Hungary: M1 motorway near Biatorbágy restricted due to widening works (September 2026)
On the Hungarian M1 motorway between Budapest and the Austrian border at Hegyeshalom, extensive expansion works have been underway since the end of August 2026. Between kilometres 19 and 22 near Biatorbágy, shortly before the M0 motorway ring, the carriageway towards Budapest has been diverted onto the opposite carriageway. Status of this report: 17 September 2026. Before your trip, check with the Hungarian road information service Útinform whether the restrictions are still in place.
The reason is the widening of the M1 in this section. Traffic heading towards Budapest is being routed via the opposite carriageway, where both directions each share two lanes. Anyone travelling by car on the M1 needs the vignette for Hungary (e-matrica) anyway – and its prices are likely to rise slightly in 2027.
Additional restriction at the border crossing near Hegyeshalom
Further west, at the Szárliget junction near kilometre 48 in the direction of Hegyeshalom, on- and off-ramps were also closed in September. Diversions were marked on site with yellow signs. Hegyeshalom is the most important border crossing between Hungary and Austria on the M1 and is therefore a key point for all travel traffic between the two countries. Travellers entering from Austria will accordingly need the vignette for Austria for the return journey.
How long will the roadworks last?
No official end date was known as of the latest update. The daily traffic reports from the Hungarian road information service Útinform already showed the diversion near Biatorbágy at the end of August 2026 and most recently reported it unchanged on 17 September 2026 – the works are part of a longer-term expansion project on the M1.
What does this mean for your journey?
Anyone travelling on the M1 between Budapest, Győr and the Austrian border should expect temporary delays at the Biatorbágy junction and at the Hegyeshalom border crossing, and should plan for some extra buffer time, especially on travel weekends. The current traffic situation is best checked shortly before setting off via Útinform or a navigation app with live traffic data.
Hungary toll at a glance
For cars, motorcycles and motorhomes up to 3.5 t GVW, the digital vignette requirement (e-Matrica) applies on motorways and expressways. It is a flat fee for a fixed period. Unlike in many other countries, motorcycles in Hungary are not exempt from the vignette requirement.
For trucks and buses over 3.5 t GVW, the distance-based toll of the HU-GO system applies instead. Its amount depends on factors such as road category, distance driven, vehicle class and emission class. Motorhomes remain subject to the e-Matrica vignette requirement (category D2) even above 3.5 t GVW and do not switch to HU-GO. Hungary has no separate special toll.
All details on tolls in HungaryThe vignette flat rate explained
With our vignette flat rate, you save yourself the hassle of buying individually for each trip: for just 12,80 €* per month, it covers the included vignettes in 8 European countries. For each trip, simply select the appropriate vignette, and the toll fee is then already covered by your flat rate. You are not tied to any single country.
* ASFINAG toll fee (10-day vignette): 12.80 €, toll fee fully covered by DMC, flat price (per monthly billing period): 12,80 €, notice period 0 days.
- One flat rate, 8 countries
- Travel flexibly
- Termination directly in the administration
The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!
We wish you a good and safe trip on the M1! You can find all the information on the vignette requirement in Hungary in our guide to the Hungary vignette.
Frequently asked questions about the M1 expansion at Biatorbágy
The most important answers about the roadworks between Budapest and the border at Hegyeshalom.
Do I have to take a different route because of the construction work near Biatorbágy?
No, there is no large-scale detour. Traffic heading towards Budapest is redirected directly at the construction site onto the opposite carriageway, where both directions share the available lanes. Anyone who can should plan their trips outside of rush hour.
Do I still need a vignette for the M1?
Until when will the construction work near Biatorbágy last?
Does the construction site also affect the Hegyeshalom border crossing?
