayUntil 11 May 2027 Ports with ferry connections to the Schengen area. Applies to arrivals by ferry, e.g. from Denmark or Germany. Not the land border with Sweden. ↗ home-affairs.ec.europa.eu
PLPolandUntil 30 Mar 2027 Land borders with Germany and Lithuania. Checks on entry from Germany and Lithuania. Expect delays at busy crossings. ↗ home-affairs.ec.europa.eu
Every traveller, including children, needs a valid passport or ID card. Also carry your driving licence and the car's registration document.
Checks are mostly random, but on busy travel days queues can build at major crossings. Check traffic information before you go.
The Netherlands ended its temporary border controls on 30 September 2026. The Marechaussee still carries out mobile checks near the Belgian and German borders.
EES and ETIAS only apply to non-EU travellers at Schengen external borders, not to these internal border checks.
Exit bans (through traffic)
On busy travel days, through traffic may not leave the motorway to bypass jams. Overview of the rules in Austria and Germany.
ATyrol – Innsbruck, Seefeld and Wipptal Where: Local roads on the Seefeld plateau (Seefeld, Reith, Scharnitz, Leutasch), in Innsbruck (L9, L32) and in Völs, Zirl, Kematen, Natters, Mutters and Telfs. Metering lights on the B182 (Brenner). When: 1 May–1 Nov 2026: Sat, Sun and public holidays plus 29 May and 2 Oct, 7am–7pm. Winter 2025/26: 27 Dec–1 Mar. Winter 2026/27 not yet announced. ↗ tirol.gv.at
ATyrol – Kufstein Where: Detour routes along the A12/A93: L211 (Kirchbichl/Langkampfen), Endach, L295 Ebbs, Niederndorf, Eiberg (B173), Einfangstraße, Klammstraße and, new in 2026, the B175 and roads in Walchsee. When: 1 May–1 Nov 2026: Sat, Sun and public holidays plus 29 May and 2 Oct, 7am–7pm. Winter 2025/26: 20 Dec–6 Apr. Winter 2026/27 not yet announced. ↗ tirol.gv.at
ATyrol – Reutte (Fernpass) Where: L288 towards Pinswang/Pflach, L69 from Vils, the Pflach access road from the Reutte Nord exit and the Heiterwang access road. Day trips to the Lechtal or Tannheim valley are not exempt. When: 1 May–1 Nov 2026: Sat, Sun and public holidays plus 29 May and 2 Oct, 7am–7pm. Winter 2025/26: 20 Dec–6 Apr. Winter 2026/27 not yet announced. ↗ tirol.gv.at
ATyrol – Imst (Nassereith) Where: The turn-off from the B189 at Dormitz towards Nassereith and the roads through Nassereith village. Holiday guests in Nassereith must carry their booking confirmation. When: 1 May–1 Nov 2026: Sat, Sun and public holidays plus 29 May and 2 Oct, 7am–7pm. Winter 2025/26: 20 Dec–6 Apr. Winter 2026/27 not yet announced. ↗ tirol.gv.at
ASalzburg – A10 Tauern motorway Where: Exits from Puch-Urstein to Zederhaus (incl. Hallein, Kuchl, Golling, Werfen, Flachau): leave only if your destination is in Austria. On some Saturdays exits were fully closed. When: Summer 2026 (holiday period) until 13 September. The 2027 season has not yet been announced. ↗ salzburg24.at
AVorarlberg – S16 Klostertal (Arlberg) Where: S16 towards the Arlberg: Bings on- and off-ramp, Braz-West exit, Braz-Ost entry and Langen entry. No restrictions on the A14. When: Winter 2025/26: Saturdays 14, 21 and 28 February, 8am–6pm. Winter 2026/27 not yet announced. ↗ adac.de
DBavaria – A8, A93, A7 and B2 Where: A8 Holzkirchen–Piding (incl. Irschenberg, Rosenheim, Bernau), A93 Reischenhart and Brannenburg (only when the A8 is jammed), A7 Nesselwang–Füssen towards Austria, B2/B23 Farchant southbound. When: Friday to Sunday and on public holidays, whenever there is a jam. Signs: no-entry sign with the plate "für Ausweichverkehr bei Stau auf der Autobahn". Fine: From €50, and the police will turn you back. ↗ adac.de
Stay on the motorway in a jam. On peak days detours over local roads are banned and the police will turn you back.
Navigation apps may still route you onto banned roads. Follow the road signs on site, not the app.
Destination, origin and local traffic is exempt, such as guests and visitors. Carry your booking confirmation or the exact destination address.
In Tyrol the bans apply to selected regional and local roads; the motorway exits themselves stay open. The Fernpass road B179 and the Kufstein through-road (B171) are not affected.
On the calendar
What is changing, now and next
In forceTransport
Denmark: since 1 January 2025 a per-km KmToll for trucks over 12 t, priced by CO₂ class. Fine without valid registration: DKK 4,500 (about €600). Extension to 3.5 t is planned.
In forceCustoms & logisticsTransport
ICS2 Release 3: road carriers must file an Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) before arriving in the EU. No transition period in e.g. the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Czechia and Sweden.
In forceDrivers
Brussels bans Euro 5 diesel and Euro 2 petrol. Antwerp and Ghent postpone the same step.
In forceCustoms & logistics
CBAM definitive period: importing more than 50 t a year of cement, iron and steel, aluminium, fertilisers or electricity requires authorised CBAM declarant status. Indirect customs representatives always need it. Certificates are bought from 2027; the first annual declaration for 2026 is due in September 2027.
In forceTransport
Big toll increases in 2026: Poland e-TOLL about +45%, Hungary HU-GO about +35%, Austria GO-Maut +10–13%. Recalculate your freight rates.
In forceDrivers
Germany: new EV subsidy for private buyers of new cars first registered from 1 Jan 2026 (leasing included): €3,000 for a BEV, €1,500 for a plug-in hybrid, up to €6,000 depending on household income (max €80,000–€90,000) and children. The car must be kept for 36 months; used cars are excluded.
In forceTransportCustoms & logistics
Entry/Exit System (EES) fully live: non-EU drivers give fingerprints and a facial image at every crossing. Waits reached up to 5 hours in the summer peak.
In forceDrivers
French Constitutional Council strikes down the abolition of ZFE zones: Crit'Air stays compulsory.
In forceDriversTransport
EU: the Council adopted the End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation on 29 June 2026; it bans exporting used vehicles that are no longer roadworthy and applies after transition periods. Separately, the roadworthiness package (digital registration certificates, odometer data exchange, yearly tests for cars over 10 years) is still being negotiated.
In forceCustoms & logistics
End of duty relief for consignments up to €150: €3 duty per item (per tariff line) until 1 July 2028. The declarant pays, usually the seller or indirect representative.
In forceTransport
Netherlands: since 1 July 2026 a per-km truck charge applies to all trucks over 3.5 t (N2/N3), foreign ones included. A working toll box is compulsory. A temporary 22.3% discount applies from 1 September to 31 December 2026.
In forceTransport
Vans of 2.5 to 3.5 t in international transport or cabotage: since 1 July 2026 a smart tachograph (G2V2) is compulsory, plus driving and rest times (max 9 h a day, 56 a week, 90 per two weeks, 45 min break after 4.5 h).
In forceDrivers
Bulgaria raises all vignette prices by about 30%.
In forceDrivers
Romania's rovinieta is now priced by Euro standard.
In forceTransport
Romania: since 1 October 2026 TollRo (per-km toll) replaces the rovinieta for trucks over 3.5 t.
ComingCustoms & logistics
Product identifiers (PIDs) become mandatory in declarations for low-value consignments.
ComingDrivers
Euro 7 for new car and van type approvals: limits for brake dust and EV battery durability for the first time. From end of November 2027 for all newly registered cars.
ComingDrivers
Sales of Austria's 2027 vignette start, digital only. The red 2026 sticker stays valid until 31 January 2027.
ComingCustoms & logistics
EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) for large and medium companies: due diligence statement for wood, soy, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, rubber and cattle, among others. Small companies largely from 30 June 2027.
ComingDrivers
Greater Paris starts fining Crit'Air 3 cars in its ZFE.
ComingCustoms & logistics
CBAM: importers must buy CBAM certificates each quarter covering at least 50% of embedded emissions. The first annual declaration for 2026 follows in September 2027.
ComingDrivers
Netherlands: employers pay a 12% pseudo-final levy on non-zero-emission company cars made available for private use from 1 Jan 2027; Euro 5 vans lose access to zero-emission zones and Utrecht's citywide zone bans diesel cars up to Euro 4. The proposed BPM changes also target this date.
ComingDriversTransport
Croatia switches to Crolibertas: barrier-free tolling on the whole motorway network.
ComingDrivers
Tighter collection of foreign traffic fines: EU countries exchange vehicle owner data automatically, and hit-and-run is now included.
ComingCustoms & logisticsTransport
A UK–EU food and plant health (SPS) agreement is expected in 2027: fewer checks and less paperwork for agri-food goods between Great Britain and the EU.
ComingCustoms & logistics
EUDR applies to micro and small enterprises (for most products).
ComingTransportCustoms & logistics
eFTI: authorities must accept electronic freight information via certified platforms. The e-CMR is already used domestically in the Netherlands, France and Spain.
ComingDriversTransport
ETS2: carbon trading for road transport and building fuels starts, a year later than planned. Suppliers pass on the cost, so petrol and diesel get more expensive.
ComingTransport
Denmark extends KmToll to almost the whole public road network (about 75,000 km). Extension to trucks from 3.5 t is planned.
ComingTransport
Euro 7 for new truck and bus type approvals (tighter NOx and particle limits); from May 2029 for all models.
ComingCustoms & logistics
EU customs reform: the EU Customs Authority (Lille) and the EU Customs Data Hub start for distance sellers and IOSS. The temporary €3 duty gives way to normal duty rates, plus a handling fee per item. The seller becomes the importer.
ComingDrivers
Milan Area B and C also ban Euro 6 A-B-C diesel and Euro 4 petrol.
ComingDrivers
New EU driving licence rules apply after transposition: a digital licence in the EU wallet, accompanied driving from 17 across the EU, and a driving ban for serious offences (such as 50 km/h over or drink-driving) applies EU-wide.
ComingDriversTransport
EU CO2 targets: new cars −55% and vans −50% versus 2021 (the Commission proposes 40% for vans); new trucks −45% versus 2019, then −65% in 2035 and −90% in 2040. For 2025–2027 carmakers may average compliance over three years.
ComingTransport
End of the German toll exemption for zero-emission trucks over 4.25 t (30 June 2031). Factor this into the residual value of electric trucks you sell now.
ComingCustoms & logistics
EU Customs Data Hub mandatory for all businesses (voluntary from 1 March 2031). National customs systems are replaced by one EU portal.
ComingDrivers
Current law requires a 100% CO2 cut for new cars and vans from 2035, in effect only zero-emission new sales. On 16 Dec 2025 the Commission proposed 90% with compensation of remaining emissions; Council positions still differ and a European Parliament plenary vote is expected in November 2026.
📬 E-mail me when things change
Choose your countries. You only get an e-mail when rules or prices change there, such as tolls, vignettes or low-emission zones.
On the road
Speed limits
Speed limits by road type
In km/h unless stated. Local signs always take priority. Many countries set lower limits in rain, when towing a caravan and for novice drivers.
Built-up area
Outside towns
Expressway
Motorway
A Austria
50
100
100
130
CH Switzerland
50
80
100
120
D Germany
50
100
–
130*
NL Netherlands
50
80
100
100 / 130
B Belgium
30–50
70 / 90
120
120
L Luxembourg
50
90
–
130
F France
50
80
110
130
I Italy
50
90
110
130
E Spain
50
90
–
120
P Portugal
50
90
100
120
CZ Czech Republic
50
90
110
130
SK Slovakia
50
90
–
130
SLO Slovenia
50
90
110
130
HR Croatia
50
90
110
130
H Hungary
50
90
110
130
PL Poland
50
90
120
140
DK Denmark
50
80
–
130
S Sweden
50
70–100
–
110–120
N Norway
50
80
–
90–110
BG Bulgaria
50
90
–
140
RO Romania
50
90
100
130
UK United Kingdom
30 mph
60 mph
70 mph
70 mph
IRL Ireland
50
60–100
100
120
GR Greece
30–50
90
110
130
FIN Finland
50
80–100
100
100–120
EST Estonia
50
90
100–110
110–120
LV Latvia
50
90
100–110
–
LT Lithuania
50
90
110–120
110–130
CY Cyprus
50
80
–
100
M Malta
50
80
80
–
* Germany: advisory 130. Netherlands: by day (6 am–7 pm) usually 100. Trucks: the lower figure often applies from 7.5 or 12 t or with a trailer.
On the road
General rules on the road
General rules and tips for driving around Europe: documents, borders, fines, charging and peak traffic.
Documents to carry
An EU/EEA driving licence is valid in all 30 countries, including Switzerland and the UK. You do not need an International Driving Permit there.
Carry the original vehicle registration certificate. In the EU, EEA and Switzerland the number plate counts as proof of insurance; a green card is not required but useful after an accident.
Borrowed or company car? Bring a signed letter of authorisation from the owner. Rental car: keep the rental agreement handy and check in advance that cross-border trips are allowed.
Temporary Schengen internal border controls (October 2026): Germany, Austria, France, Italy (border with Slovenia), Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Poland. Always carry a passport or ID card.
Since 12 October 2025 the Entry/Exit System (EES) registers non-EU travellers, such as Britons, with fingerprints and a photo at the Schengen external border. Nothing changes for EU citizens.
ETIAS (€20, valid 3 years, only for visa-exempt non-EU nationals) has not started yet. There is no official start date; the EU will announce it several months ahead.
UK: EU citizens need a passport and an ETA (£20, valid 2 years); an ID card is usually not accepted. Switzerland and Norway are in Schengen but not in the EU customs union, so expect customs checks.
In a jam on multi-lane roads, the leftmost lane moves left and all other lanes move right. This leaves a clear path for emergency services. Form it as soon as traffic slows to a crawl.
Mandatory in DE, AT, CH, BE, LU, CZ, SK, SI, HR, HU and PL, among others, and in Spain since 1 October 2026. NL, FR and IT have no corridor rule, but you must still let emergency vehicles through.
Germany: failing to form a corridor costs from €200 and 2 points; driving through it €240–320, 2 points and a 1-month ban. Austria: up to €726, or up to €2,180 for obstructing emergency vehicles.
Fines follow you home: EU countries share vehicle owner data for speeding, red lights, alcohol, drugs, seat belts and phone use, among others. More offences will be added by July 2027.
In many countries foreign drivers must pay on the spot or leave a deposit. Refuse, and the car or licence may be held. Always ask for an official receipt.
A driving ban usually applies only in the country that imposed it. New EU rules will make bans for serious offences valid across the EU from November 2029.
Holding a phone while driving is banned everywhere. France also bans earpieces and headsets (€135, 3 points); hands-free through the car's speakers is allowed.
Radar detectors are banned in almost every country, often even carrying one. In Switzerland and France, among others, the device can be confiscated.
Camera-alert apps and sat-nav warnings: banned in Germany (€75, 1 point) and Switzerland; in France only as a general 'danger zone'. Allowed in most other countries.
AFIR: new public chargers (since 13 April 2024) must work without a subscription. New fast chargers of 50 kW or more have a terminal for debit or credit cards.
Existing fast chargers of 50 kW or more on the main European routes (TEN-T) must accept payment cards by 1 January 2027. The price must be shown clearly in advance.
Type 2 (AC) and CCS2 (DC) are the standard across Europe. Bring your own Type 2 cable and plan stops ahead: away from main routes in southern and eastern Europe, chargers are further apart.
Across the EU, child seats must be approved to UN R44 or R129 (i-Size). R44 seats have not been sold in the EU since September 2024, but you may keep using them.
The limit varies: 135 cm in NL, BE, AT, ES, the UK and Scandinavia, among others; 150 cm in DE, CH, IT, PL and CZ, among others. France goes by age: under 10. See the table.
Rear-facing seat in the front? Always switch off the passenger airbag.
Summer: the busiest days are the Saturdays in late July and early August (France's 'black Saturdays'). Leave on a weekday or very early.
School holidays are staggered by region (NL north/central/south; Germany by state). Known hotspots: Germany's A7 and A8, the Brenner, Tauern, the Gotthard tunnel and France's A6/A7 heading south.
In Tyrol, selected regional and local roads close to through traffic on peak travel days; motorway exits stay open. Stay on the motorway; sat-nav detours often end with being turned back.
Many high Alpine passes, such as the Grossglockner, Stelvio, Furka, Grimsel and Iseran, close in winter, usually from late October/November until May or June. Check before you go.
At unsigned junctions, priority to the right applies almost everywhere. In Belgium and France this includes traffic from small side streets, especially in towns.
Zipper merging at a lane drop is mandatory in Germany, Austria, Belgium and Poland, among others: drive to the end of the lane, then merge in turn.
On roundabouts, traffic already on the roundabout usually has priority; watch the signs. In the UK, Ireland, Cyprus and Malta you drive on the left and go clockwise.
By country: Emergency corridor · Child seat up to · Speed camera alerts
Country
Emergency corridor
Child seat up to
Speed camera alerts
A Austria
mandatory
< 135 cm / 14
allowed
B Belgium
mandatory
< 135 cm
allowed
BG Bulgaria
no
–
–
HR Croatia
mandatory
< 150 cm
–
CY Cyprus
no
< 135 cm
–
CZ Czech Republic
mandatory
< 150 cm / 36 kg
allowed
DK Denmark
no
< 135 cm
–
EST Estonia
no
< 135 cm
–
FIN Finland
no
< 135 cm
allowed
F France
no
– / 10
partly
D Germany
mandatory
< 150 cm / 12
banned
GR Greece
no
< 135 cm / 12
–
H Hungary
mandatory
< 150 cm
–
IRL Ireland
no
< 150 cm / 36 kg
–
I Italy
no
< 150 cm
allowed
LV Latvia
no
–
–
LT Lithuania
no
< 135 cm
–
L Luxembourg
mandatory
< 150 cm / 17
allowed
M Malta
no
–
–
NL Netherlands
no
< 135 cm
allowed
N Norway
no
< 135 cm
–
PL Poland
mandatory
< 150 cm
–
P Portugal
no
< 135 cm / 12
allowed
RO Romania
no
< 135 cm
–
SK Slovakia
mandatory
< 150 cm / 36 kg
–
SLO Slovenia
mandatory
< 150 cm
–
E Spain
mandatory
< 135 cm
allowed
S Sweden
no
< 135 cm
–
CH Switzerland
mandatory
< 150 cm / 12
banned
UK United Kingdom
no
< 135 cm / 12
–
Child seat: required below this height / age. On-the-spot fine: foreign drivers may have to pay at once or leave a deposit.
🧒
Rules inside the car
Child seats, phones, smoking and spare fuel: what applies in each country, based on legislation, authorities and motoring clubs.
General
Child seats must be approved to UN R44 or R129 (i-Size). The EU rule applies up to 150 cm, but countries may use 135 cm. The rules of the country you drive in apply.
Rear-facing seat in the front? Across the EU this is only allowed with the passenger airbag switched off.
Holding a phone while driving is banned in all 30 countries; hands-free calls are allowed. France, Spain and Portugal also ban headphones or earbuds; Italy allows only one earpiece.
Ferries: spare fuel cans are banned on ships to the UK, Ireland and Cyprus (ADAC, Irish Ferries). Ferries to Scandinavia may ban them too: ask the operator.
Spare fuel: always use an approved can (UN marking). ADAC advises never carrying more than 10 litres, even where more is allowed.
A Austria
🧒 Child seat: Children under 14 and shorter than 135 cm need a suitable child seat. Rear-facing seat in front only with the airbag off.
📱 Phone and headphones: Hands-free only. Holding a phone costs €100 on the spot (up to €140 if reported). Allowed when parked or when traffic is at a complete standstill, not in stop-and-go.
🚭 Smoking: Smoking (including e-cigarettes) is banned when anyone under 18 is in the car. Fine up to €100, up to €1,000 for repeat offences.
⛽ Spare fuel (jerrycan): According to ADAC, up to 10 litres in an approved can are allowed.
🧒 Child seat: Children under 150 cm need a child seat; from 135 cm the adult belt is allowed, but only in the rear. Under 150 cm not in front with an active airbag.
📱 Phone and headphones: Holding a phone while driving is banned; fine €130.
⛽ Spare fuel (jerrycan): According to ADAC, up to 10 litres in an approved can are allowed.
🧒 Child seat: Children up to 135 cm need a child seat, from 135 to 150 cm a booster. The front seat is allowed but switch the airbag off; police advise under-16s to sit in the rear.
📱 Phone and headphones: Holding a phone while driving is banned; fine €150.
🚭 Smoking: Smoking (including e-cigarettes) is banned with children under 16 in the car; fine up to €85.
🧒 Child seat: Children up to 36 kg and up to 150 cm need a child seat. There is no age limit for the front seat. Rear-facing seat in front only with the airbag off.
📱 Phone and headphones: Holding a phone while driving is banned; fine from about €105.
⛽ Spare fuel (jerrycan): According to ADAC, up to 10 litres in an approved can are allowed.
🧒 Child seat: Children under 10 need a child seat and may not sit in front, unless there are no rear seats or they are all taken by children under 10. Rear-facing in front only with the airbag off.
📱 Phone and headphones: Holding a phone costs €135 and 3 points. Earbuds and headphones are banned too (€135, 3 points); hands-free through the car's speakers is allowed.
🚭 Smoking: Smoking and vaping are banned when a minor (under 18) is in the car. Usually a €135 fine, up to €750.
⛽ Spare fuel (jerrycan): According to ADAC, up to 10 litres in an approved can are allowed.
🧒 Child seat: Children under 12 and shorter than 150 cm need a child seat. Rear-facing seat in front only with the airbag off.
📱 Phone and headphones: Holding a phone costs €100 and 1 point. Only allowed when the car is stationary with the engine fully off; start-stop does not count.
⛽ Spare fuel (jerrycan): Up to 60 litres per can and 240 litres per vehicle, in approved (UN or RKK) cans. ADAC advises no more than 10 litres.
🧒 Child seat: Children under 3 need a child seat, as do children under 12 who are shorter than 135 cm. Rear-facing seat in front only with the airbag off.
📱 Phone and headphones: Holding a phone costs €350, 3 points and 30 days without your licence. Repeat offences within 5 years: €1,000 to €2,000.
🚭 Smoking: Smoking (including e-cigarettes) is banned with children under 12 in the car; fine up to €1,500.
⛽ Spare fuel (jerrycan): According to ADAC, carrying fuel in a spare can is prohibited here.
🧒 Child seat: Children under 150 cm need a suitable child seat. The anti-abandonment alarm for under-4s applies only to Italian-registered cars and residents of Italy.
📱 Phone and headphones: Holding a phone costs €250–1,000 and your licence can be suspended. Hands-free or one earpiece is allowed (if you hear well with both ears); headphones are not.
🚭 Smoking: Smoking is banned with minors or a pregnant woman in the car: €25–250, doubled (€50–500) with children under 12 or a pregnant woman.
⛽ Spare fuel (jerrycan): According to ADAC, up to 10 litres in an approved can are allowed.
🧒 Child seat: Under 3: always a child seat. Ages 3 to 17 under 150 cm: also a child seat; over 36 kg the rear belt is allowed. Rear-facing seat in front only with the airbag off.
📱 Phone and headphones: Holding a phone costs €250 and 4 points.
🚭 Smoking: Smoking (including e-cigarettes) is banned with children under 12 in the car; fine €25–250.
⛽ Spare fuel (jerrycan): According to ADAC, carrying fuel in a spare can is prohibited here.
🧒 Child seat: Children under 135 cm need a child seat. From age 3 the rear belt is enough if two child seats are in use or for occasional trips with others.
📱 Phone and headphones: Holding a phone while driving costs €440. According to ANWB it is allowed while stationary, e.g. at traffic lights or in a stationary jam.
⛽ Spare fuel (jerrycan): According to ADAC, up to 10 litres in an approved can are allowed.
🧒 Child seat: Children under 135 cm must always use an approved seat; from 135 to 150 cm if one is in the car. Children under 140 cm should avoid seats with an active front airbag.
📱 Phone and headphones: Holding a phone while driving is banned; fine about €935.
🚭 Smoking: Smoking in the car is banned when anyone under 18 is on board.
🧒 Child seat: Children under 150 cm need a child seat; from 135 cm the rear belt is allowed if no seat fits. Rear-facing in front: airbag off. Fine 300 zł and 5 points.
📱 Phone and headphones: Holding a phone costs 500 zł and 12 penalty points.
⛽ Spare fuel (jerrycan): According to ADAC, up to 10 litres in an approved can are allowed.
🧒 Child seat: Children under 12 and shorter than 135 cm need a child seat. Front seat from age 12 or 135 cm; under 3 only rear-facing with the airbag off. Fine €120–600 per child.
📱 Phone and headphones: Holding a phone costs €120–600. Headphones are banned; one earpiece for hands-free calls is allowed.
⛽ Spare fuel (jerrycan): According to ADAC, up to 10 litres in an approved can are allowed.
🧒 Child seat: Children up to 135 cm need a child seat and must ride in the rear. Exceptions: no rear seats, rear seats taken by other children in seats, or not all seats fit.
📱 Phone and headphones: Holding a phone costs €200 and 6 points. Headphones and earbuds are banned too (€200, 3 points).
⛽ Spare fuel (jerrycan): According to ADAC, up to 10 litres in an approved can are allowed.
🧒 Child seat: Children under 12 and shorter than 150 cm need a child seat (R44/R129). They may sit in front at any age; rear-facing only with the airbag off. Fine CHF 60.
📱 Phone and headphones: Holding a phone while driving is banned; fine CHF 100.
⛽ Spare fuel (jerrycan): According to ADAC, up to 25 litres in approved cans are allowed.
🧒 Child seat: Child seat until age 12 or 135 cm tall, whichever comes first. Rear-facing seat in front only with the front airbags switched off.
📱 Phone and headphones: Holding a phone costs £200 and 6 points, also when stopped at traffic lights or queuing in traffic. Only allowed when safely parked.
🚭 Smoking: Smoking in a car is banned when anyone under 18 is in it. Fine £50 in England and Wales, £100 in Scotland; Northern Ireland also has a ban.
Country by country: can you use a dashcam and be warned about speed cameras, based on official sources and motoring clubs.
General tips
Dashcam footage showing recognisable people or number plates is personal data (GDPR). Don't post it online without consent; only hand it to the police, your insurer or a court.
Mount the dashcam and sat-nav so they don't block your view, and don't operate them while driving. Ideally choose a camera that only saves short clips after an incident.
Before Germany and Switzerland, switch off camera alerts in sat-navs and apps. In Switzerland even an unused device is an offence. France shows only danger zones.
Radar detectors are banned in almost all of Europe, often even carrying one, and the device can be confiscated. Jammers are banned everywhere, including the UK.
Whether dashcam footage counts as evidence is up to the courts in each country. After a crash, tell the other party you have footage, note it on the accident report and don't edit the original.
A Austria 📷Allowed with restrictions📡Allowed with restrictions
📷 DashcamAllowed with restrictions Continuous recording is not allowed under data-protection law. Only short clips saved automatically after an incident (impact, hard braking) are accepted.
📡 Speed-camera warningsAllowed with restrictions Sat-navs and apps showing speed-camera locations (POI) are allowed. Radar detectors and jammers are banned: fine up to €10,000 and the device is confiscated.
📷 DashcamAllowed Allowed for private use, e.g. as evidence after a crash; tell the other party you have footage. Posting it online without consent is not allowed.
📡 Speed-camera warningsAllowed with restrictions Apps such as Waze that show speed cameras are allowed. Radar detectors are banned: fine from €800 or prison.
📷 DashcamAllowed Allowed for personal use. Don't publish footage of identifiable people without consent.
📡 Speed-camera warningsAllowed with restrictions Apps showing speed cameras are allowed. Using or fitting radar detectors and jammers is banned (fine).
📷 DashcamAllowed Allowed: a 2026 law permits cameras in vehicles, e.g. as accident evidence. Sharing footage showing third parties without consent is banned.
📡 Speed-camera warningsAllowed with restrictions Apps such as Waze are allowed; police publish fixed camera sites themselves. Limits on alerts about police checks are under discussion (2026).
📷 DashcamAllowed Allowed for private use. Footage may go to the police or insurer; posting it on social media requires consent of the people shown.
📡 Speed-camera warningsAllowed Apps and passive radar detectors are allowed. Jammers that disrupt speed measurement are banned (fine; the device can be seized).
📷 DashcamAllowed Recording for yourself is allowed, as is giving footage to the police or insurer. Post it online only with people and plates made unrecognisable.
📡 Speed-camera warningsAllowed with restrictions Apps showing speed cameras are allowed. Don't use a radar detector or jammer.
📷 DashcamAllowed Allowed. Don't post footage of identifiable people online; give recordings to the police or your insurer. The camera must not block your view.
📡 Speed-camera warningsAllowed with restrictions Apps may show only "danger zones", not exact cameras; alerts near some police checks are temporarily blocked. Radar detector: up to €1,500, 6 points, device seized.
📷 DashcamAllowed with restrictions Allowed for short, incident-triggered recording (loop recording). Continuous filming breaches GDPR; after a crash, courts may still accept the footage.
📡 Speed-camera warningsProhibited Apps and sat-navs showing speed cameras may not be used while driving: €75 and 1 point, even if a passenger warns you. Radar detectors are also banned.
GR Greece 📷Allowed with restrictions📡Allowed with restrictions
📷 DashcamAllowed with restrictions There are no clear rules. Recording to prove an accident is tolerated; continuous filming and publishing footage may breach data-protection law.
📡 Speed-camera warningsAllowed with restrictions Apps showing speed cameras are allowed. Radar detectors are banned: fine from €2,000 and a 30-day driving ban.
📷 DashcamAllowed with restrictions Not banned, but the data-protection authority NAIH says no continuous recording: keep footage briefly, store it securely and don't publish it.
📡 Speed-camera warningsAllowed Apps and passive radar detectors are not banned. Jammers that disrupt speed measurement are prohibited (fine).
📷 DashcamAllowed Allowed. The Data Protection Commission advises a sign on the vehicle, keeping footage only as long as needed and not posting it online.
📡 Speed-camera warningsAllowed with restrictions Apps showing speed-camera zones are allowed. Radar detectors are illegal.
📷 DashcamAllowed Allowed for private use; footage can serve as evidence. Publishing images of identifiable people requires consent.
📡 Speed-camera warningsAllowed with restrictions Apps and sat-navs flagging fixed speed cameras are allowed. Devices that detect active speed checks (radar detectors) are banned: fine and confiscation.
📷 DashcamAllowed Allowed for private use; GDPR applies when you share footage.
📡 Speed-camera warningsAllowed with restrictions Apps showing speed cameras are allowed. Devices that detect or disrupt speed measurement are banned (high fines).
L Luxembourg 📷Allowed with restrictions📡Allowed with restrictions
📷 DashcamAllowed with restrictions The data-protection authority CNPD says dashcams on public roads are hard to reconcile with GDPR; at most very short recordings. Best not to use one.
📡 Speed-camera warningsAllowed with restrictions Warning apps and camera POI in sat-navs are allowed. Radar detectors are banned: fine up to €5,000 or prison.
📷 DashcamAllowed Allowed for private use. Don't publish footage of identifiable people.
📡 Speed-camera warningsAllowed with restrictions No ban on apps showing speed cameras is known. The status of radar detectors is unclear: don't use one.
📷 DashcamAllowed Allowed; there is no specific law. Don't publish footage of recognisable people or plates without consent, and the camera must not block your view.
📡 Speed-camera warningsAllowed with restrictions Apps and sat-navs with speed-camera alerts, such as Flitsmeister and Waze, are allowed. Radar detectors and jammers are banned (fine).
📷 DashcamAllowed Allowed and widely used; footage can serve as evidence in court. Don't publish images of identifiable people.
📡 Speed-camera warningsAllowed with restrictions Apps such as Yanosik and CB-radio warnings are allowed. A radar detector may not be ready for use in the car (fine).
📷 DashcamProhibited The data-protection authority CNPD considers filming public roads with a dashcam unlawful (Law 58/2019). Don't use one while driving.
📡 Speed-camera warningsAllowed with restrictions Camera POI in sat-navs and apps showing speed cameras are allowed. Radar detectors are banned: fine of €500–2,500.
📷 DashcamAllowed There is no specific ban. The camera must not obstruct the driver's view; GDPR applies to publishing footage.
📡 Speed-camera warningsAllowed with restrictions Radar detectors and jammers are banned. The law on apps showing speed cameras is unclear; motoring clubs advise against them.
📷 DashcamAllowed Allowed for private use. Don't publish faces or number plates without consent; the camera must not block your view.
📡 Speed-camera warningsAllowed with restrictions Apps and "avisadores" using the official camera list are legal. Radar detector, even switched off: €500 and 3 points; jammer: €6,000 and 6 points.
CH Switzerland 📷Allowed with restrictions📡Prohibited
📷 DashcamAllowed with restrictions A dashcam is allowed if it doesn't block your view. Continuous filming breaches data protection; footage counts as evidence only in limited cases, mainly serious offences.
📡 Speed-camera warningsProhibited Any warning of speed checks is banned: apps, camera POI in sat-navs and radar detectors, even just carrying them. Fine; the device is confiscated and can be destroyed.
Average pump prices per country from the European Commission's Weekly Oil Bulletin and national sources.
National average incl. taxes; motorway stations are often dearer. As of: 19 Oct 2026.
Unleaded 95 (E10/E5)
Diesel
M Malta Cheapest
1.340 €
1.210 €
PL Poland
1.560 €
1.791 €
S Sweden
1.640 €
2.040 €
BG Bulgaria
1.646 €
1.884 €
SLO Slovenia
1.751 €
1.893 €
CY Cyprus
1.760 €
2.018 €
H Hungary
1.771 €
1.951 €
E Spain
1.781 €
1.889 €
L Luxembourg
1.788 €
2.081 €
HR Croatia
1.807 €
1.954 €
A Austria
1.817 €
2.132 €
CZ Czech Republic
1.862 €
1.953 €
SK Slovakia
1.885 €
1.952 €
RO Romania
1.895 €
2.044 €
LV Latvia
1.949 €
2.063 €
LT Lithuania
1.951 €
2.219 €
EST Estonia
1.954 €
2.062 €
IRL Ireland
1.971 €
2.137 €
B Belgium
1.989 €
2.351 €
I Italy
2.016 €
2.244 €
P Portugal
2.099 €
2.175 €
D Germany
2.179 €
2.266 €
GR Greece
2.191 €
2.126 €
F France
2.229 €
2.346 €
FIN Finland
2.327 €
2.532 €
NL Netherlands
2.391 €
2.456 €
DK Denmark Most expensive
2.605 €
2.502 €
CH Switzerland (16 Oct 2026)
2.16 CHF
2.45 CHF
UK United Kingdom (19 Oct 2026)
1.746 GBP
1.993 GBP
Fuelling tips
Motorway service stations are usually noticeably dearer than stations in towns and villages. Fill up before joining the motorway if you can.
Price gaps between neighbouring countries are mostly down to tax. Fill up before entering an expensive country and top up in a cheaper one.
Since 12 October 2018, pumps across the EU use the same labels: circle = petrol (E5, E10, E85), square = diesel (B7, B10, XTL), diamond = gas (LPG, CNG, LNG, H2). New cars show the same label by the filler cap.
E10 contains up to 10% ethanol and is not suitable for every older petrol car. Check the handbook or filler flap; if in doubt, use E5 (in some countries only sold as 98 octane).
LPG is also called Autogas (DE, AT), GPL (FR, IT, PT) or GLP (ES). Europe uses four filler connector types (ACME, Dish, Bayonet, Euronozzle), so bring the right adapter.
Charging on the road, payment and country rules for electric cars, based on EU rules, motoring clubs and official sources.
General tips
EU rules (AFIR): new public charge points must accept contactless card payment since 13 April 2024; existing fast chargers of 50 kW and above from 1 January 2027.
At fast chargers of 50 kW and above, the ad-hoc price per kWh must be shown at the charger. Watch out for extra per-minute fees or idle fees after a set time.
Roaming charging cards and apps such as Shell Recharge, Plugsurfing, EnBW or Chargemap work in many countries. Compare foreign tariffs and fixed fees beforehand.
Across Europe, CCS2 (fast charging) and Type 2 (AC) are the standard. Bring your own Type 2 cable: many AC charge points have no tethered cable.
Plan charging stops with the car's navigation or an app, filter by power and plug, and keep range for a backup charger. Many Tesla Superchargers are open to all makes.
Cold, snow, high speed and long mountain climbs cut range. Pre-heat the car while plugged in and expect noticeably less range in winter.
Charge before a ferry, car train or remote stretch: charging on board is usually not possible. Check the operator's conditions for electric cars.
A Austria
Charging network: Good fast-charging network along the motorways; operators include Ionity, Smatrics and Tesla.
Ad-hoc fast charging (cheapest–dearest operator):approx. €0.49–0.79/kWh (02/2026)
Electric cars also need a vignette; section tolls (e.g. Brenner, Tauern) apply too.
Long climbs use a lot of range; you recover some going downhill. Start Alpine passes well charged.
Charging network: Over 27,000 charge points, about 1,000 of them fast chargers; operators include Ionity, Fastned and Allego. Wallonia is less covered.
Ad-hoc fast charging (cheapest–dearest operator):approx. €0.69–0.84/kWh (02/2026)
Some operators raise the rate after a set charging time or above a certain state of charge.
Charging network: Growing network, mainly in western tourist areas and along motorways; operators include ELEN (HEP), Hrvatski Telekom, Ionity and Tesla. Plan your route.
Ad-hoc fast charging (cheapest–dearest operator):approx. €0.35–0.76/kWh (02/2026)
A hotel or apartment with charging makes a coastal holiday much easier; islands have fewer chargers.
Charging network: Fast chargers along the main motorways and a dense network in Prague; elsewhere it varies. Operators include ČEZ, PRE, Ionity and Tesla.
Ad-hoc fast charging (cheapest–dearest operator):approx. 11–21 CZK/kWh (02/2026)
Fully electric cars are exempt from the motorway vignette; foreign-registered cars must register for free in advance via edalnice.cz.
Charging network: Well developed, with fast chargers standard in cities and on motorways; rural coverage is patchier. Operators include Clever, Ionity, Circle K and Tesla.
Ad-hoc fast charging (cheapest–dearest operator):approx. 2.00–5.49 DKK/kWh (02/2026)
Municipalities may allow EVs in bus lanes; only use one marked with the green symbol.
Charging network: Good in the south and on routes to Lapland; large areas in eastern and central Finland have no public chargers. Operators include K-Lataus, ABC, Ionity and Tesla.
Ad-hoc fast charging (cheapest–dearest operator):approx. €0.30–0.67/kWh (02/2026)
Severe frost costs a lot of range and slows fast charging; precondition the battery and plan extra stops.
Charging network: Moderate near the Austrian border and in Budapest (mostly AC); fast chargers are rarer in the east and south. Operators include Mobiliti, MOL Plugee and Ionity.
Ad-hoc fast charging (cheapest–dearest operator):approx. 90–309 HUF/kWh (02/2026)
Ad-hoc payment is not (yet) possible at every charger; bring a charging card or app.
Charging network: Very dense in the south, sparse in the north; Recharge and Mer run most chargers, Ionity and Tesla at major hubs. Queues are possible.
Ad-hoc fast charging (cheapest–dearest operator):approx. 4.25–6.49 NOK/kWh (02/2026)
Electric cars pay at most 70% of the normal toll, but only with an AutoPASS agreement (toll tag). Order the tag well in advance.
In the north, distances between chargers are long and winters harsh: top up whenever you can.
Charging network: Public charge points belong to the national Mobi.E network; fast chargers on the main motorways, including Ionity, Powerdot and Tesla.
Ad-hoc fast charging (cheapest–dearest operator):approx. €0.41–0.79/kWh (02/2026)
Charging network: Good near the borders with AT, CZ and PL, in Bratislava and on main motorways; sparse in the south and east. Operators include GreenWay, ZSE Drive and Ionity.
Ad-hoc fast charging (cheapest–dearest operator):approx. €0.39–0.79/kWh (02/2026)
Charging network: Fast chargers on the main motorways are growing quickly, but sparsely populated stretches still have gaps; operators include Iberdrola, Endesa X Way, Zunder, Ionity and Tesla.
Ad-hoc fast charging (cheapest–dearest operator):approx. €0.25–0.65/kWh (02/2026)
Electric cars may enter low-emission zones (ZBE) freely in most cities; some cities offer free parking in blue/green zones.
Charging network: Good in cities and along main routes; plan ahead in rural areas and the north. Operators include Ionity, Tesla, Circle K, Mer and Recharge.
Ad-hoc fast charging (cheapest–dearest operator):approx. 2.99–8.00 SEK/kWh (02/2026)
In winter the north can be far below freezing: expect much less range and slower charging.
When do you need a parking disc, must you drive with lights on by day, who has priority and can you get clamped? Plus the parking apps you can use there.
Country
Parking disc
Lights by day
Priority and particulars
Clamping / towing
Parking apps
A Austria
Yes
Not compulsory (only in poor visibility)
Priority to the right at unsigned junctions
Trams have priority
Zipper merge compulsory
Form an emergency corridor in queues
Let buses pull out from stops
Towing
Handyparken, EasyPark, ParkNow
B Belgium
Yes
Not compulsory (only in poor visibility)
Priority to the right at unsigned junctions
Trams have priority
Zipper merge compulsory
Traffic on the roundabout has priority
Clamping, Towing
4411, EasyPark, PayByPhone, Yellowbrick
BG Bulgaria (estimate)
No
Always compulsory
Priority to the right at unsigned junctions
Trams have priority
Traffic on the roundabout has priority
Clamping, Towing
EasyPark
HR Croatia (estimate)
No
Compulsory in winter (late Oct – late Mar)
Priority to the right at unsigned junctions
Trams have priority
Traffic on the roundabout has priority
Towing
Bmove, EasyPark
CY Cyprus (estimate)
No
Not compulsory (only in poor visibility)
Drive on the left
Towing
–
CZ Czech Republic (estimate)
No
Always compulsory
Priority to the right at unsigned junctions
Trams have priority
Zipper merge compulsory
Form an emergency corridor in queues
Green arrow: turn right on red after stopping
Clamping, Towing
MPLA, EasyPark, ParkSimply
DK Denmark (estimate)
Yes
Always compulsory
Priority to the right at unsigned junctions
Turning traffic gives way to cyclists going straight on
Fines from private parking firms
EasyPark, ParkOne, Parkman
EST Estonia (estimate)
Yes
Always compulsory
Priority to the right at unsigned junctions
Trams have priority
Clamping, Towing
Pargi, EasyPark
FIN Finland (estimate)
Yes
Always compulsory
Priority to the right at unsigned junctions
Trams have priority
Zipper merge compulsory
Let buses pull out from stops
Towing
EasyPark, Moovy, ParkMan
F France
Yes
Recommended
Priority to the right at unsigned junctions
Traffic on the roundabout has priority
Clamping, Towing
PayByPhone, Flowbird, EasyPark, Indigo Neo
D Germany
Yes
Recommended
Priority to the right at unsigned junctions
Zipper merge compulsory
Form an emergency corridor in queues
Green arrow: turn right on red after stopping
Towing
EasyPark, PayByPhone, Parkster, Mobilet
GR Greece (estimate)
No
Not compulsory (only in poor visibility)
Priority to the right at unsigned junctions
Note: at many roundabouts entering traffic has priority
Police may remove number plates
Towing
–
H Hungary (estimate)
No
Compulsory outside built-up areas
Priority to the right at unsigned junctions
Trams have priority
Let buses pull out from stops
Clamping, Towing
Simple, EasyPark
IRL Ireland
Yes
Recommended
Drive on the left
Traffic on the roundabout has priority
Clamping, Towing
Parking Tag, PayByPhone, EasyPark
I Italy
Yes
Compulsory outside built-up areas
Priority to the right at unsigned junctions
Trams have priority
Restricted traffic zones (ZTL) with cameras: do not enter
Towing
EasyPark, MyCicero, Telepass, Flowbird
LV Latvia (estimate)
No
Always compulsory
Priority to the right at unsigned junctions
Trams have priority
Clamping, Towing
Mobilly, EasyPark
LT Lithuania (estimate)
No
Always compulsory
Priority to the right at unsigned junctions
Traffic on the roundabout has priority
Towing
m.Parking, Unipark, EasyPark
L Luxembourg (estimate)
Yes
Not compulsory (only in poor visibility)
Priority to the right at unsigned junctions
Traffic on the roundabout has priority
Zipper merge compulsory
Towing
OPnGO
M Malta (estimate)
No
Not compulsory (only in poor visibility)
Drive on the left
Clamping, Towing
–
NL Netherlands
Yes
Not compulsory (only in poor visibility)
Priority to the right at unsigned junctions
Trams have priority
Turning traffic gives way to cyclists going straight on
Clamping, Towing
EasyPark, Yellowbrick, Parkmobile, ParkBee
N Norway (estimate)
Yes
Always compulsory
Priority to the right at unsigned junctions
Trams have priority
Zipper merge compulsory
Let buses pull out from stops
Fines from private parking firms, Towing
EasyPark, Apcoa Flow
PL Poland (estimate)
No
Always compulsory
Priority to the right at unsigned junctions
Trams have priority
Zipper merge compulsory
Green arrow: turn right on red after stopping
Clamping, Towing
mobiParking, SkyCash, moBILET, EasyPark
P Portugal (estimate)
No
Not compulsory (only in poor visibility)
Priority to the right at unsigned junctions
Clamping, Towing
ePark, Via Verde Estacionar, EMEL, EasyPark
RO Romania (estimate)
No
Compulsory outside built-up areas
Priority to the right at unsigned junctions
Traffic on the roundabout has priority
Clamping, Towing
TPark, EasyPark
SK Slovakia (estimate)
No
Always compulsory
Priority to the right at unsigned junctions
Trams have priority
Zipper merge compulsory
Form an emergency corridor in queues
Clamping, Towing
PAAS, EasyPark, ParkDots
SLO Slovenia (estimate)
Yes
Always compulsory
Priority to the right at unsigned junctions
Traffic on the roundabout has priority
Form an emergency corridor in queues
Towing
EasyPark, Moja Ljubljana
E Spain
No
Not compulsory (only in poor visibility)
Priority to the right at unsigned junctions
Traffic on the roundabout has priority
Clamping, Towing
EasyPark, Telpark, ElParking
S Sweden (estimate)
Yes
Always compulsory
Priority to the right at unsigned junctions
Trams have priority
Zipper merge compulsory
Let buses pull out from stops
Towing
EasyPark, Parkster, Mobill
CH Switzerland
Yes
Always compulsory
Priority to the right at unsigned junctions
Trams have priority
Zipper merge compulsory
Let buses pull out from stops
Towing
EasyPark, ParkingPay, TWINT, PayByPhone
UK United Kingdom (estimate)
No
Not compulsory (only in poor visibility)
Drive on the left
Clamping, Towing
RingGo, PayByPhone, JustPark
Rules can differ by city; local signs always take precedence. Countries marked 'estimate' have not yet been fully checked against an official source.
🚕
Taxis by country: prices, apps and tipping
What does a taxi cost in the capital or best-known city, which apps work there, can you pay by card and do you tip?
Country / city
Flag fall
Per km
10 km (estimate)
Apps
Uber
Card
Tip
A Austria · Vienna
€3.80
€0.95
≈ €13.30
Uber, Bolt, Taxi 40100, Taxi 31300
Yes
Yes
Round up or about 10%
B Belgium · Brussels (estimate)
€2.60
€2.30
≈ €25.60
Uber, Heetch, Bolt, Taxis Verts
Yes
Yes
Not expected, round up at most
BG Bulgaria · Sofia (estimate)
€0.90
€0.80
≈ €8.90
Yellow Taxi, TaxiMe, OK Supertrans
No
Not always
Round up or about 10%
HR Croatia · Zagreb (estimate)
€2.60
€1.75
≈ €20.10
Uber, Bolt, Cammeo
Yes
Yes
Not expected, round up at most
CY Cyprus · Nicosia (estimate)
€3.42
€0.73
≈ €10.72
Bolt, Cyprus Taxi
No
Not always
Not expected, round up at most
CZ Czech Republic · Prague
CZK 70
CZK 42
≈ CZK 490
Bolt, Uber, Liftago
Yes
Yes
Round up or about 10%
DK Denmark · Copenhagen (estimate)
DKK 39.00
DKK 11.00
≈ DKK 149.00
DanTaxi, Taxa 4x35, Bolt, Uber
Licensed taxis only via the app
Yes
Service included
EST Estonia · Tallinn (estimate)
€5.50
€1.10
≈ €16.50
Bolt, Forus, Uber
Yes
Yes
Not expected, round up at most
FIN Finland · Helsinki (estimate)
€6.50
€1.80
≈ €24.50
Uber, Bolt, Taksi Helsinki, Menevä, Lähitaksi
Yes
Yes
Not expected, round up at most
F France · Paris
€4.48
€1.30
≈ €17.48
G7, Uber, Bolt, FREENOW, Heetch
Yes
Yes
Round up or about 10%
D Germany · Berlin (estimate)
€4.30
€2.80
≈ €32.30
FREENOW, Uber, Bolt, taxi.eu
Yes
Yes
Round up or about 10%
GR Greece · Athens
€1.80
€0.90
≈ €10.80
FREENOW, Uber, Taxiplon
Licensed taxis only via the app
Yes
Round up or about 10%
H Hungary · Budapest
HUF 1,300
HUF 521
≈ HUF 6,510
Bolt, Uber, Főtaxi, City Taxi, 6x6 Taxi
Licensed taxis only via the app
Yes
Round up or about 10%
IRL Ireland · Dublin
€4.40
€1.32
≈ €17.60
FREENOW, Uber, Bolt
Licensed taxis only via the app
Yes
Round up or about 10%
I Italy · Rome (estimate)
€3.50
€1.20
≈ €15.50
itTaxi, appTaxi, FREENOW, Uber
Yes
Yes
Not expected, round up at most
LV Latvia · Riga (estimate)
€2.50
€0.80
≈ €10.50
Bolt, Forus
No
Yes
Round up or about 10%
LT Lithuania · Vilnius (estimate)
€2.75
€1.10
≈ €13.75
Bolt, Uber, eTaksi
Yes
Yes
Round up or about 10%
L Luxembourg · Luxembourg City (estimate)
€4.20
€3.50
≈ €39.20
Webtaxi, Uber
Licensed taxis only via the app
Yes
Round up or about 10%
M Malta · Valletta (estimate)
€3.50
€1.50
≈ €18.50
Bolt, Uber, eCabs
Yes
Not always
Not expected, round up at most
NL Netherlands · Amsterdam
€4.31
€3.17
≈ €36.01
Uber, Bolt, TCA Taxi
Yes
Yes
Round up or about 10%
N Norway · Oslo
NOK 75.40
NOK 16.70
≈ NOK 242.40
Oslo Taxi, Norgestaxi, Uber, Bolt
Yes
Yes
Not expected, round up at most
PL Poland · Warsaw
PLN 10.00
PLN 5.00
≈ PLN 60.00
Uber, Bolt, FREENOW, iTaxi
Yes
Yes
Round up or about 10%
P Portugal · Lisbon (estimate)
€3.25
€0.47
≈ €7.95
Uber, Bolt, FREENOW
Yes
Not always
Not expected, round up at most
RO Romania · Bucharest (estimate)
RON 3.00
RON 3.00
≈ RON 33.00
Bolt, Uber, Star Taxi
Yes
Not always
Round up or about 10%
SK Slovakia · Bratislava (estimate)
€2.00
€1.00
≈ €12.00
Bolt, Uber, Hopin, Liftago
Yes
Not always
Round up or about 10%
SLO Slovenia · Ljubljana
€2.00
€1.50
≈ €17.00
Uber, Taxi Metro, Taxi Laguna, Taxi Rondo
Yes
Not always
Not expected, round up at most
E Spain · Madrid (estimate)
€2.55
€1.40
≈ €16.55
Uber, Cabify, Bolt, FREENOW, PideTaxi
Yes
Yes
Not expected, round up at most
S Sweden · Stockholm
SEK 59.00
SEK 14.90
≈ SEK 208.00
Taxi Stockholm, Uber, Bolt, Sverigetaxi, Taxi Kurir
Yes
Yes
Not expected, round up at most
CH Switzerland · Zurich (estimate)
CHF 6.75
CHF 3.80
≈ CHF 44.75
Uber, Bolt, GO! Taxi 444
Yes
Yes
Service included
UK United Kingdom · London (estimate)
£4.20
£2.20
≈ £26.20
Uber, Bolt, FREENOW, Gett, Addison Lee
Yes
Yes
Round up or about 10%
At airports and stations only take a taxi from the official rank, and ignore offers from people in the arrivals hall.
Check that the meter is on, or agree a fixed price in advance.
Fixed fares from the airport apply in Paris, Rome, Athens, Madrid and Lisbon, among others.
At night, at weekends and on public holidays many cities charge a higher rate.
With an app such as Uber, Bolt or FREENOW you see the price in advance. In some countries these apps only book licensed taxis.
Ask for a receipt: you need it for a complaint or an expense claim.
Daytime rates in the city named, in local currency. Other cities may differ and fares change regularly.
Rules can differ by city; local signs always take precedence. Countries marked 'estimate' have not yet been fully checked against an official source.
⛰️
Mountain passes: when are they open?
Typical opening period of the best-known passes. Exact dates depend on the snow: check the official status page just before you leave. Many passes are closed to caravans and large vehicles.
The main ferry routes, toll bridges, toll tunnels and car trains in Europe, with indicative car prices.
⛴️ Ferries 33
Dover – CalaisUK · F · P&O Ferries, DFDS, Irish Ferries€ 117–210 Crossing about 1.5 hours. The busiest Channel route; book ahead in summer. ↗ poferries.com
Dover – DunkerqueUK · F · DFDS€ 136–198 Crossing about 2 hours. Often slightly cheaper than Calais and handy for Belgium and the Netherlands. ↗ dfds.com
Hoek van Holland – HarwichNL · UK · Stena Line€ 107–211 Crossing about 6.5 to 9.5 hours. Day and night sailings. ↗ stenaline.nl
Rotterdam Europoort – HullNL · UK · P&O Ferries€ 290–480 Overnight ferry, about 12 hours; handy for northern England and Scotland. ↗ poferries.com
IJmuiden – NewcastleNL · UK · DFDS€ 216–321 Overnight ferry, about 16 hours. Popular for Scotland and northern England. ↗ dfds.com
Zeebrugge – RosythB · UK · DFDS– Freight only, no cars. Plans for a Rosyth–Dunkirk passenger ferry are not yet confirmed. ↗ dfds.com
Puttgarden – RødbyD · DK · Scandlines€ 48–100+ Crossing 45 minutes. Lowest fare online and in advance only; combined tickets with the Øresund Bridge or Helsingør available. ↗ scandlines.com
Rostock – GedserD · DK · Scandlines€ 83–128 Crossing about 2 hours. Handy from Berlin and eastern Germany. ↗ scandlines.com
Helsingør – HelsingborgDK · S · Øresundslinjen199 DKK+ Crossing about 20 minutes, around the clock. Alternative to the Øresund Bridge. ↗ oresundslinjen.dk
Kiel – OsloD · N · Color Line€ 530+ Overnight ferry, about 20 hours: departs 2 pm, arrives 10 am. ↗ colorline.com
Hirtshals – KristiansandDK · N · Color Line, Fjord Line€ 107–146+ Crossing about 3.5 hours. Shortest link to southern Norway. ↗ fjordline.com
Hirtshals – LarvikDK · N · Color Line€ 114–145 Crossing about 4 hours. Handy for Oslo and eastern Norway. ↗ colorline.com
Travemünde – TrelleborgD · S · TT-Line€ 93–196 Crossing about 9 hours, also overnight. Avoids driving through Denmark. ↗ ttline.com
Travemünde – MalmöD · S · Finnlines€ 75–239 Crossing about 9 hours. Alternative to the route via Denmark. ↗ finnlines.com
Świnoujście – YstadPL · S · Unity Line, Polferries€ 101–164 Crossing about 7 hours, day and night. ↗ unityline.pl
Gdynia – KarlskronaPL · S · Stena Line€ 129–174 Crossing about 10 to 12 hours. ↗ stenaline.pl
Helsinki – TallinnFIN · EST · Tallink Silja, Viking Line, Eckerö Line€ 46–139 Crossing about 2 to 2.5 hours, many sailings a day. Links Finland to the Via Baltica. ↗ tallink.com
Stockholm – TurkuS · FIN · Viking Line, Tallink Silja€ 89–144 Crossing about 11 hours via the Åland Islands; day and night sailings. ↗ vikingline.com
Stockholm – HelsinkiS · FIN · Viking Line, Tallink Silja€ 87–173 Overnight ferry, about 17 to 18 hours. ↗ tallink.com
Ancona – Igoumenitsa / PatrasI · GR · Superfast Ferries, Minoan Lines, Grimaldi Lines€ 169–311 Crossing about 16 to 22 hours, usually with a night on board. Saves the long drive through the Balkans. ↗ superfast.com
Bari – Igoumenitsa / PatrasI · GR · Superfast Ferries, Ventouris Ferries€ 170+ Crossing about 9 hours to Igoumenitsa and about 17 hours to Patras. ↗ superfast.com
Brindisi – IgoumenitsaI · GR · Grimaldi Lines€ 87–236 Crossing about 8 to 9 hours. Shortest crossing from Italy to Greece. ↗ grimaldi-lines.com
Ancona – SplitI · HR · Jadrolinija, SNAV– Overnight ferry, about 11 hours. Other routes to Croatia leave from Bari and, in summer, Pescara. ↗ jadrolinija.hr
Pozzallo – VallettaI · M · Virtu Ferries– Fast catamaran, about 1 hour 45 minutes. The only car ferry between Sicily and Malta. ↗ virtuferries.com
Villa San Giovanni – MessinaI · Caronte & Tourist≈ € 34 Crossing about 20 minutes, day and night. There is no bridge to Sicily. ↗ carontetourist.it
Livorno – OlbiaI · Moby, Grimaldi Lines€ 36–150 Crossing about 8.5 to 11 hours to Sardinia. ↗ moby.it
Civitavecchia – OlbiaI · Tirrenia, Grimaldi Lines€ 93–122 Crossing about 7.5 to 8 hours, often overnight. Handy from Rome. ↗ tirrenia.it
Nice – BastiaF · Corsica Ferries€ 85–106 To Corsica. Ferries also sail from Toulon and Marseille (Corsica Linea, La Méridionale). ↗ corsica-ferries.fr
Holyhead – DublinUK · IRL · Irish Ferries, Stena Line€ 208+ Crossing about 3.5 hours. The main route between Wales and Ireland. ↗ irishferries.com
Fishguard / Pembroke – RosslareUK · IRL · Stena Line, Irish Ferries– Crossing about 3.5 to 4 hours to south-east Ireland. ↗ stenaline.co.uk
Cairnryan – BelfastUK · Stena Line€ 200–296 Crossing about 2 hours 15 minutes between Scotland and Northern Ireland. P&O sails Cairnryan–Larne. ↗ stenaline.co.uk
Cherbourg – Rosslare / DublinF · IRL · Brittany Ferries, Stena Line, Irish Ferries€ 204–285 Direct to Ireland, avoiding Great Britain; overnight ferry of about 16 to 20 hours. ↗ brittanyferries.com
Algeciras / Tarifa – TangerE · Baleària, FRS, AML, Trasmed€ 190+ Crossing about 1 to 1.5 hours. Morocco is outside the EU: check insurance (green card) and customs. ↗ balearia.com
🌉 Toll tunnels and bridges 23
ØresundsbronDK · S · Øresundsbro Konsortiet470 DKK / 690 SEK Bridge and tunnel between Copenhagen and Malmö. Pay by card, cash or transponder; buying online in advance can be cheaper. ↗ oresundsbron.com
StorebæltsbroenDK · Sund & Bælt235 DKK (BroBizz 205 DKK) 18 km bridge between Funen and Zealand. Discounts with BroBizz, online and in the evening. ↗ storebaelt.dk
Mont BlancF · I · GEIE-TMB (ATMB / SITMB)€ 55,80 (FR) / € 56,40 (IT) One way; a return (valid 7 days) costs about €70. Frequent night closures; strict rules for lorries. ↗ tunnelmb.net
FréjusF · I · SFTRF / SITAF€ 55,50 One way between Modane and Bardonecchia; return (valid 7 days) €69.20. ↗ sftrf.fr
Grand-Saint-BernardCH · I · Tunnel du Grand-Saint-BernardCHF 32 Between Martigny and Aosta. Price on the Swiss side; on the Italian side you pay in euros. ↗ letunnel.com
Munt la Schera (Livigno)CH · I · Engadiner Kraftwerke (EKW)CHF 15 / CHF 17 Single-lane tunnel to Livigno with alternating traffic. Summer price: CHF 15 with e-ticket, CHF 17 on site. ↗ ekwstrom.ch
FelbertauernA · Felbertauernstraße AG€ 13,50 Between Mittersill and Matrei in East Tyrol (B108). Not a motorway, so no vignette needed. ↗ felbertauernstrasse.at
Karawankentunnel (A11)A · SLO · ASFINAG / DARS€ 9,00 Into Slovenia. You then need a Slovenian e-vignette. ↗ asfinag.at
Arlbergtunnel (S16)A · ASFINAG€ 13,00 Between Vorarlberg and Tyrol. Alternative: the Arlberg Pass (free, caravans banned). ↗ asfinag.at
Tauern- en Katschbergtunnel (A10)A · ASFINAG€ 15,00 One toll for both tunnels on the Tauern motorway. Digital section toll can be bought online in advance. ↗ asfinag.at
Brennerautobahn (A13)A · I · ASFINAG€ 12,50 Innsbruck – Brenner Pass, including the Europabrücke. In Italy the normal A22 toll follows. ↗ asfinag.at
Pyhrnautobahn (A9): Bosruck / GleinalmA · ASFINAG€ 7,00 / € 12,00 Two separate toll points on the A9 Linz–Graz: Bosruck tunnel and Gleinalm tunnel. ↗ asfinag.at
Gotthard-StraßentunnelCH · ASTRA0 No toll, but the Swiss vignette (CHF 40) is required. No car train runs through the Gotthard any more; alternatives: the pass (summer), Lötschberg or Furka. ↗ astra.admin.ch
Tunnel du SomportF · E · –0 Free tunnel between Pau and Jaca; a toll-free route across the Pyrenees. ↗ bison-fute.gouv.fr
LiefkenshoektunnelB · Tunnel Liefkenshoek€ 8,00 / € 6,20 Antwerp (R2). Cash €8, bank card €6.20; cheaper with a badge. Belgium's only toll tunnel. ↗ liefkenshoektunnel.be
WesterscheldetunnelNL · N.V. Westerscheldetunnel0 Toll-free for cars since September 2024. Lorries over 3 m high pay €11–15. ↗ westerscheldetunnel.nl
Herrentunnel LübeckD · Herrentunnel Lübeck€ 2,30 B104 in Lübeck, on the way to Travemünde ferry port. ↗ herrentunnel.de
Warnowtunnel RostockD · Warnowquerung€ 4,40 / € 5,40 Rostock, handy for the ferry port. Winter €4.40, summer (May–Oct) €5.40; €3.49 with a transponder. ↗ warnowtunnel.de
Dartford Crossing (M25)UK · National Highways (Dart Charge)£ 3,50 No toll booths: pay online by midnight the day after crossing. Free between 10 pm and 6 am. ↗ gov.uk
M50 DublinIRL · TII / eFlow€ 3,80 Barrier-free camera toll between junctions 6 and 7. Without an account, pay by 8 pm the next day. ↗ eflow.ie
Rio – AntirrioGR · Gefyra S.A.€ 15,90 Bridge over the Gulf of Corinth between the Peloponnese and the mainland. ↗ gefyra.gr
Ponte 25 de AbrilP · Lusoponte€ 2,25 Lisbon. Toll only towards Lisbon (northbound). ↗ lusoponte.pt
Ponte Vasco da GamaP · Lusoponte≈ € 3,40 Lisbon, about 12 km long. Toll only towards Lisbon (northbound). ↗ lusoponte.pt
🚆 Car trains 6
Eurotunnel Le Shuttle (Folkestone – Calais)UK · F · Getlink£ 59+ 35 minutes; you stay with your car on the train. LPG and CNG vehicles are not allowed. ↗ leshuttle.com
Lötschberg (Kandersteg – Goppenstein)CH · BLSCHF 28–31 About 15 minutes. Monday–Thursday CHF 28, Friday–Sunday CHF 31; tickets at the loading station. ↗ bls.ch
Simplon (Brig – Iselle)CH · I · BLSCHF 27 Between Valais and Italy. No tickets sold in Iselle; you then pay in Brig. ↗ bls.ch
Furka (Realp – Oberwald)CH · Matterhorn Gotthard BahnCHF 33 About 20 minutes through the Furka tunnel; useful when the Furka Pass is closed. ↗ matterhorngotthardbahn.ch
Vereina (Selfranga – Sagliains)CH · Rhätische BahnCHF 36+ From Klosters to the Engadine, all year round. Price depends on season and day. ↗ rhb.ch
Tauernschleuse (Böckstein – Mallnitz)A · ÖBB€ 26 11 minutes between Salzburg and Carinthia. Fully closed from February to July 2027. ↗ oebb.at
Prices vary by season, day and booking time; always check the current fare with the operator.
🛡️
Safety on the road
Known scams and risks along motorways and main roads, based on official travel advice, police and motoring clubs.
General tips
Keep the doors locked, also while driving, and never leave bags, documents or valuables visible in the car.
Someone points at a "flat tyre" or "damage", or bumps your car? Don't stop on the hard shoulder: drive on to a busy service station, lock up and call 112 if in doubt.
Real police usually wear uniform or drive recognisable vehicles and never ask for your wallet, bank card or cash. Ask for ID and a receipt; call 112 if in doubt.
Don't spend the night in a camper or caravan at motorway rest areas; use a (guarded) campsite. Trucks: rest at secure truck parks and check doors, curtains and seals after every stop.
Buy vignettes and tolls only from the official seller. Don't click on texts or emails about "unpaid tolls" or fines; check yourself on the official website.
A Austria
Phishing emails and texts in ASFINAG's name demand a "replacement toll" for a missing vignette. Don't click the link; buy vignettes only in the ASFINAG web shop or at official outlets.
At traffic lights, thieves, often on motorbikes, smash a window and grab valuables from the front or back seat. Keep bags in the boot and doors locked.
🚚 For trucks
Truck and van drivers are sometimes approached at car parks or service stations by organised crime groups asking them to smuggle goods into the UK. Refuse and report it to the police.
Criminals may puncture your tyres or flag your car down, then steal from it while you are distracted. Thefts from unlocked cars at petrol stations have increased: lock up when you go to pay.
Higher-value cars with foreign plates are preferred targets; guarded car parks usually accept no liability. If your car is stolen, you may be liable for import duty and taxes.
Don't pick up hitchhikers: in Bulgaria this can count as people smuggling, which carries heavy penalties.
Campers spending the night at motorway rest areas on the north-south route are broken into in summer, sometimes using sedatives. Stay at a campsite or guarded site.
Buy the e-vignette only from the official seller (edalnice.cz). Other websites and resellers often charge large extra fees.
Fraudsters occasionally pose as police officers. Real Czech officers wear a visible service number on their uniform and collect fines only against a receipt.
Organised gangs operate at motorway rest areas (especially north-south routes and the south); campers are robbed at night, sometimes using sedatives. Stay on a guarded campsite.
On roads to Calais port, people sometimes try to get into vehicles to reach the UK. Keep doors locked, keep moving where safe and call 112 if you cannot proceed.
Fake texts or emails about "unpaid" free-flow tolls (no barriers) lead to fraudulent sites. Pay only on the operator's website (e.g. Sanef); forward suspicious texts to 33700.
🚚 For trucks
Around Calais and Dunkirk, people try to hide in trucks. Check the load space, curtains and seals after every stop and log it; the UK fines up to £10,000 per stowaway.
At motorway rest areas, strangers sometimes ask for fuel money in exchange for "gold" jewellery that turns out to be fake. Police warn about this: don't get involved.
🚚 For trucks
According to TAPA, Germany is among the European countries with the most reported cargo thefts, often at unsecured parking. Plan rests at secure truck parks and lock cab and load space.
Car break-ins and trick thefts targeting motorists occur. Park in guarded places, leave nothing behind and avoid long stops at rest areas on approach roads or in Athens.
🚚 For trucks
At Patras and Igoumenitsa, migrants try to hide in or under trucks (and campers) for the crossing to Italy, including in queues before the port. Check the vehicle; drivers face heavy fines or prison.
Fraudsters sometimes point out "damage" to your car or pose as police. Don't stop at the roadside but at the next petrol station; real officers carry a badge with a five-digit number.
Car theft and theft from parked cars occur. Park in a guarded place and leave no valuables or vehicle documents in the car.
Thieves point out a "flat tyre" or a "damaged mirror" to make you stop or to demand cash on the spot. Pay nothing on the street; take photos and call the police (112).
Break-ins into parked cars are common, also near beaches, at motorway service areas and in unguarded car parks. Leave no luggage, not even in the boot; with keyless cars, ideally someone stays with the car.
Criminals pose as plain-clothes police to get cash or bank cards, especially in Amsterdam. Dutch police don't carry shiny badges; check an officer on 0900 8844.
🚚 For trucks
Motorway rest areas are not meant for long rests. Use a secure truck park (e.g. Maasvlakte Plaza, Hazeldonk) and book ahead; this reduces the risk of cargo theft.
Thieves sometimes fake a breakdown or an accident to steal cars. Keep doors locked while driving, don't stop in isolated places and park in guarded car parks.
🚚 For trucks
For parked trucks, there is a warning about cargo theft by slashing curtains. Rest at a secure truck park and check curtains and seals before leaving.
At tourist hotspots, and especially near beaches, car break-ins are common, particularly of hire cars. Leave nothing visible, always lock up and use guarded car parks.
Higher-value cars with foreign plates are preferred targets for theft and break-ins. Leave nothing visible, park in guarded places and keep campers and caravans on guarded campsites only.
Criminals sometimes target foreign-registered cars: they puncture a tyre at a petrol station and then offer "help". At night, only stop in well-lit, busy places.
On motorways between Bratislava and the Czech border and towards Žilina, travellers are sometimes made to stop on a pretext and robbed; incidents also occur at rest areas and petrol stations in Bratislava.
Buy the e-vignette only on the official DARS website or at authorised outlets, not from third-party sites. Check the number plate after buying.
After a breakdown, unauthorised recovery firms may offer help unasked and charge high fees. Authorised providers display a DARS logo; call your own breakdown service, or 1970 if in doubt.
On the AP-7/A-7 from La Jonquera via Barcelona towards Valencia, thieves lure drivers over with a "fault", a bump or a thrown object. Often targeted: foreign plates, hire cars and caravans.
Beware of fake plain-clothes police in unmarked cars. Real unmarked police show a lit "Policía" or "Guardia Civil" sign in the rear window and only ask for vehicle documents, never your bag or wallet. Call 112 or 062.
Cars are broken into at car parks, rest areas and multi-storey car parks, and campers too, even on official campsites. Choose a guarded campsite and add extra security to the camper at night.
Fake e-vignette websites and emails asking for payment details are circulating. Buy the e-vignette (CHF 40) only via via.admin.ch; the FOCBS never asks for payment details by email.
Drivers of cars, vans and campers can also be fined heavily if someone is hidden on board. Check the car, camper, trailer and roof box just before crossing to the UK.
🚚 For trucks
If UK Border Force finds a stowaway, the driver, owner and hirer each risk up to £10,000 per person; an inadequately secured vehicle with nobody inside can cost up to £6,000.
Secure the vehicle with locks, seals and curtain cords, check it after every stop and keep a checklist. Provable checks and an accredited security system greatly reduce the penalty.
The rules and traps that most often earn holidaymakers a fine. First what applies everywhere, then country by country.
Everywhere in Europe
Fines from other EU countries are also collected at home. Not paying only makes them more expensive.
Keep the hi-vis vest within reach inside the car, not in the boot. In many countries you must put it on before getting out.
Driving a rental car? The rental company often adds an admin fee to every fine. Ask whether a toll tag is fitted when you pick it up.
Emergency number 112 works in every EU country, even without a SIM card or credit.
By country
AAustria
Tyrol: on weekends and public holidays (7 am–7 pm) detour roads in the Innsbruck, Kufstein, Imst and Reutte districts are closed to through traffic. Destination traffic needs proof, such as a hotel booking.
For extreme speeding (60+ km/h over in towns, 70+ outside) the police can seize your car.
Form an emergency corridor as soon as traffic slows down; it is mandatory here.
BBelgium
Priority to the right applies, also on many bigger roads without a priority sign.
Radar detectors are banned (fine €800–8,000); navigation apps showing camera locations, such as Waze, are allowed.
BGBulgaria
The e-vignette also applies on most national roads, not just motorways.
First aid kit and fire extinguisher are compulsory; radar detectors are banned.
HRCroatia
Drivers under 24: zero alcohol.
In July and August expect long queues at toll plazas and borders: leave early or at night.
CYCyprus
Drive on the left; go clockwise on roundabouts.
Driving to the north of the island? Check whether your car insurance is valid there.
CZCzech Republic
Dipped or daytime running lights are compulsory all year.
Trams almost always have priority; stop behind a tram at a stop without a platform island.
Form an emergency corridor as soon as traffic slows down; it is mandatory here.
The limit here is 0.0‰: even one beer at lunch is too much.
DKDenmark
Lights by day are compulsory.
The Øresund bridge is much cheaper online or with a subscription than at the toll booth.
ESTEstonia
The limit is 0.2‰ for everyone: even one drink can be too much.
Lights on at all times, and winter tyres from 1 December to 1 March.
FINFinland
Watch out for elk and reindeer, especially at dusk. Warning signs mark the risk zones.
Lights on at all times, even on a sunny summer day.
FFrance
Speed camera alerts are banned (up to €1,500). Navigation apps show only 'danger zones' there.
20 km/h over costs €135. Motorways drop to 110 km/h in the rain instead of 130.
Barrier-free tolls (A13/A14, A79, A69): pay online within 72 hours.
DGermany
Using a speed camera warner while driving costs €75 and a point.
Overtaking on the right is only allowed in slow queues (left lane at 60 km/h or less, at most 20 km/h faster); otherwise it is banned.
Form an emergency corridor as soon as traffic slows down; it is mandatory here.
GRGreece
Keep cash or a card ready: there are many toll stations. Elefsina–Patras alone costs €13.80.
Driving into central Athens on a weekday? Check your plate's last digit first (daktylios).
Speeding fines are steep since 2026: from €150, and a licence suspension for more than 30 km/h over.
HHungary
Forgot the vignette? You can still buy it up to 60 minutes after entering.
Outside towns, lights are compulsory by day.
Form an emergency corridor as soon as traffic slows down; it is mandatory here.
The limit here is 0.0‰: even one beer at lunch is too much.
IRLIreland
Pay the M50 toll online at eflow.ie by 8 pm the day after your trip, also in a foreign car. Otherwise you get a penalty.
Many small local roads have a 60 km/h limit since 2025. Ireland uses km/h; Northern Ireland uses mph.
IItaly
20 km/h over costs from €173. Pay within 5 days for a 30% discount.
Never drive into a ZTL: every camera gate is a separate fine, often €80–100.
A bike rack that sticks out needs a red-and-white warning panel (50 × 50 cm).
LVLatvia
Only tyres with the mountain-snowflake symbol count as winter tyres (1 December – 1 March).
Put on a hi-vis vest before you get out on the road.
LTLithuania
The limit is 0.4‰, but 0.0‰ for drivers with less than 2 years' licence.
Driving a van? Buy an e-vignette until the end of 2026; from 2027 you pay per kilometre via Via Toll.
LLuxembourg
Radar detectors are banned (fine up to €5,000); warning apps such as Waze are allowed.
Fuel is often cheaper than in neighbouring countries: fill up when passing through.
MMalta
Drive on the left, and expect narrow, busy roads.
Driving into Valletta? After 2 pm and at weekends there is no CVA charge.
NLNetherlands
Holding your phone while driving costs €440.
During the day (6 am–7 pm) most motorways are limited to 100 km/h.
NNorway
Fines are among Europe's highest: 16–20 km/h over costs NOK 7,450 to 8,650 (about €640–750).
0.2 alcohol limit and lights by day compulsory.
PLPoland
Lights compulsory 24 hours a day, all year.
Turning right on red is only allowed with a green arrow, and only after stopping.
PPortugal
Electronic toll gantries have no booths: set up EasyToll or TollCard first, or you will be fined.
Put on the vest when you get out on the motorway.
RORomania
The rovinieta is needed on all national roads, not only motorways.
Carry two warning triangles, a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher.
The limit here is 0.0‰: even one beer at lunch is too much.
SKSlovakia
Lights by day are compulsory all year.
Buy the vignette at eznamka.sk: resellers sometimes charge double.
The limit here is 0.0‰: even one beer at lunch is too much.
SLOSlovenia
There is no 1-day vignette; cameras watch every motorway (fine €300–800).
Winter tyres compulsory from 15 November to 15 March, or summer tyres with chains on board.
Form an emergency corridor as soon as traffic slows down; it is mandatory here.
ESpain
20 km/h over costs €100; pay within 20 days for 50% off.
Holding a phone and even wearing headphones or earbuds while driving is banned (€200).
Madrid and Barcelona: register your foreign car before entering the low-emission zone.
Form an emergency corridor as soon as traffic slows down; mandatory since October 2026 (fine €200).
SSweden
Radar detectors are banned.
Winter tyres compulsory from 1 December to 31 March in winter conditions.
CHSwitzerland
Fines are steep: 20 km/h over costs CHF 180 on motorways and CHF 240 outside towns; in towns you are reported. Extreme speeding can mean prison.
Lights by day are compulsory.
Speed camera alerts in sat navs and apps are banned; even carrying a radar detector is an offence.
Form an emergency corridor as soon as traffic slows down; it is mandatory here.
UKUnited Kingdom
Drive on the left; speeds are in miles per hour (70 mph ≈ 113 km/h).
London congestion charge: £18 if paid in advance or on the day, £21 up to three days after; then a £180 penalty.
Breakdowns
Who helps when you break down abroad
In danger, always call 112 first. For breakdown help: the country's automobile club, your own club at home or your travel cover.
Breakdown help
Automobile club
Number in country
From abroad/mobile
NL Netherlands
ANWB
088 269 28 88
+31 70 314 14 14
D Germany
ADAC
22 22 22 / 089 20 20 4000
+49 89 22 22 22
A Austria
ÖAMTC
120
+43 1 25 120 00
CH Switzerland
TCS
0800 140 140
+41 58 827 22 20
B Belgium
Touring
078 178 178
+32 2 233 23 45
L Luxembourg
ACL
26 000
+352 26 000
F France
—
112 / borne orange
–
I Italy
ACI
803.116 / 800 116 800
+39 02 66165116
E Spain
RACE
900 112 222
+34 915 948 943
P Portugal
ACP
215 915 915
+351 215 915 915
CZ Czech Republic
ÚAMK
1230
+420 261 104 123
SK Slovakia
SATC
18124
–
SLO Slovenia
AMZS
1987
+386 1 530 53 53
HR Croatia
HAK
1987
+385 1 4693 700
H Hungary
MAK
188
+36 1 345 1744
PL Poland
PZM
22 532 84 44
+48 22 532 84 44
DK Denmark
FDM
70 27 91 12
+45 70 27 91 12
S Sweden
Assistancekåren
020-912 912
+46 771 912 912
N Norway
NAF
08505
+47 92 60 85 05
BG Bulgaria
UAB
146
+359 2 91146
RO Romania
ACR
021 222 22 22
+40 21 222 22 22
UK United Kingdom
AA
03330 046 046
+44 3330 046 046
IRL Ireland
AA Ireland
1800 66 77 88
+353 1 727 0677
GR Greece
ELPA
10400
–
FIN Finland
Autoliitto
0200 8080
–
EST Estonia
Eesti Autoklubi
1888
–
LV Latvia
LAMB
1888
–
LT Lithuania
—
112
–
CY Cyprus
CAA
22 31 31 31
+357 22 31 31 31
M Malta
—
112
–
France: only approved tow operators may work on motorways, not even your own insurer's. Use the orange emergency phone or 112. Fixed 2026 price for a car: €151 by day, €226.50 at night, weekends and public holidays.
Member of an automobile club (AA, ADAC, ANWB, TCS…)? Call your own club's alarm centre first. Through the network of partner clubs they arrange help on the spot.
No club? Before leaving, check whether your car insurance, lease or credit card package covers breakdown help in Europe. Well-known providers include Europ Assistance, Allianz Partners and AXA Assistance.
Italy: on the autostrada use the SOS column or call 803.116 (ACI); from a foreign mobile 800 116 800.
Safety first: vest on before getting out, everyone behind the crash barrier, warning triangle well back, then call.
Watch out for fake helpers: only accept help you called yourself, and don't pay cash to someone who just happens to stop.
🆘 Emergency numbers
SOS
🚓
🚑
🚒
+
A Austria
112
133
144
122
140 Bergrettung
B Belgium
112
101
112
112
1733 Huisarts/Médecin de garde
BG Bulgaria
112
166
150
160
–
HR Croatia
112
192
194
193
–
CY Cyprus
112
199
199
199
–
CZ Czech Republic
112
158
155
150
1210 Horská služba
DK Denmark
112
112
112
112
114 Politi
EST Estonia
112
112
112
112
–
FIN Finland
112
112
112
112
116117 Päivystysapu
F France
112
17
15
18
114 SMS
D Germany
112
110
112
112
116117 Bereitschaftsdienst
GR Greece
112
100
166
199
–
H Hungary
112
107
104
105
–
IRL Ireland
112/999
112/999
112/999
112/999
–
I Italy
112
113
118
115
–
LV Latvia
112
110
113
112
–
LT Lithuania
112
112
112
112
–
L Luxembourg
112
113
112
112
–
M Malta
112
112
112
112
–
NL Netherlands
112
112
112
112
0900-8844 Politie
N Norway
112
112
113
110
02800 Politi
PL Poland
112
997
999
998
985 GOPR/WOPR
P Portugal
112
112
112
112
808 24 24 24 SNS 24
RO Romania
112
112
112
112
–
SK Slovakia
112
158
155
150
18300 Horská záchranná služba
SLO Slovenia
112
113
112
112
–
E Spain
112
091
061
112
062 Guardia Civil
S Sweden
112
112
112
112
114 14 Polisen
CH Switzerland
112
117
144
118
1414 Rega
UK United Kingdom
999/112
999
999
999
101 Police
🚓 police · 🚑 ambulance · 🚒 fire. 112 works free of charge throughout the EU, also from a foreign mobile.
💶
Got a traffic fine from abroad? What to do
Foreign traffic fines increasingly reach drivers at home. This is how it works and how to avoid extra costs or scams.
EU countries exchange vehicle-owner data for offences including speeding, running a red light, drink- and drug-driving, using a phone, not wearing a seat belt or helmet and driving on the hard shoulder. From 20 July 2027 this also covers dangerous parking, dangerous overtaking, crossing a solid line, hit-and-run, ignoring low-emission and access zones and level-crossing offences.
Under the new EU rules the letter must be sent within 11 months of the offence. If the country starts proceedings, the documents must be in the language of your vehicle registration certificate.
Not paying doesn't help: fines from €70 can be enforced in your home country under EU agreements. At a later check in that country you may also have to pay on the spot.
Paying quickly often pays off: in Italy 30% off within 5 days, in Spain 50% off within 20 days and in France a reduced amount (amende minorée) if you pay within 15 days (45 days online). Always check the deadline in the letter.
Rental or lease car: the company passes on your details and often charges a €25–50 admin fee per fine, sometimes months later.
Beware of fake fines by e-mail or text message. Never pay via a link in a text; check the sender and only pay via the official website of the authority named in the letter.
Switzerland, Norway and the UK are not part of this EU scheme, but often still pursue fines through their own agreements or debt collectors. Unpaid Swiss fines can be collected when you next enter the country.
Source: EU Directive 2015/413, amended by Directive 2024/3237; Your Europe.europa.eu ↗ · EUR-Lex ↗
🚨
Accident abroad: what now?
How to act safely and correctly after a collision in Europe, and how to get your damage paid.
Step by step
Stop and stay at the scene. Hazard lights on, hi-vis vest on before you get out, warning triangle out if safe. Anyone hurt? Call 112 and give first aid; only move them if in immediate danger.
On the motorway: get everyone out on the verge side and stand behind the crash barrier, well away from traffic. Call 112 or use the emergency phone from there.
Call the police if anyone is injured, you disagree on what happened, the other party has no proof of insurance or ID, they drive off, public property is damaged or alcohol is suspected. Ask for a copy or the reference number of the report.
Exchange details: name, address, registration number, insurer, policy number and, if any, the green card number. In some countries the insurance is shown on a windscreen sticker.
Fill in the European Accident Statement together. Its layout is identical in every language, so each driver can use a copy in their own language. Tick the boxes, write down the number of ticks and draw a sketch.
Only sign if you agree with what it says, and keep a copy signed by both parties. Do not admit fault. Never sign any other document you do not understand, not even for the police.
Photograph the scene, the positions of the cars, the damage, number plates, skid marks and debris. Note witnesses' names and phone numbers. Have injuries recorded by a local doctor.
Towing: be wary of tow trucks that turn up uninvited. Call your breakdown service or insurer, ask the price first and keep the invoice. With a rental car, let the rental company arrange towing.
Insurance and claims
Green card: in the EU/EEA, Switzerland, the UK, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia your number plate counts as proof of insurance. For e.g. Albania, North Macedonia and Turkey you need the green card, free from your insurer. Kosovo: border insurance.
Report the accident to your own insurer as soon as possible, even if it was not your fault. Send the accident statement and ask about time limits: they vary by country.
For accidents in the EU/EEA you claim at home, in your own language: from the claims representative that the foreign insurer must have in your country. Your national information centre (green card bureau) finds it from the number plate.
The insurer must make a reasoned offer or reply within 3 months; otherwise you may be owed interest. The law of the accident country applies, so compensation may be lower than at home. Lawyer and expert fees are often not reimbursed.
No claims representative, no reply within 3 months, an uninsured driver or a hit-and-run? Then turn to the compensation body in your own country (for accidents in the EEA).
Rental car: tell the rental company at once and follow its instructions; do not arrange towing or repairs yourself. Get a police report, as many rental contracts require one. Keep the contract, photos and proof of any excess you paid.
With injuries you must alert the police (133 or 112) immediately. With damage only, call them only if identities cannot be exchanged; an unnecessary call-out costs €36.
Collision with game: always report it to the police at once.
HRCroatia
With damage only, calling the police is not legally required, but advisable if you disagree, details are refused or alcohol is suspected. With visible damage to your car, a police report avoids problems.
CZCzech Republic
Police (158 or 112) are required for injuries, damage clearly above CZK 100,000, or damage to the road or third-party property.
FINFinland
Collision with an elk, reindeer or deer: always notify the police (112).
FFrance
Towing on autoroutes has regulated prices (2026, up to 3.5 t): €151 for roadside repair or towing up to 1.8 t, €186.72 from 1.8 to 3.5 t; +50% at night (6pm–8am), at weekends and on public holidays. Call via the emergency phone or 112.
For minor damage-only accidents the police usually do not attend. Send the accident statement to your insurer within 5 days.
DGermany
Leaving without giving your details is a criminal offence. If the owner is not present or public property such as a road sign is damaged, call the police (110).
CHSwitzerland
With injuries you must notify the police (117). With damage only you must inform the owner; if that is not possible, tell the police at once.
UKUnited Kingdom
If you could not exchange details at the scene, report the accident to the police as soon as possible and within 24 hours at the latest.
Motorhome, caravan and motorcycle
🚐
Caravan, motorhome and trailer
Speed limits, tolls and vignettes, and key rules for caravans, trailers and motorhomes by country.
Good to know
Rear bike carrier in Spain, Italy and Portugal: fit a reflective red-and-white striped 50 × 50 cm panel (in Spain the V-20 panel).
Vignette for the caravan: in Switzerland a trailer or caravan needs its own vignette, in Hungary its own U vignette. Not in Austria, Slovenia or Czechia.
Toll classes: in France class 2 from 2 m high, class 3 above 3 m or 3.5 t; in Italy car + caravan is class 3 (3 axles); in Croatia class II.
Mirrors and size: if the caravan blocks your rear view, extension mirrors are mandatory. EU maximum: 2.55 m wide, 4 m high and 18.75 m long as a combination.
Driving licence: with B the combination may weigh up to 3,500 kg in total (or a trailer up to 750 kg). B96 up to 4,250 kg, BE for a trailer up to 3,500 kg. Motorhome over 3.5 t: C1.
Overnight stays and wild camping: wild camping is banned in most countries (strictly in Croatia, Slovenia, Greece and Denmark, among others). Follow local signs and use aires.
By country: Speed with caravan (built-up / rural / motorway) · Motorhome > 3.5 t
Speed with caravan (built-up / rural / motorway)
Motorhome > 3.5 t
A Austria
50 / 80 / 100
GO-Maut (GO-Box)
B Belgium
50 / 70–90 / 120
toll-free
BG Bulgaria
50 / 70 / 100
e-vignette (M1)
HR Croatia
50 / 80 / 90
toll class III
CY Cyprus
50 / 65–80 / 100
toll-free
CZ Czech Republic
50 / 80 / 80
km toll (Mýto CZ)
DK Denmark
50 / 80 / 80 (100)
toll-free
EST Estonia
50 / 90 / 90
toll-free
FIN Finland
50 / 80 / 80
toll-free
F France
50 / 80 / 130
toll class 3 (> 3.5 t / > 3 m)
D Germany
50 / 80 / 80 (100)
toll-free
GR Greece
30–50 / 80 / 80
toll by class
H Hungary
50 / 70 / 80
e-matrica D2
IRL Ireland
50 / 80 / 80
toll by class
I Italy
50 / 70 / 80
toll class B (2 axles)
LV Latvia
50 / 80 / 90
toll-free
LT Lithuania
50 / 90 / 90
–
L Luxembourg
50 / 75 / 90
toll-free
M Malta
50 / 80 / –
toll-free
NL Netherlands
50 / 80 / 90
toll-free
N Norway
50 / 80 / 80
AutoPASS
PL Poland
50 / 70 / 80
e-TOLL
P Portugal
50 / 70 / 100
toll class 2
RO Romania
50 / 80 / 120
rovinieta (cat. C)
SK Slovakia
50 / 90 / 90
vignette (M1)
SLO Slovenia
50 / 90 / 100
DarsGo
E Spain
30–50 / 80 / 90
Ligeros / Pesados 1
S Sweden
50 / 80 / 80
toll-free
CH Switzerland
50 / 80 / 100
PSVA (Via app)
UK United Kingdom
30 / 50–60 / 60 mph
toll-free
A Austria
Trailer up to 750 kg: 100 outside built-up areas. Motorhome over 3.5 t: 70 / 80, no vignette but distance-based toll with a GO-Box.
The caravan needs no vignette of its own; only the towing vehicle’s weight counts.
B Belgium
Combination up to 3.5 t: car limits (outside built-up areas 70 in Flanders, 90 in Wallonia). Over 3.5 t: 90 on motorways.
The kilometre charge only applies to goods vehicles over 3.5 t; motorhomes are exempt.
BG Bulgaria
Motorhomes (M1) use an e-vignette whatever their weight, not the distance toll. If the combination exceeds 3.5 t, the trailer needs its own e-vignette.
HR Croatia
Toll: a car with caravan is class II. Carry a second warning triangle for the trailer. Wild camping is banned.
CY Cyprus
Motorhomes and combinations have the same limits: 50 / 65 / 80 on expressways / 100 on motorways.
CZ Czech Republic
Motorhome over 3.5 t: 80 outside built-up areas and distance-based toll instead of the e-vignette. The caravan needs no vignette of its own.
DK Denmark
100 on motorways only with a Danish Tempo 100 approval (inspection in Denmark). Motorhome 3.5–7.5 t: 70 / 80.
FIN Finland
Unbraked trailer: max. 60. Motorhome over 3.5 t: 80. From October to March many roads have lower limits.
F France
Combination over 3.5 t: 90 on motorways. In rain 110 on motorways. Motorhome 3.5–12 t: 80 / 100 / 110. Toll: class 2 at 2–3 m high up to 3.5 t.
Motorhomes over 3.5 t must display the ‘angles morts’ blind-spot stickers on both sides and the rear.
D Germany
100 km/h on motorways only with an exemption: car up to 3.5 t with ABS, caravan tyres under 6 years old (speed index L+), dampers, weight ratios, inspection and 100 sticker.
Motorhome 3.5–7.5 t: 80 outside built-up areas, 100 on motorways (only if registered as a motorhome). Motorhomes pay no truck toll.
GR Greece
Motorhome up to 3.5 t: 90 / 130; over 3.5 t: 80 / 80. In built-up areas 30 often applies. Wild camping is banned.
H Hungary
Since 1 January 2026, motorhomes (M1) over 3.5 t use the D2 e-vignette instead of the HU-GO distance toll. Speed 70 / 80.
The caravan or trailer needs its own e-vignette (category U).
I Italy
Bike carrier or overhanging load: red-and-white reflective 50 × 50 cm panel. Motorhome over 3.5 t: 80 / 100.
Toll: a car with a single-axle caravan is class 3 (3 axles); a two-axle motorhome is usually class B.
L Luxembourg
Motorhome over 3.5 t: 75 / 90. Combinations over 3.5 t or longer than 7 m must keep 50 m apart outside built-up areas.
NL Netherlands
Combination over 3.5 t: 80 on motorways. Motorhome over 3.5 t: 80 outside built-up areas; up to 3.5 t car limits apply.
N Norway
Unbraked trailer: max. 60. Motorhome over 3.5 t: 80. Tolls and ferries are recorded automatically via AutoPASS.
PL Poland
Motorhome over 3.5 t: 70 / 80 and e-TOLL on tolled roads. For car + caravan, the combination’s total permissible mass counts.
P Portugal
Motorhome over 3.5 t: 80 / 90 / 100. Bike carrier or overhanging load: red-and-white striped 50 × 50 cm panel.
Overnighting in a motorhome outside authorised sites is banned in protected and Natura 2000 areas; elsewhere overnight stays are limited to 48 hours per municipality.
RO Romania
On expressways (drum expres) 90. The caravan or trailer needs no rovinieta of its own.
SK Slovakia
Combination over 3.5 t: one vignette for the combination, including the trailer’s plate. Motorhomes (M1) over 3.5 t also use a vignette.
SLO Slovenia
Combination over 3.5 t and motorhome over 3.5 t: 80 on all roads outside built-up areas. Motorhomes over 3.5 t pay toll with DarsGo.
Motorhome up to 3.5 t: e-vignette class 2A, regardless of height. The caravan or trailer needs no vignette of its own.
E Spain
Bike carrier: V-20 panel (50 × 50 cm, red and white). Motorhome up to 3.5 t: 90 / 120; over 3.5 t: 80 / 90.
Toll: a car with caravan without twin wheels is usually Ligeros; vehicles with twin wheels are Pesados 1.
S Sweden
Unbraked trailer heavier than half the car’s kerb weight: max. 40. Motorhome registered as a truck: max. 80 / 90.
CH Switzerland
100 on motorways only for a light car or van towing a trailer up to 3.5 t, otherwise 80. The trailer or caravan needs its own vignette.
Motorhome over 3.5 t: no vignette but the flat-rate heavy vehicle charge (PSVA), paid via the Via app. Speed 80 / 100.
UK United Kingdom
When towing, do not use the right-hand lane of a motorway with 3 or more lanes. Motorhome over 3.05 t unladen: 50 / 60 / 70 mph.
🏕️
Overnight stays with a motorhome or caravan
Wild camping and one night at the roadside or in a car park: what each country allows, based on laws, authorities and camping and motoring clubs.
General
Use official motorhome areas (Stellplätze, aires, áreas de autocaravanas, aree di sosta) or campsites. Club guides and apps list legal spots; always check the signs on site.
Parking is not camping: keep everything inside the vehicle. No awning, tables, chairs, barbecue or levelling blocks, and never empty waste water outside a service point; otherwise it often counts as camping.
Local signs and municipal rules override the general rule. In protected areas, national parks, on beaches and in coastal zones, overnight stays outside designated spots are banned almost everywhere.
Don't spend the night at motorway rest areas: motorhomes are broken into there at night. Choose a (guarded) campsite or motorhome area and see the Safety section too.
The right to roam in Sweden, Norway and Finland covers walkers with tents, not vehicles: with a motorhome or caravan, stay on roads and car parks, never off-road.
A Austria ⛺Restricted🅿️Restricted
⛺ Wild campingRestricted · 🅿️ One night at the roadside / car parkRestricted Wild camping is a state matter: banned in Tyrol, Vienna, Carinthia and Lower Austria, conditional in Salzburg and Styria, elsewhere up to the municipality. This also applies to motorhomes. Protected areas: up to €14,500
⛺ Wild campingBanned · 🅿️ One night at the roadside / car parkBanned Wild camping is banned. Wallonia asks motorhome users not to sleep outside authorised areas, even for one night; use motorhome areas. Bivouac zones are for tents only.
⛺ Wild campingRestricted · 🅿️ One night at the roadside / car parkRestricted On the Black Sea coast, tents, motorhomes and caravans are banned from beaches and dunes; campsites only, and fines are issued. Inland too, prefer campsites or designated spots. BGN 500–1,000 (approx. €255–511, 2020)
⛺ Wild campingBanned · 🅿️ One night at the roadside / car parkBanned Camping outside campsites and areas designated by municipalities is banned by law, including overnight stays in a motorhome or caravan on streets or car parks; wardens and police check. €190–1,320
⛺ Wild campingBanned · 🅿️ One night at the roadside / car parkRestricted According to the tourism organisation, caravans may only stand at licensed campsites; beaches require a licence. There are only a few campsites, so book early.
⛺ Wild campingRestricted · 🅿️ One night at the roadside / car parkAllowed Pitching a tent or motorhome in the countryside is not allowed, least of all in national parks and CHKO areas. One night in the vehicle in a car park is otherwise fine, without camping.
⛺ Wild campingBanned · 🅿️ One night at the roadside / car parkAllowed Motorhomes park like any car and you may rest inside, within the signs. Tables, chairs, awnings or roof tents need permission; don't drive or park on beaches, in forests or parks.
⛺ Wild campingRestricted · 🅿️ One night at the roadside / car parkRestricted On unfenced land you may camp for up to 24 hours unless the owner forbids it, out of sight and earshot of homes. Drive only where allowed; RMK runs free campsites.
⛺ Wild campingRestricted · 🅿️ One night at the roadside / car parkRestricted Everyman's right allows temporary camping but not driving off-road; in national parks only at designated sites. For sleeping in a motorhome, parking signs and local rules apply.
⛺ Wild campingRestricted · 🅿️ One night at the roadside / car parkRestricted Wild camping is banned in many places, including the coast and near sights. Motorhomes may park, but mayors can restrict parking and overnight stays; use aires de camping-car.
⛺ Wild campingBanned · 🅿️ One night at the roadside / car parkAllowed Wild camping is not allowed. A single overnight stop to restore fitness to drive is allowed where parking is permitted (about 10 hours max.), without tables, chairs or barbecue.
⛺ Wild campingBanned · 🅿️ One night at the roadside / car parkBanned Since 2025 (Law 5170/2025), tents, caravans and motorhomes are banned at archaeological sites, on coasts and beaches, forest edges and public areas. Use campsites or designated spots. €300 per person or vehicle, or up to 3 months in prison
⛺ Wild campingRestricted · 🅿️ One night at the roadside / car parkRestricted According to the national tourism agency, free standing in nature is allowed where not prohibited (not on private land or in priority conservation areas), max. 24 hours per spot. Follow signs.
⛺ Wild campingRestricted · 🅿️ One night at the roadside / car parkRestricted There is no right to wild camp: always ask permission, even on public land. Coillte has a few tent sites for one night max. In car parks, local signs apply.
⛺ Wild campingRestricted · 🅿️ One night at the roadside / car parkAllowed A parked motorhome does not count as camping if it rests only on its wheels and nothing extends beyond the vehicle. Regions and municipalities regulate free camping; watch for local bans. Dumping waste water: €87–344
⛺ Wild campingRestricted · 🅿️ One night at the roadside / car parkRestricted In forests outside protected areas you may spend the night in a tent; private land only with permission. On the coast, the municipality decides. Motorhomes have no special right; follow the signs.
⛺ Wild campingBanned · 🅿️ One night at the roadside / car parkBanned Overnight stays in a tent or motorhome are allowed only at designated campsites, not at rest stops or other recreation areas. Many sites in forests and parks are free.
⛺ Wild campingBanned · 🅿️ One night at the roadside / car parkRestricted Wild camping and bivouacking are banned nationwide; camping only on campsites or with the owner's permission. For overnight stays in car parks, local signs apply.
⛺ Wild campingRestricted · 🅿️ One night at the roadside / car parkRestricted Caravans and campers on public land: from June to September notify the Department of Local Government, max. 7 days per locality, €5 per day. Use designated spots.
⛺ Wild campingBanned · 🅿️ One night at the roadside / car parkBanned Wild camping is banned. Many municipalities also ban recreational overnight stays in a motorhome outside campsites and motorhome areas in their local bylaws (APV); assume it is not allowed. approx. €170 (local bylaw fine)
⛺ Wild campingRestricted · 🅿️ One night at the roadside / car parkAllowed Along roads in open countryside you may sleep in a motorhome, on the road and at least 150 m from inhabited houses; never off-road. At rest areas usually max. 24 hours; check signs.
⛺ Wild campingRestricted · 🅿️ One night at the roadside / car parkAllowed Sleeping in a parked motorhome is not prohibited (car parks, MOP rest areas), but it is in forests, reserves and national parks. Forest overnight zones are for tents or hammocks, not motorhomes.
⛺ Wild campingBanned · 🅿️ One night at the roadside / car parkRestricted Overnighting in a motorhome (10 pm–7 am, occupied) is banned in Natura 2000, protected and coastal areas, except at designated sites. Elsewhere max. 48 hours per municipality unless stricter locally. €60–300; protected areas €120–600
⛺ Wild campingRestricted · 🅿️ One night at the roadside / car parkAllowed In protected areas such as the Danube Delta, camping outside permitted spots is banned and heavily fined. Elsewhere, free standing with respect for nature and owners is usually tolerated; check signs. Danube Delta: RON 3,000–6,000
⛺ Wild campingRestricted · 🅿️ One night at the roadside / car parkRestricted Camping in nature is only allowed in protection level 1 and 2 zones; overnight stays are banned in national parks, reserves and natural monuments. Use campsites and motorhome areas.
⛺ Wild campingBanned · 🅿️ One night at the roadside / car parkRestricted Camping in public places or without the owner's consent is an offence. Brief parking en route is allowed; in Triglav NP and places like Bled, overnight stays outside designated sites are banned. Triglav NP: €100–1,000
⛺ Wild campingBanned · 🅿️ One night at the roadside / car parkAllowed Sleeping in a parked motorhome is allowed where parking is, if nothing is set up outside (DGT, 2026). Awnings, chairs or tables count as camping, banned almost everywhere outside designated sites.
⛺ Wild campingRestricted · 🅿️ One night at the roadside / car parkAllowed Allemansrätten covers tents, not vehicles: no driving or parking off-road. At rest areas usually max. 24 hours (weekends: until the next weekday), unless signs say otherwise.
⛺ Wild campingRestricted · 🅿️ One night at the roadside / car parkRestricted Cantons and municipalities decide. One night in a car park is sometimes allowed (e.g. Aargau, Obwalden), not in Ticino; no tables or chairs. Never in nature reserves or the National Park.
⛺ Wild campingRestricted · 🅿️ One night at the roadside / car parkRestricted England and Wales: no right to wild camp; motorhomes only on campsites or with the landowner's permission. Scotland: tent wild camping allowed, vehicles not; lay-bys OK without camping behaviour.
Vignettes, tolls, mandatory gear, lane filtering and bans for motorcycles in 30 countries – as of October 2026.
On the bike
Vignettes & tolls for motorcycles
Country
Motorcycle price
Note
A Austria
1d €3,80 · 10d €5,10 · 2m €12,80 · 1y €42,70
Each motorcycle needs its own vignette; the digital vignette is linked to the number plate. Section tolls (e.g. A13 Brenner) and scenic roads such as the Grossglockner cost extra.
CH Switzerland
1y CHF 40
Motorcycles need their own CHF 40 vignette (e-vignette linked to the plate), valid from 1 December to 31 January of the following year. There is no short-term vignette.
D Germany
€0
No vignette or motorway toll for motorcycles. Only a few private scenic roads charge a fee.
NL Netherlands
€0
No vignette or toll for motorcycles; the Westerschelde Tunnel has been toll-free since 2025.
B Belgium
€0
No vignette or motorway toll for motorcycles. Only the Liefkenshoek Tunnel in Antwerp is tolled.
L Luxembourg
€0
No vignette and no tolls in Luxembourg.
F France
Cl. 5 ≈ −40%
Motorcycles pay class 5 at toll plazas, roughly 40% less than cars. A motorcycle toll badge saves stopping at the booth.
I Italy
Cl. A
Motorcycles pay class A, the same rate as cars. Telepass also works on motorcycles.
E Spain
Ligeros 1
Motorcycles pay the light-vehicle rate on toll motorways. Many former toll roads, such as the AP-7 in Catalonia and Valencia, are now free.
P Portugal
Cl. 1 · Via Verde Cl. 5 −30%
Motorcycles are class 1; with a Via Verde device they count as class 5 and pay 30% less (not on the Vasco da Gama Bridge). Electronic-only motorways require Via Verde or a toll registration.
CZ Czech Republic
0 CZK
Motorcycles are exempt from the e-vignette (elektronická dálniční známka).
SK Slovakia
€0
Motorcycles are exempt from the Slovak e-vignette (e-známka).
SLO Slovenia
7d €8 · 6m €32 · 1y €58,70
Motorcycles (class 1) need an e-vinjeta; there is no monthly option for motorcycles. The Karawanken Tunnel is tolled separately.
HR Croatia
Cl. IA
No vignette: in 2026 tolls are still distance-based and paid at toll plazas. Motorcycles are class IA and pay less than cars (class I).
Motorcycles need a D1M e-matrica; the "weekly" vignette is valid for 10 days. A county vignette covers a single county only.
PL Poland
A1 · A2 · A4 PLN
No vignette. Only private sections (A1 Gdańsk–Toruń, A2 Świecko–Konin, A4 Katowice–Kraków) are tolled; state-run sections are free for cars and motorcycles.
DK Denmark
Storebælt · Øresund
No vignette; only the Great Belt and Øresund bridges are tolled. BroBizz or an agreement gives a lower price.
Motorcycles pay no Swedish road tolls or congestion tax (Stockholm, Gothenburg). The Øresund Bridge has its own motorcycle rate; ØresundGO costs an extra SEK 545 a year.
N Norway
NOK 0
Motorcycles are exempt from toll roads and city toll rings (AutoPASS). Ferries do charge a motorcycle fare.
BG Bulgaria
€0
Motorcycles do not need a Bulgarian e-vignette (only vehicles with four or more wheels do).
RO Romania
0 RON
No rovinieta is sold for motorcycles; there is no motorcycle category. The Danube bridges at Fetești are also toll-free for motorcycles.
UK United Kingdom
ULEZ GBP 12.50/d (< Euro 3) · CC GBP 0 · Dartford GBP 0
No vignette. In London motorcycles are exempt from the Congestion Charge but pay ULEZ if they don't meet Euro 3 (usually pre-July 2007).
IRL Ireland
M50 €0
Motorcycles pay no M50 toll. Other toll roads charge a lower motorcycle rate.
GR Greece
Attiki Odos €1.25
Motorcycles pay a lower rate at every toll station; €1.25 on the Attiki Odos.
FIN Finland
€0
No tolls or vignette for motorcycles.
EST Estonia
€0
No tolls or vignette for motorcycles.
LV Latvia
€0
No vignette for motorcycles.
LT Lithuania
€0
No vignette for motorcycles, also not after Via Toll starts in 2027.
CY Cyprus
€0
No tolls or vignette. Helmet mandatory for rider and passenger.
M Malta
€0
No road tolls. Valletta has the CVA access scheme.
Gear & rules
Helmet
Gloves
Hi-vis vest
Lane filtering
A Austria
✓
–
–
banned
CH Switzerland
✓
–
–
banned
D Germany
✓
–
–
banned
NL Netherlands
✓
–
–
with conditions
B Belgium
✓
✓
✓
with conditions
L Luxembourg
✓
?
✓
?
F France
✓
✓
✓
with conditions
I Italy
✓
–
–
with conditions
E Spain
✓
–
–
banned
P Portugal
✓
–
with conditions
?
CZ Czech Republic
✓
–
–
?
SK Slovakia
✓
–
✓
?
SLO Slovenia
✓
–
–
?
HR Croatia
✓
–
–
?
H Hungary
✓
–
✓
?
PL Poland
✓
–
–
?
DK Denmark
✓
–
–
?
S Sweden
✓
–
–
?
N Norway
✓
–
–
?
BG Bulgaria
✓
?
–
?
RO Romania
✓
?
–
?
UK United Kingdom
✓
–
–
allowed
IRL Ireland
✓
–
–
?
GR Greece
✓
?
?
?
FIN Finland
✓
?
?
?
EST Estonia
✓
?
?
?
LV Latvia
✓
?
?
?
LT Lithuania
✓
?
?
?
CY Cyprus
✓
?
?
?
M Malta
✓
?
?
?
Belgium: Mandatory: gloves, long-sleeved jacket, long trousers and ankle-high boots. Filtering is allowed up to 50 km/h with a speed difference of max. 20 km/h, on motorways between the two left lanes.
France: Mandatory: CE gloves, reflective stickers on the helmet and a hi-vis vest on board. Lane filtering has been permanently legal since January 2025 on dual carriageways with 2+ lanes and a 70–130 km/h limit, at max. 50 km/h (30 km/h if traffic is stationary).
Netherlands: Filtering is not explicitly banned and is tolerated, provided it is done safely and with a small speed difference.
Italy: Filtering is not regulated: generally tolerated in slow traffic, but you may be held (partly) liable in a crash.
Portugal: A hi-vis vest is only mandatory for Portuguese-registered motorcycles; carrying one is still advisable.
United Kingdom: Filtering is legal when done safely (Highway Code); take care at junctions and with turning traffic.
Spain: Riding between lanes is not permitted according to the DGT; you risk a fine.
✓ = compulsory · – = not compulsory · ? = not regulated / unknown
Emission zones, noise & road bans
Tyrol (Reutte and Imst districts): from 15 April to 31 October, motorcycles with a stationary noise level above 95 dB(A) are banned on roads including the Lechtal, Tannheim and Hahntennjoch routes. Check field U1 on your registration; fines are usually €220.
Bavaria, Kesselberg (B11, Kochel – Walchensee): uphill, a permanent motorcycle ban applies at set times from 1 April to 31 October. Follow the signs on site.
Paris (Grand Paris ZFE): two-wheelers rated Crit'Air 3 or worse (roughly pre-2007) may not ride on weekdays during the day; fines are postponed until 1 January 2027. A Crit'Air sticker is also required for motorcycles in French ZFEs.
Milan (Area B and C): two-stroke and diesel motorcycles Euro 0–1 are banned (Area B Mon–Fri 7:30 am–7:30 pm). The ban on two-stroke Euro 2–3 and four-stroke Euro 0–2 has been postponed to 1 October 2027.
London: the ULEZ covers all of Greater London 24/7; motorcycles below Euro 3 pay GBP 12.50 a day. Motorcycles are exempt from the Congestion Charge and ride the Dartford Crossing for free.
Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands: low-emission zones do not apply to motorcycles in 2026. Amsterdam does ban older mopeds.
Touring tips
Every motorcycle needs its own vignette (AT, CH, SI, HU). An Austrian digital vignette bought online is only valid for consumers after 18 days; buy at a sales point for immediate validity.
A helmet approved to ECE 22.05 or 22.06 is accepted everywhere. New helmets are now only sold to 22.06.
In France, earbuds and headphones are banned while riding; communication systems built into the helmet are allowed.
Always ride with lights on during the day: for motorcycles this is mandatory or strongly recommended almost everywhere in Europe.
A non-approved exhaust or removed baffle can mean heavy fines, a ban on riding on or impoundment in AT, CH and DE. Carry your exhaust's type approval.
High Alpine passes are usually only open from late May/June to October; the Grossglockner High Alpine Road typically from early May to early November. Check the current status before you set off.
Book a motorcycle space on ferries; the crew usually lashes the bike down. A cloth or your own soft straps protect the tank and fairing.
A green card is not required in these 30 countries, but carry proof of insurance and your registration papers. Check that your breakdown cover includes the motorcycle, including repatriation.
Traffic fines from EU countries are enforced across borders; speed cameras photograph motorcycles from behind.
More for motorcyclists
Helmet: ECE 22.06
ECE 22.06 is the current standard. Since July 2022, new helmet types are only approved under 22.06.
New 22.05 helmets should generally no longer be sold since January 2024 (the UK still allows their sale).
You may keep wearing a 22.05 helmet you already own. There is no ban on wearing it.
Check the label: for 22.06 the approval number starts with 06, for 22.05 with 05.
France: CE-certified motorcycle gloves have been mandatory since 20 November 2016. Fine: €68 and 1 point.
France: carry a hi-vis vest and put it on after a breakdown, accident or emergency stop.
France: the helmet must carry 4 reflective stickers (front, rear and both sides).
France: since January 2025, filtering is allowed on motorways and dual carriageways (limit 70 km/h or more), up to 50 km/h and between the two left-hand lanes.
Belgium: helmet, gloves, a long-sleeved jacket, long trousers and boots covering the ankles are mandatory.
France: motorcycles pay toll class 5, cheaper than a car. Italy: motorcycles are class A, the same rate as a car.
Austria and Slovenia sell a cheaper motorcycle vignette (2026: €42.70 and €58.70 per year). Switzerland: a motorcycle also needs its own CHF 40 vignette.
Paris: since 1 September 2022, motorcycles and scooters pay for on-street parking, €3 per hour (arr. 1–11) or €2 (arr. 12–20).
Light electric two-wheelers park free in Paris with a ‘2RM électrique’ permit. Parking on the pavement is banned: fine and towing.
Work out in one screen what a trip really costs – driver, fuel, tolls and fixed costs – and the price you need for your margin. Free with a business e-mail address.
Enter your fixed costs once, used for every trip
Tolls, vignettes and zones taken straight from the route
Trucks and vans have their own toll systems, driving bans and rules. This changed in 2025 and 2026.
Truck toll box
Key changes in 2026
Netherlands: since 1 July 2026 a per-km truck charge applies to all trucks over 3.5 t (N2/N3), foreign ones included. A working toll box is compulsory. A temporary 22.3% discount applies from 1 September to 31 December 2026.
Denmark: since 1 January 2025 a per-km KmToll for trucks over 12 t, priced by CO₂ class. Fine without valid registration: DKK 4,500 (about €600). Extension to 3.5 t is planned.
Romania: since 1 October 2026 TollRo (per-km toll) replaces the rovinieta for trucks over 3.5 t.
Big toll increases in 2026: Poland e-TOLL about +45%, Hungary HU-GO about +35%, Austria GO-Maut +10–13%. Recalculate your freight rates.
Vans of 2.5 to 3.5 t in international transport or cabotage: since 1 July 2026 a smart tachograph (G2V2) is compulsory, plus driving and rest times (max 9 h a day, 56 a week, 90 per two weeks, 45 min break after 4.5 h).
Posting: for cabotage and cross-trade your driver counts as posted. File a posting declaration in the EU portal (IMI) in advance and pay host-country wages. Bilateral trips and transit are not covered.
Low-emission zones also apply to trucks, often more strictly: the Netherlands has zero-emission zones for vans and trucks in city centres, and in Denmark a truck violation costs DKK 12,500.
One EETS toll box covers much of Europe: it saves separate boxes per country and avoids fines at borders.
Toll system
From
Pay with
D Germany
Toll Collect
> 3,5 t
OBU / app
A Austria
ASFINAG GO-Maut
> 3,5 t
GO-Box / EETS
CH Switzerland
LSVA
> 3,5 t
OBU
NL Netherlands
Vrachtwagenheffing
> 3,5 t (N2/N3)
OBU / EETS
B Belgium
Viapass
> 3,5 t
OBU / EETS
F France
Péage
> 3,5 t
EETS
I Italy
Autostrade
> 3,5 t
Telepass / EETS
PL Poland
e-TOLL
> 3,5 t
OBU / app / EETS
CZ Czech Republic
MýtoCZ
> 3,5 t
OBU (DSRC)
SK Slovakia
Mýto SK
> 3,5 t
OBU / EETS
SLO Slovenia
DarsGo
> 3,5 t
DarsGo-box / EETS
H Hungary
HU-GO
> 3,5 t
OBU / app / EETS
HR Croatia
HAC / ENC
> 3,5 t
ENC / EETS
DK Denmark
KmToll
> 12 t
OBU / EETS
S Sweden
Eurovignette
> 12 t
e-vignette
L Luxembourg
Eurovignette
> 12 t
e-vignette
RO Romania
TollRo
> 3,5 t
OBU / app
BG Bulgaria
TollPass
> 3,5 t
OBU / route pass
IRL Ireland
eFlow (M50) · Toll plazas
–
Tag / EETS
GR Greece
Diodia
–
e-pass / EETS
EST Estonia
Teekasutustasu
> 3,5 t
e-vignette (teetasu.ee)
LV Latvia
e-vinjete (lvvignette.eu)
> 3 t (N1–N3)
e-vignette
LT Lithuania
e-vignette → Via Toll (01.01.2027)
N1–N3, M2–M3
e-vignette → OBU / app
Truck driving bans
DGermany> 7,5 t Sundays and public holidays 0–22 h; Saturdays 7–20 h in July and August on main routes.
FFrance> 7,5 t Saturday 22 h to Sunday 22 h, with extra bans in holiday periods and around public holidays.
AAustria> 7,5 t Saturday 15 h to Sunday 22 h (also trucks with a trailer if either part is over 3.5 t). In summer Saturdays 8–15 h on the A4 and holiday roads, 7–15 h on the A10 Tauern. Night ban 22–5 h. In Tyrol: block clearance at Kufstein, a sectoral ban on the A12 and Luegbrücke (A13) works until about 2031.
IItaly> 7,5 t Sundays and public holidays 9–22 h (June–September 7–22 h); in July and August also most Saturdays 8–16 h and some Fridays 16–22 h.
CHSwitzerland> 3,5 t All day on Sundays and public holidays, and every night 22–5 h.
PLPoland> 12 t Summer weekends and national holidays, often from Friday evening to Sunday.
GRGreece> 3,5 t Ban on set motorway and national road sections at major holiday peaks (e.g. 14–16 August). The traffic police announce the times each time.
Driving bans change around public holidays and by region. Always check the country's current calendar.
More for transport
Weekly rest in the cab
Since 20 August 2020, the EU has banned regular weekly rest (45 hours or more) in the cab. The employer pays for suitable accommodation.
Daily rest and reduced weekly rest are allowed in a stationary cab with suitable sleeping facilities.
Belgium: €1,800 fine for the company. France: the employer faces up to €30,000 and 1 year in prison.
Germany: banned since May 2017, with fines up to €500 for the driver and up to €1,500 for the company.
By country: Max. weight articulated truck · Weekly rest in cab
Max. weight articulated truck
Weekly rest in cab
A Austria
40 t
EU ban applies
B Belgium
44 t
banned (fines)
BG Bulgaria
40 t
EU ban applies
HR Croatia
40 t
EU ban applies
CY Cyprus
–
EU ban applies
CZ Czech Republic
–
EU ban applies
DK Denmark
44 t
EU ban applies
EST Estonia
40 t
EU ban applies
FIN Finland
44 t
EU ban applies
F France
44 t
banned (fines)
D Germany
40 t
banned (fines)
GR Greece
–
EU ban applies
H Hungary
40 t
EU ban applies
IRL Ireland
–
EU ban applies
I Italy
44 t
banned (fines)
LV Latvia
40 t
EU ban applies
LT Lithuania
40 t
EU ban applies
L Luxembourg
44 t
EU ban applies
M Malta
40 t
EU ban applies
NL Netherlands
50 t
banned (fines)
N Norway
–
–
PL Poland
40 t
EU ban applies
P Portugal
44 t
EU ban applies
RO Romania
40 t
EU ban applies
SK Slovakia
40 t
EU ban applies
SLO Slovenia
40 t
EU ban applies
E Spain
44 t
EU ban applies
S Sweden
–
EU ban applies
CH Switzerland
40 t
–
UK United Kingdom
40 t
banned (fines)
⏱️
Driving and rest times (trucks and buses)
The EU rules on driving times, breaks and rest periods at a glance, plus notable national rules and fines, based on EU law and official sources.
EU rules at a glance
Regulation 561/2006 applies in the EU, the EEA and Switzerland to trucks over 3.5 t and buses. Journeys partly outside (e.g. Serbia, Turkey): AETR applies to the whole journey.
Since 1 July 2026 also for vans (with trailer) over 2.5 t in international transport or cabotage, fitted with a smart tachograph version 2 (G2V2).
Driving time: max. 9 hours a day, 10 hours twice a week. Max. 56 hours a week and 90 hours in any two consecutive weeks.
Break: 45 minutes after at most 4.5 hours of driving. It may be split into at least 15 minutes followed by at least 30 minutes.
Daily rest: 11 hours within 24 hours, or split into 3 + 9 hours. It may be reduced to at least 9 hours at most three times between two weekly rests.
Weekly rest: 45 hours, after no more than six 24-hour periods. In two weeks two regular, or one regular and one reduced (min. 24 h); compensate by the end of the third week after.
International goods transport: outside the home and base country, two consecutive reduced weekly rests are allowed if there are four weekly rests in four weeks, two of them regular.
No regular weekly rest (or compensating rest over 45 hours) in the vehicle; the employer pays for suitable lodging. Daily and reduced weekly rest are allowed in a stationary vehicle with a bunk.
The employer must plan work so that the driver can take a weekly rest at home or at the operating centre every 4 weeks (3 weeks after two consecutive reduced weekly rests).
Ferry or train: a regular daily rest or reduced weekly rest may be interrupted at most twice, for no more than 1 hour in total, if a sleeper cabin, bunk or couchette is available.
Tachograph in international transport: non-smart tachographs had to be replaced by 31 December 2024, and first-version smart tachographs in August 2025, with version 2 (G2V2).
Bus: on a single occasional service (since 2024 also domestic), the weekly rest may be postponed until after 12 consecutive 24-hour periods, subject to conditions.
By country
A Austria
Austria fines the employer per offence for driving time, breaks or daily rest; the amount depends on the EU seriousness category. Fines: €72 to €2,180 per offence, up to €3,600 for repeat offences.
Police actively check truck parks, including at weekends. In an operation on 21 April 2025, 243 of 294 drivers checked had taken their weekly rest in the cab. Fines: Regular weekly rest in the cab: €1,800 fine for the company.
The employer must organise work so that regular weekly rest can be taken outside the vehicle; a breach is a criminal offence. The driver is not penalised. Fines: Employer: up to €30,000 fine and 1 year in prison.
The ban on regular weekly rest in the vehicle has applied here since May 2017 (§ 8a FPersG). In 2023, 245 drivers and 281 companies were fined for it. Fines: Weekly rest in the cab: standard €500 for the driver and €1,500 for the company; half for negligence.
The ILT (Dutch transport inspectorate) enforces the ban on regular weekly rest in the vehicle. Fines: According to the ILT leaflet: €1,500 per offence.
63 dedicated truck rest stops (døgnhvileplasser) with showers, toilets and lighting, for breaks, daily rest and mostly reduced weekly rest. Some ordinary rest areas close in winter.
The penalty charge is imposed on the transport company; the amount depends on how serious and how many the offences are. Drivers can also be charged for offences committed outside Sweden. Fines: Foreign companies or drivers (EU, EEA, CH) pay an advance on the charge at the roadside. No advance may be collected on AETR journeys.
Own rules (ARV 1), matching the EU for cross-border trips. Since 1 July 2026 they also cover professional van drivers in cross-border goods transport; nothing changes domestically.
In and from the UK the assimilated rules (formerly EU rules) apply. Domestic work outside them follows GB domestic rules: max. 10 hours’ driving and 11 hours on duty a day. Fines: Up to £300 per offence (including a full weekly rest in the cab), max. 5 offences from the last 28 days per check. Non-UK drivers pay on the spot, or the vehicle is immobilised.
Driving and rest times, documents, borders and city access for coach drivers at a glance.
Driving and rest times
EU Regulation 561/2006: at most 9 hours' driving a day (10 hours twice a week), 56 hours a week and 90 hours in two weeks. Daily rest 11 hours, 9 hours up to three times between two weekly rests.
After 4.5 hours' driving, take a 45-minute break. Since 22 May 2024, occasional passenger services may split it into parts of at least 15 minutes.
12-day rule: on a single occasional service (since 2024 also domestic) the weekly rest may be postponed until after 12 consecutive 24-hour periods.
Conditions: a regular weekly rest beforehand, a digital tachograph, and between 22:00 and 06:00 two drivers or a break after 3 hours. Afterwards two weekly rests (90 or 69 hours).
On international occasional services within the EU, carry a completed journey form and a certified copy of the Community licence on board.
For trips to and from Interbus countries (incl. the UK, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Moldova, North Macedonia, Türkiye and Ukraine) use the Interbus journey form.
On closed-door tours the passenger list is part of the journey form. Fill it in before departure.
Also carry the journey forms of the previous 56 days, on paper or digitally.
Since 12 October 2025 the Entry/Exit System (EES) has registered non-EU travellers at Schengen external borders with fingerprints and a facial image. Fully in place everywhere since 10 April 2026.
Groups with non-EU passengers (including Britons) take longer at the border on first entry. Allow extra time.
Dover and Eurotunnel (Folkestone): French border checks take place in England, and coach passengers there go through full EES checks. Expect queues.
UK: since 2 April 2025 EU citizens need an ETA (online, children too) and usually a passport; an ID card is not enough. Check before departure.
By country: Bus motorway · Bus toll · Alcohol (professional)
Country
Bus motorway
Bus toll
Alcohol (professional)
A Austria
100
GO-Maut (> 3,5 t)
0,1 ‰
B Belgium
100*
–
0,2 ‰
BG Bulgaria
100
BG Toll (> 3,5 t)
0,5 ‰
HR Croatia
100*
Cestarina
0,0 ‰
CY Cyprus
–
–
0,2 ‰
CZ Czech Republic
100
Mýto (> 3,5 t)
0,0 ‰
DK Denmark
100*
Storebælt/Øresund
0,5 ‰
EST Estonia
90
–
0,2 ‰
FIN Finland
100*
–
0,5 ‰
F France
100
Péage
0,2 ‰
D Germany
100*
–
0,0 ‰
GR Greece
–
Toll
0,2 ‰
H Hungary
100*
HU-GO (> 3,5 t)
0,0 ‰
IRL Ireland
100*
Toll
0,2 ‰
I Italy
100
Pedaggio
0,0 ‰
LV Latvia
100*
–
0,5 ‰
LT Lithuania
100
e-vignette
0,0 ‰
L Luxembourg
90
–
0,2 ‰
M Malta
–
–
0,2 ‰
NL Netherlands
100*
–
0,5 ‰
N Norway
100
AutoPASS
0,2 ‰
PL Poland
100*
e-TOLL
0,2 ‰
P Portugal
100
Portagem
0,2 ‰
RO Romania
110
Rovinieta
0,0 ‰
SK Slovakia
100
eMýto (> 3,5 t)
0,0 ‰
SLO Slovenia
100*
DarsGo (> 3,5 t)
0,0 ‰
E Spain
100
Peaje
0,3 ‰
S Sweden
100*
Øresund
0,2 ‰
CH Switzerland
100
PSVA
0,1 ‰
UK United Kingdom
112*
–
0,8* ‰
* under conditions (e.g. seatbelts, speed limiter, approval); otherwise lower.
Cities: access and parking
NLAmsterdam · Since 2024 coaches over 7.5 t may not enter the S100 ring. Passengers board and alight at designated stops on its edge (see Tourbuzz); exemptions only for e.g. schools and the elderly. ↗ amsterdam.nl
CZPrague · The historic centre is closed to buses without an exemption. Paid stops (max. 15 min, CZK 50–75) and parking (max. 4 hours, CZK 200–300 per hour) on its edge; pay at the machine. ↗ prague.eu
AVienna · Passengers may board and alight inside the Ring. Parking only at paid coach parks. On Advent Saturdays and during events, access only with a permit (via the hotel or venue). ↗ b2b.wien.info
IRome · Three ZTL bus zones; the historic centre (zone C) is closed to coaches. For zones A and B buy a permit in advance, since 2026 online only via Roma Mobilità. ↗ romamobilita.it
IFlorence · All of Florence is a ZTL Bus (24/7): buy a paid pass online in advance (price by size, Euro class and length of stay). Fixed routes and stops only, such as Piazzale Michelangelo. ↗ servizionline.serviziallastrada.it
IVenice · Coaches need a ZTL bus pass from AVM: online or at a check-in point such as Petroli in Marghera. Park at Tronchetto (max. 1 hour) or Fusina. ↗ tripplanner.veneziaunica.it
EBarcelona · Since 26 January 2026, Zona Bus 4.0: a €35 daily permit per coach via zonabus.cat. Book busy spots (e.g. Sagrada Família, Park Güell) in advance (€3); log times in the SPRO app. ↗ zonabus.cat
FParis · Short stops to drop off and pick up are free (engine off). Parking only in designated bays with a paid PASS Autocar, preferably bought online in advance. Arrondissements 1–4 are a limited-traffic zone. ↗ parisjetaime.com
DBerlin · A green emissions sticker is required in the low-emission zone, also for foreign coaches. Many coach parks are free, e.g. at the ZOB, Hauptbahnhof, Zoologischer Garten and the Brandenburg Gate. ↗ visitberlin.de
HBudapest · Parking in the Castle District (District I) only with a prepaid permit from Budavár municipality. Apply at least 30 days in advance. ↗ budavar.hu
ASalzburg · To drop off and pick up at the Nonntal and Paris-Lodron coach terminals, book a slot in advance: €90 per coach per day, parking included. The inner city has a coach ban from 08:00 to 18:00. ↗ salzburg.info
BBruges · Coaches may not enter the city centre. Drop-off and pick-up at Bargeplein, parking on the Kanaaleiland. Exception: luggage transfers to a hotel, with proof of booking. ↗ visitbruges.be
UKLondon · Coaches must meet the LEZ standard (Euro VI). Registered buses get a 100% Congestion Charge discount. On-street parking max. 4 hours; stop only as long as passengers are boarding or alighting. ↗ tfl.gov.uk
PLisbon · In the restricted-access districts (Alfama, Castelo, Bairro Alto, Bica, Madragoa) coaches may only stop briefly to drop off and pick up passengers; no parking. ↗ am-lisboa.pt
HRDubrovnik · In the special traffic zone around the old town, each drop-off stop from 1 March to 30 November costs €140 for coaches with over 30 seats and €70 for 9–30 seats. ↗ dubrovnik.hr
🧮
Official toll calculators per country
Official toll calculators from road operators and authorities. The final amount depends on vehicle class, route and discounts.
Buy vignettes, tolls and emission stickers from the official seller. Resellers often charge much more or deliver nothing.
Signs of a reseller: a higher price than the official one, an extra "service fee", a web address that looks like the official one and an ad at the top of search results.
Vignette prices are set by law. Before paying, compare the total with the price on the road operator's website. Any difference is a warning sign.
Type the official address yourself or use the official app. Don't click links in texts or emails: operators never ask for your payment details that way.
Don't count on a 14-day cooling-off period: in the EU it doesn't cover services for a set date and ends once a service has been fully performed.
Paid too much or got nothing? Complain in writing and ask your bank about a chargeback. If the seller is in another EU country, the European Consumer Centre (ECC-Net) helps for free.
A Austria
Official sale:shop.asfinag.at ↗ ASFINAG warns against unauthorised online sellers with inflated prices and fake shops. Official: ASFINAG shop, ADAC, Autopay, Tolltickets, ÖAMTC, ARBÖ, petrol stations, tobacconists.
BG Bulgaria
Official sale:bgtoll.bg ↗ Bulgarian e-toll providers warned in 2025 about unlicensed sites showing only euro prices and adding high fees. Buy via bgtoll.bg, the BGTOLL app or an official point of sale.
CZ Czech Republic
Official sale:edalnice.gov.cz ↗ The Czech Ministry of Transport warns about unofficial sites with needless extra fees where data errors can't be corrected later. edalnice.cz is the only official e-shop.
DK Denmark
Official sale:storebaelt.dk ↗ The Storebælt ticket is sold by partner Brobizz. storebaelt.dk sends you on to the Brobizz website.
F France
Official sale:certificat-air.gouv.fr ↗ certificat-air.gouv.fr is the only official site issuing the Crit'Air sticker. Other sites charge more for the same thing.
D Germany
Official sale:berlin.de ↗ The Umweltplakette is issued by registration offices, testing bodies (TÜV, DEKRA, GTÜ, KÜS) and approved garages. Berlin: €5, or €6 online incl. postage, also for foreign cars.
Official sale:eflow.ie ↗ eFlow (M50) warns about fake websites that imitate eFlow. eFlow doesn't send texts with links. Pay on the eFlow website, by phone or at a Payzone outlet.
N Norway
Official sale:autopass.no ↗ Foreign cars: a toll tag via a toll service provider, or register with Epass24 (www.epass24.com), which collects on behalf of the toll chargers. Without registration you pay the highest rate.
PL Poland
Official sale:etoll.gov.pl ↗ e-TOLL never sends texts with payment links. Such messages are phishing. Pay via etoll.gov.pl, the online customer account or the e-TOLL PL app.
P Portugal
Official sale:pttolls.com ↗ Official options for foreign plates on electronic tolls: EasyToll, Tollcard (CTT) and Via Verde Visitors, which is sold only through Via Verde.
RO Romania
Official sale:etoll.ro ↗ In May 2026 CNAIR warned about two unauthorised sites adding a "registration fee" of about 30% to the rovinieta. Buy via the CNAIR portal or an authorised distributor.
SK Slovakia
Official sale:eznamka.sk ↗ NDS advises against unofficial resellers: you may pay more and end up without a valid vignette. Official: eznamka.sk, the eZnamka app and official points of sale.
SLO Slovenia
Official sale:evinjeta.dars.si ↗ DARS: buy the e-vignette only via the official DARS website. Unauthorised sellers charge high commissions and your vignette may not be in the system, so you can still be fined.
CH Switzerland
Official sale:via.admin.ch ↗ FOCBS advises buying the e-vignette only in the official Via web shop. It costs exactly CHF 40. FOCBS never asks you to confirm payment details by email.
UK United Kingdom
Official sale:gov.uk ↗ Official Dart Charge for a car: £3.50 per crossing, or £2.80 with a pre-pay account. Motorcycles are free. Pay on GOV.UK.
Customs & logistics
Deadlines for forwarders, logistics and import/export
EU rules and systems taking effect in 2025–2027 that affect declarations, border crossings and costs.
Customs check
ICS2 Release 3: road carriers must file an Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) before arriving in the EU. No transition period in e.g. the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Czechia and Sweden.
CBAM definitive period: importing more than 50 t a year of cement, iron and steel, aluminium, fertilisers or electricity requires authorised CBAM declarant status. Indirect customs representatives always need it. Certificates are bought from 2027; the first annual declaration for 2026 is due in September 2027.
Entry/Exit System (EES) fully live: non-EU drivers give fingerprints and a facial image at every crossing. Waits reached up to 5 hours in the summer peak.
End of duty relief for consignments up to €150: €3 duty per item (per tariff line) until 1 July 2028. The declarant pays, usually the seller or indirect representative.
Product identifiers (PIDs) become mandatory in declarations for low-value consignments.
EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) for large and medium companies: due diligence statement for wood, soy, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, rubber and cattle, among others. Small companies largely from 30 June 2027.
eFTI: authorities must accept electronic freight information via certified platforms. The e-CMR is already used domestically in the Netherlands, France and Spain.
Borders with non-EU countries
NNorway Digitoll: all border data digitally before or at the latest on arrival. The old 'drive through and declare within 10 days' scheme ends on 1 March 2027.
CHSwitzerland Passar: since 1 January 2026 exports run only through Passar; e-dec Export and NCTS are switched off. Transit moved in 2024.
UKUnited Kingdom To the UK: besides the customs declaration, an advance safety and security declaration is needed, and UK border checks apply to food, plants and animals.
Buying a vehicle abroad
Vehicle import
Bringing a car, van, truck, bus or motorcycle home from another country
Choose the countries and your vehicle: you immediately see which taxes and duties you pay and every step in the right order, with the official links. Free, 30 countries.
Driving a foreign car in the Netherlands: BPM rules
BPM is the Dutch car registration tax. If you live in the Netherlands, your car usually needs Dutch plates and you pay BPM.
Registered as a resident in the Netherlands (required if you live here more than 4 months)? Then in principle you may not drive on foreign plates. You must import the car via the RDW and pay BPM and road tax.
Exceptions, only after applying to the Belastingdienst: short use up to 2 weeks (e.g. a rental car), a car from your foreign employer, or a car from your own foreign business if at least 50% of its business use is outside the Netherlands (with a mileage log).
Not registered as a resident? Then you may drive your foreign car for up to 6 months a year without applying; for paid transport of goods or people, up to 3 months.
Workers posted by a foreign employer may use their car tax-free for the whole posting, including commuting. Students too, but those who also work must import the car.
BPM 2026 for cars: €687 base plus an amount per gram of CO₂ in rising bands (€2, €82, €181, €297 and €594 per gram). Diesels pay a surcharge above 69 g/km. A fully electric car pays just the €687.
Importing a used car? You pay residual BPM. Depreciation is set by the flat-rate table, a price guide or a valuation report; pick the most favourable.
Vans: since 2025 businesses also pay CO₂-based BPM (2026: €76.57 per gram). Fully electric vans pay no BPM.
For car and truck dealers
Rules that move vehicle values
Cross-border trade, VAT and BPM, low-emission zones, CO2 tolls and new EU rules, checked against official sources (status October 2026). Not tax advice.
E-vignette or stickerTruck toll box
Car dealers: trade, tax and zones
For VAT, a car counts as 'new' if it has done no more than 6,000 km or is supplied within 6 months of first registration. VAT is then always paid in the country of registration, even when bought from a private seller; the dealer invoices without VAT but may ask for a VAT deposit.
Used cars (over 6,000 km and older than 6 months) are usually sold by dealers under the margin scheme: VAT is due only on the dealer's margin in the seller's country, is not shown on the invoice and cannot be reclaimed. A business buyer gets a VAT-free intra-EU invoice only if the car is not sold under the margin scheme.
Hand over registration certificate Part I and II, the Certificate of Conformity (CoC) for EU type-approved vehicles and an invoice with VIN, date and mileage. France requires a 'quitus fiscal' from the tax office before any car bought elsewhere in the EU can be registered.
NL: a dealer with RDW 'Erkenning Export' reports the export, records the odometer, cuts the plates in half and gives the buyer the registration document plus a printed Part II. Part of the BPM is refunded if the car got its Dutch plate on or after 16 Oct 2006, is not a damaged vehicle and is permanently registered in another EU/EEA country within 13 weeks.
Germany: an export plate (Ausfuhrkennzeichen, expiry shown in a red field) requires a valid HU inspection, registration Part I and II, the CoC for new vehicles and insurance valid for at least 15 days. Belgium: vehicles leaving the country use a temporary X plate from the DIV with its own liability insurance.
Importing a used car into the Netherlands, you pay gross BPM minus depreciation, using the most favourable method: price list (koerslijst), appraisal report (only for above-normal damage, by a certified appraiser) or the flat-rate table (81% after 9.5 years, no BPM from 17 years 10 months). A fully electric car pays only the €687 base amount in 2026.
Proposals, not yet law: from 1 Jan 2027 a price list could use the car's actual purchase price (BPM at least 75% of the table result), and the export refund may drop the 13-week rule in exchange for a one-year wait and a limit to cars under 12 years. Since 2025 businesses pay BPM on fossil-fuel vans; electric vans stay exempt.
NL: since 1 June 2026 Arnhem only admits diesel cars from Euro 5; on 1 Jan 2027 Utrecht extends its zone to the whole city and bans diesel cars up to Euro 4. In Dutch zero-emission zones, Euro 5 vans may enter until 1 Jan 2027 and Euro 6 vans until 1 Jan 2028 (an extension to 2029 has been announced), so state the emission class in every ad.
Brussels: since 1 Jan 2026 diesel vehicles need Euro 6 (petrol Euro 3), with fines since 1 July 2026. Greater Paris has banned Crit'Air 3 (e.g. Euro 4 diesel) since 2025 but will not fine before 2027; Euro 5/6 diesels are Crit'Air 2. Milan Area B: Euro 6 a/b/c diesels are out from 1 Oct 2028, Euro 6d-temp/6d from 1 Oct 2030.
Truck dealers: CO2 tolls, tachograph and safety
Germany: since 1 Dec 2023 the truck toll includes a CO2 charge of €200 per tonne, and since 1 July 2024 it applies from 3.5 t (craft vehicles under 7.5 t exempt). Trucks fall into CO2 classes 1–5; a used truck with a documented better class (CoC/manufacturer data) costs less per km, which buyers price in.
Zero-emission trucks over 4.25 t remain toll-free in Germany until 30 June 2031; lighter ones are exempt permanently (law in force since 1 Dec 2025). In Austria a 4+ axle electric truck pays 11.89 ct/km in 2026 versus 57.24 ct/km for a Euro VI truck in CO2 class 1.
Austria: trucks first registered before 1 July 2019 are always CO2 class 1; newer Euro VI trucks with proven low CO2 can get a reduction from ASFINAG. The Euro class still counts: in 2026 a 2-axle truck pays 29.24 ct/km as Euro V/EEV, 27.74 ct/km as Euro VI and 32.74 ct/km as Euro 0–III.
Netherlands: since 1 July 2026 the truck charge applies per km to Dutch and foreign N2/N3 trucks above 3,500 kg, based on weight, CO2 class and Euro class; the Eurovignette ended in NL the same day. From 1 Sept to 31 Dec 2026 rates are 22.3% lower (average €0.148/km); zero-emission trucks pay no CO2 component.
Belgium: Flanders added a CO2 surcharge to the truck km charge on 1 July 2026; trucks registered before 1 July 2019 are automatically class 1 and every OBU must have the CO2 class set (Brussels and Wallonia to follow later). Denmark has charged a CO2-differentiated km toll for trucks since 1 Jan 2025, replacing the Eurovignette.
International transport: non-smart tachographs had to be replaced by 31 Dec 2024 and first-version smart tachographs by August 2025 with version 2 (G2V2); trucks registered from 21 Aug 2023 already have it. Since 1 July 2026 vans over 2.5 t in international transport also need G2V2 and fall under the driving and rest time rules, so check the tachograph version when buying or selling.
Safety (GSR2): since 7 July 2024 all newly registered vehicles need systems such as intelligent speed assistance and drowsiness warning, trucks also blind-spot and moving-off information and tyre pressure monitoring. Since 7 July 2026 new cars and vans also need emergency braking for pedestrians/cyclists and advanced driver distraction warning; from 7 Jan 2029 all new trucks need an event data recorder.
Via Germany and Austria: an Austrian vignette (10 days €12.80) and a Slovenian one (7 days €16). Via the Tauern or Karawanken you pay extra section tolls. In Croatia itself you pay per section.
Do I need a vignette just to drive through Switzerland?
Yes, as soon as you use a Swiss motorway. Only the CHF 40 annual vignette exists. If you avoid motorways you don't need one.
Can my foreign car enter a German Umweltzone without a sticker?
No. Foreign and electric cars also need the green sticker. The fine is €100. Buy it (€5–20) from ADAC, TÜV, Dekra or via official city portals.
Where do I find my car's Euro standard?
On your registration document (field V.9 in many EU countries) or on the manufacturer's Certificate of Conformity.
What if I drive into a zone by mistake?
Cameras send the fine to your home address, across borders too. In Ghent and Brussels you can sometimes still register or buy a day pass shortly after entering; check the official site straight away.
For governments and agencies
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