Toll: what to look out for when going on holiday?

The Netherlands has no vignette, toll box or toll for motorways when travelling with a camper. Neither does Germany. But if you want to go further, you need to be careful. The rules differ from country to country, even within the EU.

Austria has an Autobahn vignette for campers up to 3.5 tons technical maximum mass (F1 registration certificate). For heavy campers there is a GO-Box. Also fill in the environmental class correctly. If it goes wrong: fine. There is no “but”.

Italy works with toll booths. Unmanned and barrier up? Inquire, because the bill with a fine will come anyway. You will pay.

To Hungary? On motorways (no toll booths) an e-vignette is required, for heavy campers a toll box. Slovakia arranges it digitally. It doesn't matter how heavy your camper is. In the Czech Republic a vignette is required and for heavier motorhomes a toll box. Is the trip to France, Spain or Portugal? In those EU countries you pay for motorways, but beware: sections without toll booths (“péage en flux libre”) must be paid within 72 hours with a toll badge or otherwise. For Switzerland, the toll can be arranged online. The bill from Norway comes automatically, but registering in advance is cheaper.

It's about preparing and researching:

via the websites of the country
www.anwb.nl/verkeer/buitenland/toloverzicht
www.adac.de/reise-freizeit/maut-vignette/.

There are devices available to make it easier, but not for all countries and often not suitable for heavy motorhomes.

Traveling through Europe without tolls or a box is possible, but it takes more time, kilometers, and fuel. In Switzerland, a heavy motorhome must pay for each day spent in the country.

For now, these toll systems are still a bit of a hassle. Prepare well, just pay, don't get annoyed, be surprised now and then, and most importantly, enjoy your travels.

Arie de Ruijter

Tineke de Ruijter