Difference: vignette vs. toll

The difference between the vignette and the toll, also called "route-related toll" or "distance-dependent toll", is not known to many. Often the terms are used interchangeably. The difference lies in how and for what the fees are charged.

The Most Important

Vignette: The vignette denotes proof of payment for driving on motorways and expressways subject to a vignette requirement. You can purchase the vignette as a sticker vignette and stick it on the inside of the windshield, or buy it digitally, whereby the vignette is simply linked to the license plate.

Toll: The (route-related) toll is a fee that must be paid for the use of certain transport infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, tunnels or motorways. With these fees, the driver contributes to the financing of this transport infrastructure.

What is a vignette?

In eight European countries, you must buy a vignette to drive on motorways and expressways. Purchasing a vignette is mandatory, and non-payment results in a penalty. The countries Austria, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic and Hungary require a vignette.

The vignette is paid only for a certain period of time, regardless of the number of kilometers. The vignette can be purchased in advance and is stuck on the inside of the windshield as proof of payment, entitling you to use the motorway network and expressways of the respective country for a predetermined period.

With the vignette, you can choose between a sticker, i.e. a so-called sticker vignette, or a digital vignette. If private individuals purchase a digital 2-month or annual vignette online, a blocking period of 18 days applies. Our flat rate's 10-day vignette, on the other hand, is valid immediately.

What is a (route-related) toll?

The term toll, also known as a road usage fee, refers to a route-related fee for using motorways and expressways. This means that the toll is a fee to be paid in addition to the vignette, which must be paid for certain sections of the route. This includes roads, bridges, tunnels and motorways. The toll is calculated based on the kilometers you have driven. In addition to the kilometers driven, infrastructure costs and the costs of the environmental impact caused are also added.

The toll rate varies from country to country. In Austria, you pay the route toll on-site at the toll station or in advance online with ASFINAG. Vehicles over 3.5 t pay the GO toll via the GO-Box. Neither is included in our flat rate.

The revenue is used to further expand the road network in the respective country. Therefore, you must also pay fines if you do not comply with the route-related toll obligation.

This means that with a vignette purchased in advance, you can already cover most of a country and only need to pay an extra route toll for certain roads or structures.