Transport and driving

Eurovignette system: how it works and its impact on European logistics

In the dynamic world of road transport, the Eurovignette is presented as a toll system that aims to change the taxation of heavy vehicles. In this guide we will review how this system works, the countries that have adopted it, its most recent changes and other details you may want to know.

Table of content

For now, the Eurovignette only applies to vehicles with a gross weight equal to or greater than 12 tons, however, it is good to keep an eye on the evolutions of the legislation as the scope of application of the Eurovignette could be extended even further and the possibility of including low weight vehicles, such as vans and minibuses, in the toll system is being discussed.

What are Eurovignettes

The Eurovignette is a toll system applied to heavy vehicles of at least 12 tons to enable them to use toll-freeways and express ways in European countries that have adopted this measure. Its main objective is to finance the maintenance and development of road infrastructure and to promote more sustainable transport by applying the “user pays” and “polluter pays” principles.

Legal framework

The legal framework for the Eurovignette is based on European Union legislation, specifically Directive 1999/62/EC adopted on June 17, 1999 and known as the “Eurovignette Directive”. This directive establishes the rules for the application of charges and tolls to heavy goods vehicles on the roads of the Member States.

This directive has been amended over the years to adapt to new political demands, social changes and the desire to include environmental factors. However, not all amendments to Directive 1999/62/EC directly affect the Eurovignette system and have a wider impact on European tolling systems in general. The most important updates to Directive 1999/62/EC are the following:

Directive 2006/38/EC

Introduced more precise measures to incorporate external costs (such as pollution and noise) into tolls and allowed differentiation of rates according to the EURO emission classes of the vehicle incentivizing the use of more sustainable trucks.

Directive 2011/76/EU

Went a step further in the internalization of external costs, allowing Member States to apply additional surcharges related to air and noise pollution in tolls. It also reinforced the use of electronic vignettes to facilitate interoperability between Member States.

Directive 2022/362/EU

This is the last relevant update and adds several important changes. It encourages the replacement of time-based charges with distance-based charges, extends the possibility of including costs related to CO₂ emissions in tolls, aligns with the objectives of the European Green Deal, and encourages the use of reduced rates for less polluting vehicles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The Eurovignette system has many advantages, however, like any system, it is not perfect and also has some disadvantages, so let's see a summary of the pros and cons of it.

By imposing a toll on heavy vehicles the system encourages transport companies to optimize their routes and schedules thus reducing the number of trucks on the roads and thereby improving congestion and overall traffic flow.

By imposing higher charges on vehicles that emit more pollutants the system encourages transport operators to invest in cleaner and more efficient vehicles. It helps reduce co₂ emissions and the environmental impact of road transport.

As a common system between several countries, the Eurovignette simplifies procedures for international hauliers while assisting companies in planning their operations.

The revenues generated by the Eurovignette are mainly used for the maintenance, development and improvement of road infrastructures in the participating countries.

As it is electronic, it allows carriers to purchase it easily through the dedicated web portal without the need for a traditional physical system.

The application is limited, currently, only three countries use the Eurovignette: Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Sweden.

The Eurovignette is based on a time-of-use charging scheme and this method does not accurately reflect actual infrastructure usage. A haulier who travels long distances pays the same as a haulier who uses the roads to a lesser extent over the same period.

Hauliers with older vehicles, which tend to be more polluting, are penalized more, which can be a heavy financial burden for small and medium-sized transport companies with limited resources.

Since not all countries apply the Eurovignette, it creates tariff inequality at the European level and hauliers may try to avoid routes in countries that apply the Eurovignette to choose routes through countries with more favourable rates.

The Eurovignette applies only to heavy goods vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 12 tons or more. However, other smaller commercial vehicles also contribute to infrastructure wear and tear and environmental pollution but are not subject to the system.

Countries where the Eurovignette is required

Currently, the Eurovignette system is used in the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Sweden. Belgium initially participated in the Eurovignette system but in 2015 the country opted for a different one. Denmark also participated in the scheme but has changed the Eurovignette to a per-kilometer road tax for heavy vehicles as of January 1, 2025 and therefore, Eurovignettes are no longer valid in this country.

Cost of the Eurovignette

The Eurovignette evolved with its latest reform to integrate factors that more accurately reflect the ecological footprint and environmental responsibility of goods vehicles. Previously the rate was calculated according to the time of validity, the Euro emission class and the number of axles, but from March 25, 2025, the vignette rate will also take into account the CO2 class. Currently, the following factors are taken into account to calculate the rate to be paid:

Duration of use

Vignettes can be purchased for daily, weekly, monthly or annual periods.

Euro emission level of the vehicle

EURO regulations classify vehicles according to their level of polluting emissions. trucks with less polluting engines pay reduced rates, while older and more polluting vehicles pay higher rates.

Co₂ class of the vehicle

As of March 25, 2025, the CO₂ class is incorporated, a criterion in addition to the EURO regulations. This allows a more detailed assessment of the vehicle's carbon emissions and its environmental impacts.

Number of axles

The number of axles is an important factor that is also taken into account as vehicles with more axles are larger and heavier and therefore generate more wear and tear on the roads.

The following table summarizes the rates from March 25, 2025, based on all of these parameters:

CO2 class	Euronorm	Annual rate (euros) for 1-3 axles	Annual rate (euros) for 4 axles or more	Monthly rate (euros) for 1-3 axles	Monthly rate (euros) for 4 axles or more
1	Euro 0	1434	2404	143	240
1	Euro 1	1246	2081	124	208
1	Euro 2	1085	1810	108	181
1	Euro 3	944	1572	94	157
1	Euro 4	858	1431	85	143
1	Euro 5	811	1352	81	135
1	Euro 6	764	1274	76	124
2	-	688	1146	68	114
3	-	592	987	59	98
4	-	459	764	45	76
5	-	191	319	19	31

For all tariffs check eurovignettes.eu

How to get a Eurovignette in 2025

The payment of the Eurovignette can be made easily through the official electronic portal. Below is the step-by-step process to complete the purchase process:

Select the period of validity:
Once you access the Eurovignette booking system you need to define the period during which you want the vignette to be valid. The period can range from 1 day to a maximum of 1 year. The vignette will be valid from 00:00 hours of the first day until 24:00 hours of the last day chosen.
Enter the vehicle data:
The second step is to enter the vehicle data, this includes the country of registration, registration number, axle number and CO₂ class of the vehicle.
Check the rate:
The system will calculate the price according to the vehicle data (EURO standard, CO₂ class, number of axles) and the selected validity period. Depending on the validity period you have specified, the system automatically calculates the optimal price which is the sum of the most favourable rates covering the validity period you have specified. For example, a weekly rate may be more advantageous than several daily rates.
If it is possible to register a Eurovignette with a longer validity period for the same price, the system will offer it to you. In this case, you can select whether you want to buy the Eurovignette only for the period entered or, at the same price, for the maximum possible validity period.
Select the payment method and pay:
The next step is to select the payment method, it is possible to pay using a credit card or by fuel cards. Once the payment method is selected it will be necessary to enter the details, confirm the terms and conditions and authorize the payment.
Verification and printing:
Once payment has been made the system displays all your registration details, including the Eurovignette number and will generate a confirmation document that can be printed or saved in PDF format as proof of purchase. This proof should be available in case Eurovignette checks with an official.

The Eurovignette system is quite practical, has multiple advantages and evolves to incorporate important factors such as CO2 class. However, it also has some disadvantages that have caused some countries such as Belgium and recently Denmark to abandon it. Despite this, some stakeholders hope that this system will gain in popularity and spread throughout Europe.