Slovakia: Višňové Tunnel (D1) – Twelve Overnight Closures and Full Closure in October 2026

The Slovak motorway tunnel Višňové on the central D1 between Bratislava and Košice will be subject to repeated closures until the end of October 2026: the state motorway company NDS started the autumn maintenance of Slovakia's longest motorway tunnel on September 4, 2026. A total of twelve nights with closures are planned, along with a three-day full closure from October 25 to 28.

According to the NDS, around 22,500 vehicles pass through the 7.5-kilometer tunnel near Žilina every day – making it one of the busiest sections on the D1, Slovakia's main east-west motorway.

What is being done in the Višňové tunnel?

During the maintenance work, technicians are checking practically all of the tunnel's safety technology: control system, smoke extraction, fire alarm system, camera surveillance, emergency power supply, SOS cabins, and variable message signs. Since more than 22,000 vehicles travel on the D1 every day, the NDS is deliberately shifting most of the work to nighttime hours.

Tunnels like Višňové are no exception: besides this one, eleven other of the 13 Slovak motorway tunnels in total are part of the same autumn maintenance program. Travelers on the D1 and other Slovak motorways should therefore generally expect occasional nighttime closures until October.

The key dates at a glance

It started on Friday, September 4, 2026 at 7 p.m.: the first night closure affected only the direction toward Bratislava and lasted until Saturday morning. A total of twelve such nights are planned until the end of October, each of which the NDS will announce in advance in good time.

The most significant measure is scheduled for the end of the maintenance program: from October 25 to 28, 2026, the tunnel will be completely closed in both directions around the clock.

Tolls in Slovakia

In Slovakia, the vignette obligation applies to cars and motorhomes registered as cars (class M1) regardless of weight, as well as to vehicles and combinations up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight; for combinations over 3.5 t, the trailer additionally needs its own vignette. Motorcycles are exempt from the vignette obligation. For other vehicles over 3.5 t gross vehicle weight, the distance-based toll applies instead, via the electronic eMYTO system with an on-board unit. On January 1, 2027, Slovakia will switch the distance-based toll to a new system: anyone currently using an on-board unit from operator SkyToll will need to re-register their vehicle (with the national provider CzechToll from December 1, 2026) and will receive a new on-board unit. Rates and the tolled road network remain unchanged. There is no special toll in Slovakia.

Anyone traveling to other countries besides Slovakia on their route often saves money with the Vignette Flat Rate: for 12.80 euros* a month, vignettes for all supported countries are included.

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!

You can find more information on our overview page about the Vignette Slovakia as well as on the page Tolls in Slovakia. Anyone who would also like to learn about another major construction site in the country can find all the details in our article on the road resurfacing on the D1 in the Tatra foothills. If you have any questions, you can reach us at any time by email.