Europe prepares for more expensive roads in 2026
Next year, hauliers will face toll increases, the extension of charges to more roads and changes to road charging systems in several European countries. For the transport industry, this means recalculating rates, routes and contract profitability.
From 1 January 2026, new toll rates for lorries will apply in Austria, depending on the number of axles, CO2 emissions and noise level of the vehicle. The government emphasises that the changes are intended to encourage the use of zero-emission vehicles and the transfer of transport to rail, without increasing taxes.
From 1 January and 1 July 2026, significant changes to the truck toll system will come into force in Belgium. All devices will be automatically updated to calculate tolls correctly from the new year.
From 1 January 2026, a new road toll price list will come into force in the Czech Republic. The changes include both an increase in rates and an expansion of the network of toll sections, and the emission component will play a key role in the calculation of charges. The fees for vehicles with lower CO₂ emission classes will increase the most, especially in the segment of the heaviest combinations and four- and five-axle configurations. The differences between the classes can reach several dozen per cent, which significantly affects travel costs.
From 1 February 2026, French motorway tolls will increase by an average of 0.87 per cent. Compared to previous years, this is one of the mildest increases since the pandemic. For comparison: in 2023, fees increased by 4.75%, in 2024 by 3%, and in 2025 by 0.92%.
One of the most systemic changes will be introduced by the Netherlands. From 1 July 2026, the country will abandon the Eurovignette and replace it with a toll based on the number of kilometres travelled and the CO2 emission class of the vehicle. The new system will cover almost all motorways, selected national roads and local sections near large cities. The amount of the charge will depend on the weight of the vehicle and its CO2 emission class – the lighter and less polluting the vehicle, the lower the rate per kilometre.
From 1 July 2026, Romania will move away from the vignette system for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes and introduce the TollRo electronic toll, based on the ‘pay as you go’ principle. The system will cover motorways, expressways, European routes and key routes outside cities.
One of the most strongly felt changes in the region has been announced by Poland. On 1 January 2026, toll rates were indexed, and from February 2026 tariffs in the e‑TOLL system will increase by 40–42 per cent. The increases will apply to motorways, expressways and selected national roads for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes and for buses.
Source: trans.info