Toll in Belgium
What is a toll (requirement)?
Most countries in Europe charge toll fees. There is a so-called toll requirement. But what does that mean? Toll fees are charged for the use of many motorways and expressways as well as tunnels and bridges. The revenue generated from tolls is, for example, invested in the road network. This ensures a smooth journey on your way to your holiday destination. The primary areas of investment are infrastructure, traffic management, road safety, and environmental protection measures.
Infrastructure: Construction and maintenance of roads and motorways
Road safety and traffic management: New technologies such as intelligent transport systems or toll bridges
Environmental protection: Expansion of noise barriers or measures to reduce emissions
How is the toll collected?
In general, tolls can be collected in different ways. These include the vignette requirement, the distance-based toll, and the special toll.
Distance-based toll for freight transport
In Belgium, there is no general toll requirement for all motor vehicles. However, a toll is charged for trucks and vehicles over 3.5 t gross vehicle weight (GVW) that are used for freight transport. These toll fees are collected in the form of a distance-based toll (per kilometer). To pay this toll, you need an on-board unit (OBU), also known as Viapass. Other vehicles such as motorcycles, cars, motorhomes, and buses are exempt from the distance-based toll.
Special toll
In addition to the distance-based toll, a special toll is charged for a specific route in Belgium. The amount of the special toll varies depending on the vehicle type and vehicle height and is a flat-rate fee, meaning it is not calculated per kilometer. Currently, there is only one special toll route in Belgium: the Liefkenshoek Tunnel. Vehicles (cars, combinations, motorcycles, or motorhomes) are divided into vehicles under 3 m in height and vehicles over 3 m in height. For example, a vehicle combination under 3 m in height pays a lower flat fee than one over 3 m. The special toll is paid on-site (in cash or by credit/debit card).
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FAQ: Questions and Answers About Your Trip
What does toll requirement mean?
A toll requirement means that fees are charged for the use of certain motorways, expressways, tunnels, or bridges. The exact way tolls are collected varies depending on the country.
What are toll revenues used for?
Toll revenues are generally invested in infrastructure (construction and maintenance of roads), traffic management and road safety (e.g., intelligent transport systems), as well as in environmental protection measures such as noise barriers or emission reduction.
What types of toll systems exist?
There are three main types of toll collection: the vignette requirement, the distance-based toll (per kilometer), and the special toll for specific road sections such as tunnels or bridges.
Is there a general toll requirement for all vehicle types in Belgium?
No, Belgium does not have a general toll requirement for all vehicles. A distance-based toll applies exclusively to trucks and vehicles over 3.5 t GVW used for freight transport.
How does the distance-based toll work in Belgium?
The distance-based toll for vehicles over 3.5 t GVW is calculated per kilometer. An on-board unit (OBU), also known as 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 charges a special toll for a specific route: the Liefkenshoek Tunnel. This is a flat-rate fee based on vehicle type and height.
How much is the special toll in the Liefkenshoek Tunnel?
The amount depends on the vehicle type (e.g., car, combination, motorcycle, or motorhome) and the vehicle height (under or over 3 meters). Vehicles under 3 meters in height pay a lower flat fee than vehicles over 3 meters.
How can the special toll be paid?
The special toll in the Liefkenshoek Tunnel is paid directly on-site. Payment can be made in cash or by credit/debit card.
