Before you embark on your journey to Hungary, it is important to be aware that in Hungary, tolls are paid via a vignette or a distance-based toll system. To avoid fines, it is crucial to know who is subject to the vignette requirement and who is required to pay the distance-based toll.
In Hungary, a vignette requirement applies to cars, caravans, and motorhomes up to 3.5 tons gross vehicle weight (GVW). The so-called e-Matrica (Hungarian vignette) electronically checks the toll via the vehicle's license plate. If the vignette is missing while driving on a toll road, fines will be imposed.
For more detailed information about the different vehicle classes and the duration of the digital vignette, you can find it in our guide.
The distance-based toll must be paid if your vehicle weighs over 3.5 tons GVW. This means that motorhomes, buses, and trucks have been required to pay a distance-based electronic toll since January 2024, which is calculated via the HU-GO system (electronic toll collection). Thus, the distance-based toll replaces the vignette, and you no longer need to purchase one.
If these regulations are not followed, fines will be imposed.
To avoid these fines, we recommend that you research which roads are subject to tolls or vignette requirements before your trip. You can plan your route in detail using our route planner, and with the help of our map on the homepage, you can get a better overview of the toll roads.
We also recommend keeping all receipts for the purchase of your digital vignette with you during your journey. The proof of a vignette can be provided through the control section. If you no longer have this control section, you should request a copy.
Otherwise, the rule is: Anyone traveling on Hungarian highways without a vignette or providing incorrect information (incorrect license plate, wrong country code) when purchasing the vignette will face a fine of 16,200 Forint (approximately 40€). Due to video monitoring on toll routes, you can be sure that you will be flagged and fined if your vignette is missing.
If the fine is not paid within 60 days, the imposed fine will increase to 64,850 Forint (approximately 162€).
It is important to carefully check which vehicle class your vehicle belongs to before purchasing a digital vignette. Otherwise, additional fees may be incurred. Reasons for an additional fee despite having purchased a vignette include the following cases:
The fine for driving without a valid vignette is much higher than the cost of purchasing a vignette. So, if you buy a vignette and double-check all the information you've provided, you'll be on the safe side. Even if you try to avoid vignette-required roads, construction zones or new roads might complicate your plans. If you want a stress-free trip and to avoid receiving a fine, we recommend purchasing a vignette for Hungary.
