Motorcycle tolls in Europe 2026: where, how much, how to save?

Anyone riding long distances through Europe on a motorcycle can hardly avoid tolls. Here is the complete 2026 overview: all vignette and route-toll countries, motorcycle prices and a money-saving tip for tour planning.

Motorways across the Alps, transit through Slovenia, routes in Italy, France or Croatia – motorcyclists pay almost everywhere. Which system applies where, how much does the vignette cost for the bike, and how can you avoid tolls altogether? Here is the current situation.

Two systems: vignette or route toll

Europe has two toll systems. The time-based vignette applies to an entire country's motorway network, purchased as a 1-day, 10-day, monthly or annual vignette. The distance-based toll is charged per kilometre travelled – usually at toll booths, and increasingly via number-plate scanning in a free-flow system.

There are also some countries with no motorcycle tolls at all, as well as special regulations for certain tunnels and bridges.

Vignette countries 2026 with motorcycle prices

Important details: Slovakia and Romania have completely exempted motorcycles from the vignette requirement – legally toll-free through both countries. Switzerland does not distinguish by vehicle type – motorcycles pay the full car price. Austria will use the traditional sticker vignette for the last time in 2026: from 1 December 2026, only the digital version will be valid.

Special toll routes in Austria

In addition to the vignette, extra charges apply on certain routes in Austria (motorcycle tariff, entry 2026):

• Brenner motorway A13 (towards Italy): ca. 11,50 €
• Tauern motorway A10 (Tauern-/Katschberg Tunnel): ca. 15,00 €
• Arlberg expressway S16: ca. 11,50 €
• Gleinalm and Bosruck tunnels (A9): ca. 7,00 € each
• Karawanken Tunnel A11 (to Slovenia): ca. 8,80 €

Route-toll countries 2026

Here, you pay per kilometre travelled:

France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Croatia, Greece, Ireland, Poland, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Turkey.

For motorcycles, class 1 applies in most countries – typically 60 to 70 % of the car tariff. Examples for one-way routes in 2026:

• Munich–Lake Garda (via Brenner): ca. 28 €
• Munich–Dubrovnik: ca. 42 €
• Paris–Bordeaux: ca. 38 €
• Bordeaux–Madrid: ca. 32 €
• Lyon–Barcelona: ca. 45 €

Croatia will convert its toll system to free-flow in autumn 2026 – the number plate will be captured by camera, with payment processed online through advance registration.

Avoid tolls altogether: NBNL route planner

Anyone who does not want to pay at all – or simply prefers country roads – can use the NBNL route planner. With the “Avoid tolls” switch, it automatically plans your tour around all toll roads: no Brenner toll booth, no Tauern Tunnel, no French motorway.

You can also combine “Avoid motorways” and “Prefer twisty roads” – together, this creates the right motorcycle tour along twisty country roads instead of the lorry corridor through the Alps.

Go directly to the route planner: nbnl.de/routenplaner

Where does the sticker vignette go on a motorcycle?

As long as Austria (2026) and Switzerland still issue sticker vignettes, the question of positioning remains relevant. Tested on the Ducati Hypermotard: there are only a few places that really work.

The best position: on the windscreen or on the fairing next to the headlight. Here, the vignette is clearly visible and lies flat.

Usable: on the beak beneath the headlight – but the angle has to be right so that inspection cameras can read the vignette.

Does not work: on a heavily curved mirror, on the fork (hidden by the beak) and on the curved tank.

According to ASFINAG, the vignette must be affixed to a visible component of motorcycles that cannot be removed or can only be removed with difficulty. Recommended: ÖAMTC FixItEasy sticker holder for clean fitting.

Complete overview: toll system by country 2026

¹ Exempt for motorcycles; cars require a vignette.

Penalties for toll evasion

Fines are substantial in many countries:

• Austria: 120 € replacement toll if paid immediately, otherwise 300 to 3.000 € fine
• Slovenia: 300 to 800 € for a missing E-Vignette
• Switzerland: 200 CHF plus supplementary payment
• Italy: ZTL zones in city centres 80 to 100 € per offence

Anyone riding onto the motorway without a valid vignette therefore risks paying many times the actual cost of the vignette.

Conclusion

My impression: anyone riding through Europe on a motorcycle in 2026 should not want to sort out tolls spontaneously at the filling station. In most vignette countries, the number plate is registered in advance – and this can only be done online. Anyone who does this before setting off travels more relaxed. And if you have no desire for toll booths at all: the NBNL route planner takes you around the tolls with one click, incidentally via the more beautiful routes.

Note: Data from May 2026 from official sources (ASFINAG, DARS, ADAC, ÖAMTC). Toll regulations may change at short notice – check officially before travelling.