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

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

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

What is being done in the Višňové tunnel?

During the maintenance work, technicians check virtually 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 over the D1 every day, the NDS deliberately shifts most of the work into the night hours.

Tunnels like Višňové are no exception: besides it, eleven of the total 13 Slovakian motorway tunnels are also part of the same autumn maintenance programme. Travellers on the D1 and other Slovakian motorways should therefore generally expect occasional night closures until October.

Key dates at a glance

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

The most significant measure comes at the end of the maintenance programme: from 25 to 28 October 2026, the tunnel will be completely closed in both directions around the clock.

Tolls in Slovakia

In Slovakia, the vignette obligation applies to cars, cars with trailers and motorhomes up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight. Motorcycles are exempt from the vignette obligation. For vehicles over 3.5 t gross vehicle weight, the distance-based toll applies instead, via the electronic eMYTO system with an on-board unit. There is no special toll in Slovakia.

Anyone travelling through countries other than Slovakia on their route often saves money with the Europamaut flat rate: for 12.80 euros a month, vignettes for all supported countries are included, with no minimum term and cancellable at any time.

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!

For further information, please visit our overview page on the Slovakia vignette as well as the page Tolls in Slovakia. Anyone wanting additional information on the other two major construction sites in the country will find all the details in our articles on the full D1 closure in the Tatra foothills and the full D3 closure near Svrčinovec. If you have any questions, you can reach us at any time by email.