Germany Toll Roads Complete Guide: Autobahn, Toll Collect and Payment 2026
Click on the map to open toll wiki for a country/state
Germany Toll Roads Complete Guide
System: Free for cars on Autobahn; distance-based Maut (Toll Collect) for vehicles ≥3.5t; specific tunnel/bridge tolls
Coverage: ~13,200 km Autobahn (free for cars); ~52,000 km tolled network for HGVs (Autobahn + federal roads)
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Technology: Toll Collect GNSS/satellite OBU for trucks, ANPR enforcement, manual booking via app/terminal
Operators: Toll Collect GmbH (now state-owned), federal government (BAG enforcement)
Do I Need to Pay Tolls in Germany? 2026 Update
It depends on your vehicle. Cars, motorcycles, and all vehicles under 3.5 tonnes drive on Germany's Autobahn and federal road network completely toll-free. There is no car vignette, no congestion charge, and no motorway access fee. Germany's planned car Maut (PKW-Maut) was struck down by the EU Court of Justice in 2019 and has not been revived.
Key Reality: If you're driving a car, Germany is one of the most cost-effective countries in Europe for motorway travel — zero tolls on one of the continent's largest highway networks. However, if you're operating a truck or commercial vehicle ≥3.5t GVW, the Maut system is comprehensive, expensive, and strictly enforced.
2026 Update: The December 2023 CO2 surcharge on truck Maut rates nearly doubled per-km costs for HGVs. As of 2026, rates range from approximately €0.094 to €0.352 per km depending on weight class, axle count, and emission class. Zero-emission vehicles ≥3.5t and ≤4.25t remain exempt through 2025; from January 2026, zero-emission HGVs >4.25t pay reduced rates (infrastructure component only, no CO2 surcharge).
Germany Toll Costs: Current Rates
Truck Maut Rates per Kilometre (2026)
| Weight Class | Euro VI (S6) | Euro V (EEV) | Euro 0–IV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5t – 7.5t | €0.094/km | €0.101/km | €0.108/km |
| 7.5t – 12t | €0.126/km | €0.142/km | €0.159/km |
| 12t – 18t | €0.158/km | €0.198/km | €0.237/km |
| >18t, up to 3 axles | €0.190/km | €0.248/km | €0.289/km |
| >18t, 4+ axles | €0.207/km | €0.275/km | €0.352/km |
Rates include: infrastructure charge, air pollution charge, noise pollution charge, and CO2 surcharge (added December 2023). The CO2 component is the largest single element, approximately €0.058–€0.158/km depending on emission class.
Notable Tunnel and Bridge Tolls (All Vehicles)
| Facility | Car Toll | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Herren Tunnel (Lübeck) | €2.60 one way | A226, passes under River Trave |
| Warnow Tunnel (Rostock) | €3.50–€6.00 | B103, time-of-day pricing applies |
How to Pay German Truck Tolls
1. Toll Collect OBU (On-Board Unit):
- GNSS/satellite-based device installed in the vehicle
- Automatically calculates and records tolled distance
- Required for regular users; available from Toll Collect directly
- Compatible with EETS providers for cross-border fleets
2. Manual Booking (Occasional Users):
- Toll Collect app (iOS/Android): Book routes before or during journey
- Online at toll-collect.de: Pre-book specific routes
- Toll terminals: Located at border crossings, service areas, and truck stops
3. EETS Providers:
- European Electronic Toll Service providers (e.g. DKV, Telepass, Axxès)
- Single OBU can work across multiple European tolling networks
To calculate toll costs for trucks and all vehicle types across German roads, use the TollGuru Germany toll calculator.
Recent Changes (2026)
- CO2 surcharge (added December 1, 2023) remains the dominant cost component, approximately doubling per-km rates for older diesel trucks
- Since July 2024, the Maut applies to all vehicles ≥3.5t GVW (previously ≥7.5t), significantly expanding the number of vehicles affected
- Zero-emission vehicles ≥3.5t and ≤4.25t exempt through end of 2025; from January 2026, zero-emission HGVs >4.25t pay reduced rates (infrastructure component only)
- Toll Collect app enhanced with improved route booking for occasional users and better EETS integration
- No car toll (PKW-Maut) reintroduction planned — EU court ruling in 2019 remains the definitive outcome
- Fehmarn Belt Tunnel (Germany–Denmark) construction progressing — anticipated 2029 opening with tolls
Planning Your Journey
For Car Drivers:
- All Autobahn and federal roads: €0.00 in tolls
- The only car tolls are the Herren Tunnel (Lübeck) and Warnow Tunnel (Rostock)
- Environmental zones (Umweltzone) in most city centres require an Umweltplakette (emissions sticker, €5–15) — separate from tolls
For Truck Operators:
- Hamburg–Munich (A7, ~770 km): approximately €120–160 for a 40t Euro VI truck
- Dutch border–Berlin (A2/A10, ~600 km): approximately €95–125
- Transit through Germany (French border to Polish border, ~750 km): approximately €120–155
Germany vs. Neighbouring Countries
| Country | System Type | Car Cost | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | Free for cars; Toll Collect trucks | €0.00 for cars | 13,200 km Autobahn free |
| France | Distance-based barriers | €0.07–€0.14/km | ~9,200 km autoroutes |
| Austria | Digital vignette + GO-Maut | €9.90/10 days | Motorways & expressways |
| Switzerland | Annual vignette + tunnels | CHF 40/year (≈€42) | All motorways |
| Netherlands | Free for cars; tunnel tolls | €0.00 (tunnel exceptions) | All motorways free |
| Belgium | Free for cars; km-charge HGVs | €0.00 for cars | All motorways free for cars |
| Poland | Distance-based + e-TOLL | PLN 0.05–0.20/km | Selected motorways |
| Czechia | E-vignette + satellite truck toll | CZK 310/10 days (≈€12.40) | Motorways & expressways |
| Denmark | Bridge tolls only | DKK 236–280/crossing | 2 bridge crossings |
| Luxembourg | Free for cars; Eurovignette HGVs | €0.00 for cars | All roads free for cars |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a vignette to drive in Germany?
No. Germany has no vignette for cars. The planned car Maut was struck down by the EU Court of Justice in 2019 and has not been reintroduced. All Autobahn and federal roads are free for cars.
When did the truck Maut expansion happen?
From December 1, 2023, a CO2 surcharge was added to Maut rates. From July 1, 2024, the Maut was extended to all vehicles ≥3.5t (previously ≥7.5t). Both changes significantly increased costs and scope.
What about electric trucks?
Zero-emission vehicles ≥3.5t and ≤4.25t were fully exempt through December 2025. From January 2026, zero-emission HGVs >4.25t pay the infrastructure component only (no CO2 or pollution surcharges), resulting in rates roughly 75% lower than diesel equivalents.
What is the Umweltplakette?
An emissions sticker (€5–15) required to enter environmental zones (Umweltzonen) in most German city centres. This is separate from road tolls — it's an air quality measure. Only Euro 4+ vehicles receive the green sticker needed for access.
What happens if a truck drives without paying Maut?
The BAG (Federal Office for Goods Transport) enforces via gantry-mounted ANPR cameras and mobile enforcement vehicles. Fines range from €100 to €20,000 depending on the severity and whether the vehicle is stopped for immediate payment.
Useful Links & Resources
Neighbouring Country Toll Guides:
- France Toll Roads - Autoroute péage system and Liber-t
- Austria Toll Roads - Digital vignette and GO-Maut
- Switzerland Toll Roads - Vignette and tunnel rates
- Netherlands Toll Roads - Tunnel tolls and road-use info
- Belgium Toll Roads - HGV kilometre charge
- Poland Toll Roads - e-TOLL system and motorway rates
- Czechia Toll Roads - E-vignette and truck tolling
- Denmark Toll Roads - Storebælt and Øresund Bridge tolls
- Luxembourg Toll Roads - Eurovignette information
