Before you embark on your journey to Slovakia, we would like to inform you about what you need to consider. In particular, the concept of tolls needs to be explained so you know whether you need a digital vignette or whether you have to pay the distance-based toll for your vehicle using a transponder.
Toll fees are used to finance the maintenance, operation, and construction of new roads in Slovakia. The toll fees are either collected through a vignette or paid via the distance-based toll system. The next section explains the differences between these two types of toll charges.
Almost all motorway and expressway sections in Slovakia are subject to the vignette requirement. Drivers can recognize toll-required motorways by the traffic signs. Sections without fees are marked with signs indicating "BEZ UHRADY" (without toll). The digital vignette (also called the E-vignette) for Slovak motorways and expressways replaced the original adhesive vignette and has been in use since 2020.
The vignette requirement involves toll fees that are not calculated by distance, but are a flat fee that varies depending on the duration of your trip. Therefore, you purchase a vignette before your journey and pay a one-time fee to cover all toll-required sections (excluding special toll routes, which always incur additional fees). The vignette requirement applies to vehicles up to 3.5 tons gross vehicle weight (GVW).
It is important to note that motorcycles are exempt from the vignette requirement and do not need a vignette. Furthermore, motorhomes are a special case, as they require a vignette regardless of their weight (even if they weigh over 3.5 tons GVW). Additionally, when towing a trailer (car + trailer), if the total weight is under 3.5 tons GVW, only the vignette for the car is required, but if the total weight exceeds 3.5 tons GVW, an additional vignette for the trailer must be purchased.
Motorcycles are thus exempt from the vignette requirement and do not have to pay fees to use motorways and expressways!
The vignette requirement does not apply to vehicles over 3.5 tons GVW. However, motorhomes are exempt from this weight regulation and are still required to purchase a vignette, meaning they do not need to pay the distance-based toll. For all other vehicles over 3.5 tons GVW, a distance-based toll is charged, which is based on the distance traveled, the vehicle class (number of axles), and the emission class (pollutant levels). This distance-based toll is recorded using a transponder (on-board unit), so the toll fee can be automatically deducted. Therefore, you must have such a device installed in your vehicle before driving. The distance-based toll covers motorways, expressways, and some first (federal roads) and second-class roads (state roads).
More information on the different vehicle classes can be found here.
With us, you get the all-inclusive package for your digital vignette in Slovakia. You decide for how long you want to purchase your digital vignette and register it directly online through our secure connection. All of this can be done conveniently from home. After a successful and secure payment, which you can make through all major payment providers (Paypal, SofortÜberweisung, GiroPay, iDeal, eps, Sepa, Stripe, Visa, Mastercard, and Klarna), we will register the digital vignette or toll product to your license plate. We believe that traveling should be as easy as possible nowadays.
With us, you can choose from different validity periods depending on the length of your trip.
We deal with tolls in Slovakia every day and keep an eye on potential legal changes. Especially when planning a vacation, questions may arise that are not answered on this page. If this happens, feel free to contact us via [email protected]. We would be happy to take the time to address your concerns in detail. This will ensure that your trip to Slovakia is a complete success!
