Eurovignette: what is it, costs, and what has changed since July 1, 2026?

For years, the Eurovignette was a standard part of international road transport. However, as of July 1, 2026, this has come to an end for the Netherlands: the country has officially withdrawn from the Eurovignette system. What exactly did the Eurovignette entail, in which countries does it still apply, and what has changed since then for you as a shipper or haulier? You can read everything you need to know in this blog.

What is the Eurovignette?

The Eurovignette is proof of payment for the use of certain roads by heavy goods vehicles. It is based on the Eurovignette Treaty, a collaboration between several European countries that jointly apply a single system for the tax on heavy motor vehicles (BZM) for heavy freight traffic.

The system operates on a time-period basis: you do not pay per kilometre driven, but for a period during which you are permitted to use the roads in the participating countries. This could be a day, a week, a month, or a year.

For which trucks is a Eurovignette mandatory?

The Eurovignette is mandatory for trucks with a maximum authorised mass of 12 tonnes or more. It therefore concerns heavy freight traffic. Vans and lighter vehicles fall outside the scope of the regulation. The obligation also applies to international journeys or transit through a participating country.

In which countries does the Eurovignette still apply?

The number of countries implementing the Eurovignette Treaty has decreased significantly in recent years. Denmark stopped on January 1, 2025, and switched to its own kilometre charge, and the Netherlands also stopped as of July 1, 2026. Currently, the Eurovignette still applies in:

• Luxembourg
• Sweden

Denmark already switched to its own kilometre charge on January 1, 2025, and the Netherlands followed on July 1, 2026. With a single Eurovignette, you can still drive in both remaining countries during the chosen period; therefore, you do not need to apply for a separate document for each country. Are you driving to Sweden or Luxembourg? Then you still require a valid Eurovignette.

What does a Eurovignette cost?

The costs of a Eurovignette depend on the chosen time period and the Euro emission class of the vehicle. The cleaner the engine, the lower the rate. The time periods are:

• Day
• Week
• Month
• Year

The current rates can be found on the official booking portal at eurovignettes.eu. Please note that rates may be adjusted annually.

How do you apply for a Eurovignette?

You can apply for a Eurovignette via the official portal at eurovignettes.eu. You will need the vehicle’s registration number and must select the desired time period. After payment, the Eurovignette is immediately active and digitally registered via the AGES system. A physical document is no longer required: enforcement takes place via roadside license plate recognition.

Ensure that you select the correct time period before departure. If you drive in Luxembourg or Sweden without a valid Eurovignette, you risk a fine.

What has changed in the Netherlands since July 1, 2026?

As of July 1, 2026, the Netherlands has officially ceased using the Eurovignette system. The tax on heavy motor vehicles (BZM) via the Eurovignette Treaty has therefore been abolished for Dutch territory.

The reason is the introduction of the Dutch truck levy (vrachtwagenheffing), a kilometre charge that has since been levied per kilometre driven on Dutch motorways, instead of per time period. Simultaneously with the start of the truck levy, the motor vehicle tax for trucks has changed: for trucks up to 12 tonnes, this tax has been abolished, and for trucks of 12 tonnes and heavier, a temporary zero rate applies from July 1, 2026, until January 1, 2027. See the Tax Authority on the discontinuation of the Eurovignette for official confirmation.

What does this mean in practice?

• If you only drive in the Netherlands, you no longer need a Eurovignette for the Netherlands
• If you also drive through Luxembourg or Sweden, the Eurovignette remains applicable for those countries
• For Dutch roads, you have been paying via the new truck levy since July 1, 2026

Truck levy: the successor to the Eurovignette in the Netherlands

Since July 1, 2026, the truck levy has been the Dutch successor to the Eurovignette: a kilometre charge based on weight, number of axles, and Euro emission class, instead of a fixed time period. We previously discussed this in more detail, including the temporary discount applicable from September 1 to December 31, 2026. Read all about the rates and how the system works in our blog about the truck levy.

Are you transporting a full load within the Netherlands and the rest of Europe? See what FTL transport can mean for your planning now that the cost structure has changed.

Eurovignette versus Maut in Germany

A frequently asked question is the difference between the Eurovignette and the German Maut. The answer lies in the methodology.

The Eurovignette is a time-based charge: you pay for a period and are then allowed to drive in the participating countries. The German Maut is a kilometre charge: you pay for the number of kilometres you actually drive on German motorways and federal roads. The Maut is calculated based on vehicle weight, the number of axles, and the Euro emission class.

Are you driving a heavy truck through both Germany and Luxembourg or Sweden? Then you will deal with both systems: Maut for Germany, and the Eurovignette for Luxembourg and Sweden. France and Belgium use their own toll systems.

EASY Road Transport and the Eurovignette

As a shipper, you do not need to worry about the Eurovignette, the Maut, or the Dutch truck levy. Our EASY Roaders ensure that all levies for your shipment are correctly arranged, so you face no surprises and your cargo arrives on time. Would you like to know approximately what your transport costs will be now that the rates have changed? Contact us or calculate your rate directly.

Frequently asked questions about the Eurovignette