Toll in Belgium
What is a toll (obligation)?
Most countries in Europe charge toll fees. There is a so-called toll obligation. But what does that mean? For the use of many motorways and expressways as well as tunnels and bridges, so-called toll fees are charged. The amounts of money generated through the toll are invested, for example, in the road network. This ensures a smooth journey on your way to your holiday. The primary areas for investment are infrastructure, traffic management and road safety, as well as environmental protection measures.
Infrastructure: construction and maintenance of roads and motorways
Traffic safety and traffic management: new technologies such as intelligent traffic systems or toll gantries
Environmental protection: expansion of noise barriers or measures to reduce emissions
How is the toll charged in Belgium?
Distance-based toll for goods transport
In Belgium, there is no general toll obligation for all motor vehicles. However, a toll for trucks and vehicles over 3.5 t gross vehicle weight is charged for those used for the transport of goods. This toll is charged in the form of a distance-based toll (based on kilometres). To pay the distance-based toll, you need an On-Board Unit (transmitter device), also known as Viapass. Other motor vehicles such as motorcycles, cars, motorhomes and buses are exempt from the distance-based toll.
Special toll
Independently of the distance-based toll, a special toll is charged for a specific route in Belgium. The amount of the special toll fee varies depending on the vehicle type and vehicle height and is a flat fee, meaning the fee is not calculated based on distance. So far, there is only one special toll route in Belgium. This special toll route is the Liefkenshoek Tunnel and divides the various vehicle types (car, car with trailer, motorcycle or motorhome) into vehicles under 3 m in height and vehicles over 3 m in height. Accordingly, you must pay a lower flat fee for a car with trailer under 3 m in height than for one over 3 m in height. Payment of the special toll is made on-site (with cash or credit or debit card).
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FAQ: Questions and Answers About Your Trip
Answers to the most frequently asked questions on this topic.
What does toll liability mean?
Toll liability means that fees are charged for the use of certain motorways, expressways, tunnels, or bridges. The exact way the toll is collected differs depending on the country.
What are the toll revenues used for?
The revenue from the toll is mostly invested in infrastructure (construction and maintenance of roads), in traffic management and traffic safety (e.g. intelligent transportation systems), as well as in environmental protection measures such as noise barriers or emission reduction.
What types of tolls are there?
Basically, there are three main types of toll collection: the vignette requirement, the distance-based toll (mileage-dependent), and the special toll for certain sections of road such as tunnels or bridges.
Is there a general toll obligation for all vehicle types in Belgium?
No, there is no general toll obligation for all vehicles in Belgium. A distance-based toll is charged exclusively for trucks and vehicles over 3.5 t gross vehicle weight that are used for the transport of goods.
How does the distance-based toll work in Belgium?
The distance-based toll for vehicles over 3.5 t gross vehicle weight is calculated based on kilometers driven. For this, an On-Board Unit (OBU), also called Viapass, is required. Motorcycles, cars, motorhomes, and buses are exempt from this toll.
What is the special toll in Belgium?
In addition to the distance-based toll, Belgium has a special toll for a specific route, the Liefkenshoek Tunnel. This fee is a flat rate and not dependent on distance, and is based on vehicle type and vehicle height.
How much is the special toll in the Liefkenshoek Tunnel?
The amount of the special toll depends on the vehicle type (e.g. car, car with trailer, motorcycle or motorhome) and on the vehicle height (under or over 3 metres). Vehicles under 3 metres in height pay a lower flat fee than vehicles over 3 metres.
How can the special toll be paid?
The special toll for the Liefkenshoek Tunnel is paid directly on site. You can pay in cash or by credit or debit card.
