Border Crossing Hungary Slovakia

The border between Slovakia and Hungary stretches for around 655 kilometres and forms an important connection between the two countries. This border, which is significant both geographically and politically, is crossed by numerous border crossings that are central to the movement of people and goods.

Border controls

Since Slovakia and Hungary joined the Schengen Area, border controls at most crossings have largely been lifted. Nevertheless, in certain situations, such as security-related events or increased migration pressure, temporary controls can occur, even within the European Union. Commuters crossing the border should always check the current regulations before travelling. The Schengen rules allow citizens of both countries to cross the border without difficulty and without major delays. An important source of information is the official websites of both countries, the Slovak Republic as well as Hungary.

Important border crossings

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There are various ways to cross the border between Slovakia and Hungary along its 655 kilometres, ranging from large, well-developed road and rail crossings to smaller, regionally significant connections. The most important crossings include the Komárom-Komárno crossing, the Esztergom-Štúrovo crossing and the Rajka-Rusovce crossing, each of which plays a significant role in cross-border traffic. While the total length of the border remains constant, the importance of the individual crossings varies depending on traffic volume and geographical location.

• Komárom - Komárno border crossing: This crossing is particularly important as it includes two bridges over the Danube. The new bridge was built specifically for road traffic and makes it easier to transport goods and people between the two countries. There is also the historic Elisabeth Bridge, which is regarded as a cultural landmark and represents an important connection between the two cities. This point is also referred to as the "northern point".

• Esztergom - Štúrovo: The Mária Valéria Bridge at Esztergom-Štúrovo is another key crossing over the Danube. This bridge not only carries historical significance but is also an important transport link between Hungary and Slovakia.

• Rajka - Rusovce: This crossing is located near the Austrian border in the south and serves as an important hub for traffic between the three countries of Hungary, Slovakia and Austria. It is particularly popular with travellers heading to or from Vienna. Anyone entering here via the motorway (M15/D2, Rajka–Čunovo border crossing) will need a vignette from the border: the D2 requires a vignette up to the D2/D4 junction (approx. 9 km).

• Tornyosnémeti - Milhosť: The motorway crossing (M30/R4) in the eastern part of the border, with a direct connection to Košice. Anyone entering here via the R4 motorway towards Košice will need a vignette from the border (Milhosť–Košice-Šebastovce, approx. 14 km).

• Komárom - Komárno rail crossing: In addition to the road bridges, there is also an important rail link in the west, connecting the two cities and therefore the two countries. This connection plays a central role in freight transport and is of great importance to the economies of both countries.

Hungary

The following section gives you an overview of whether you need a vignette and whether there are certain toll-liable road sections.

Hungary: Vignette obligation (or not?)

In Hungary there is a vignette obligation for cars, car-and-trailer combinations and motorhomes – and, since 1 January 2026, also for those over 3.5 t gross vehicle weight (category D2). This is the so-called e-matrica (Hungarian vignette), with which the toll is checked electronically via the licence plate. You should purchase the e-vignette online before your trip, as an additional fee is charged if you drive on a toll-liable route without an e-vignette (2026: HUF 27,790 if paid within 60 days, otherwise HUF 95,730).

Distance-based toll

You must pay the distance-based toll if your vehicle has a gross vehicle weight of over 3.5 t. This means that trucks and buses must pay a distance-based electronic toll, which is determined via the HU-GO system (electronic toll collection). For these vehicles, the distance-based toll therefore replaces the vignette. Exception for motorhomes: since 1 January 2026, motorhomes over 3.5 t gross vehicle weight also need an e-vignette again (category D2); HU-GO is no longer available for motorhomes since then.

Slovakia

The following section gives you an overview of whether you need a vignette and whether there are certain toll-liable road sections.

Slovakia: Vignette obligation (or not?)

A vignette obligation applies on the signposted motorway and expressway sections in Slovakia. The motorway bypasses of Bratislava, Nitra, Košice, Prešov, Poprad, Žilina and Banská Bystrica have been toll-free since 1 August 2024 (sign "BEZ ÚHRADY"). The vignette obligation applies to vehicles up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight as well as to all vehicles registered as cars (class M1), regardless of weight. It is important to note that motorcycles are exempt from the vignette obligation and do not need a vignette. Motorhomes are a special case, as they need a vignette regardless of their weight (i.e. even if they weigh more than 3.5 t gross vehicle weight), provided they are registered as cars (class M1); motorhomes registered as trucks (N2/N3) weighing more than 3.5 t gross vehicle weight, on the other hand, pay the distance-based toll. In addition, for car-and-trailer combinations, it should be noted that if the weight is up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight, only the vignette for the car is needed, whereas if the total weight exceeds 3.5 t gross vehicle weight, an additional vignette must be purchased for the trailer.

Motorcycles are therefore exempt from the vignette obligation and do not have to pay any fees for using motorways and expressways!

The role of the distance-based toll

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The vignette obligation does not apply to vehicles over 3.5 t gross vehicle weight (except for cars and motorhomes registered as class M1 cars: they remain subject to the vignette obligation regardless of weight). Instead, a distance-based toll is charged, which is calculated based on the kilometres driven, the vehicle class (number of axles) and the emission class (pollutant levels). This distance-based toll is recorded using a transponder, i.e. a transmitting device (on-board unit). This allows the amount payable to be debited automatically. You must therefore have such a transmitting device installed in your vehicle beforehand. The distance-based toll covers motorways, expressways and, in some cases, first-class roads (national roads) and second-class roads (regional/state roads). On 1 January 2027, Slovakia will switch to a new system for the distance-based toll: anyone currently using an on-board unit from the operator SkyToll will need to re-register their vehicle (with the national provider CzechToll from 1 December 2026) and will receive a new on-board unit. Rates and the tolled road network will remain unchanged.

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!

We wish you a pleasant trip to Hungary and lots of fun on your road trip. For more information on the toll in Hungary, please see our guide. Feel free to also use our route planner to plan your trip optimally and see the appropriate toll products. If you have any questions, we are happy to help at any time via email.