Vignette Hungary—do I need a toll vignette for Hungary?
Are you planning a holiday in Hungary, and would you like to drive there with your car, caravan or motorhome? Then consider arranging a digital toll vignette, the so-called e-vignette, well in advance! The vignette Hungary is mandatory on most highways and motorways in Hungary. This applies as soon as you cross the border into Hungary from any of the seven countries that border it, including Austria.
The vignette Hungary (called e-matrica there) is considered a form of road tax. Whether you are actually on holiday in Hungary or just passing through on your way to another country, if you want to make use of the Hungarian motorways, you will need an e-vignette.
Please read below which vignettes are available and how to apply for them. Through our ordering process, you can safely and quickly purchase a vignette Hungary and instantly find out which e-vignette is most suitable for you. This means you can set off for Hungary with peace of mind. Have a good trip!
Toll roads in Hungary—which roads are subject to tolls?
Most motorways in Hungary require you to pay a toll. This applies to just about any vehicle, from cars and motorbikes to motorhomes, vans, caravans, buses and so on. You pay the toll by purchasing an e-vignette. That way, your vehicle is registered with the Hungarian road authority, and you will not need to apply a physical sticker to your windscreen.
Image credits: ematrica.nemzetiutdij.hu
The e-vignette does not apply on all motorways in Hungary, as there are also a few toll-free sections. But in general, there is no way around the toll roads, especially if you want to move quickly. If you do not have a valid e-vignette, you can expect a hefty fine that is many times higher than the cost of the car vignette. So, if you want to travel to Hungary with your own vehicle, don’t take any risks. Make sure you obtain a valid e-vignette in advance!
The toll currently applies to all motorways marked with the letter M + a number. So if you see M3 or M15 along the motorway, you know that an e-vignette is required. Naturally, this includes all motorways, which all begin in the capital Budapest. However, the ring roads around this city and a number of other cities are toll-free. The map below indicates all Hungarian toll roads.
Hungary vignette—costs and fees
As mentioned, the e-matrica is a digital toll vignette. This means that you do not need to apply a sticker to the windscreen and you will not receive one at home. The vignette is simply linked to the registration number of your vehicle. You will then receive a confirmation by e-mail with your certificate of application. Print this out and take it with you to Hungary.
Please note that the e-vignette CANNOT be purchased in Hungary itself! Are you already on your way, and have you forgotten to purchase an e-vignette? Then you can still buy the sticker alternative at some petrol stations in the border region. Of course, these will have to be applied to your windscreen again. We do not really recommend this, as it will often take up unnecessary extra time, and when you pay in cash, you will often receive change in Hungarian forints at a very unfavourable exchange rate!
The cost of the e-vignette Hungary is determined by two things:
- How long you want to make use of the motorways
- Which category your vehicle belongs to
For how many days should your e-vignette be valid?
Just like in Slovakia and some other countries, it is the number of days that matters, not the number of kilometres.
E-vignettes can be bought in Hungary for a period of 10 days, one month or one year. You must first decide how long and how often you want to travel to Hungary. Then you will know which vignette suits you best. The 10-day vignette is ideal for a one-week holiday. If your trip takes longer than 20 days, it is cheaper to buy a toll vignette for one month. And if you travel several times a year to Hungary, then an e-vignette for one year is the most obvious choice. This has the added advantage that you can drive on the Hungarian motorways all year round without having to worry about tolls! Please note that the annual vignette is not valid for exactly one year. The annual vignette is valid for one calendar year and always ends on 31 January of the following calendar year.
Apart from the vignettes mentioned, there are also annual vignettes for each region. These apply only to the specified region, and you may choose as many regions as you like. The regional vignettes are only available for an entire calendar year—not for a shorter period.
Are you having a hard time choosing? Our ordering process allows you to easily calculate how many days you will need and which e-vignette is the cheapest for you. This makes your decision just a little bit easier.
Which vehicles require an e-vignette?
There are five categories of vehicles for which you can buy an e-vignette:
- Motorbikes;
- Passenger cars for up to seven persons with a weight of up to 3500kg;
- Vehicles for over seven persons and vans with a weight of up to 3500kg, as well as motorhomes regardless of their weight;
- Buses with a weight of over 3500kg; and
- Trailers for vehicles in categories 3 and 4.
Be careful with hired cars!
Are you driving a hire car? Then you have to pay attention. If you hire the vehicle in Hungary, it will probably be equipped with an environmental badge. But if the car is registered in another country, the sticker will usually not be included and you will have to obtain it anyway. So always consult with the vehicle hire company in advance to avoid any issues later on.
Where can I buy the e-vignette Hungary?
You cannot buy the e-matrica for Hungary just anywhere. Naturally, the toll authority in Hungary sells them. However, you can also order the e-vignette conveniently and securely in advance through a reliable intermediary. We will discuss the possibilities in more detail below.
At the ABTA
The ABTA can arrange a lot for you when travelling. But you cannot buy an e-vignette for Hungary there. So, make sure you arrange it in another way, well before you leave!
Buying the vignette Hungary en route
Are you approaching the Hungarian border, and have you suddenly realised that you have forgotten to arrange your e-vignette in advance? Then you will have to do it on the spot. Fortunately, this is possible, but you will have to purchase a physical sticker that needs to be applied to your windscreen in the old-fashioned way. This means there is no convenient e-vignette available. You can get it at a limited number of border crossing points, such as post offices and petrol stations. However, they will need to be open and you will have to bring a valid debit card. You should also be prepared for extra delays if you need to arrange your toll vignette en route. Do you want to travel hassle-free and waste no time? Then it is better to have these things arranged in advance.
Easy and online at evignette.co.uk
Many travellers buy their e-vignette for Hungary at evignette.co.uk. Quick and easy. If you order before 5 p.m., the toll vignette will arrive in your mailbox the very same day! We do charge a little more than the Hungarian website, but you get a lot of peace of mind and convenience in return. Our entire ordering process is very simple and straightforward: just fill in some details, check out, and everything will be taken care of. This is very relaxing, as you already have enough on your mind while travelling.
Plain and simple. As soon as we have received your application and payment, we will start processing it for you. We will need your licence plate number and some personal information to apply for the e-vignette Hungary. Is your application complete and approved? Then you will automatically be registered with the Hungarian toll authorities as the owner of the e-vignette, and you can enjoy the Hungarian motorways! We do recommend that you keep your e-vignette for some time as evidence, just in case you ever find an unjustified traffic fine on your doorstep.
Below, you will find the costs for the e-vignette Hungary. Our rates always include application, processing and registration. You can pay safely and quickly online with iDEAL, PayPal or a credit card. So why do it the hard way if it’s easy?
| Category |
10 days |
1 month |
1 year |
Regional vignette |
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Toll roads Hungary—inspection and fines
The Hungarian authorities are constantly checking whether everyone driving on the toll roads has an e-vignette. Smart cameras strategically placed along the motorways scan and verify every licence plate. This happens as soon as you cross the border! Do you, as the owner of the vehicle, not have a valid road vignette? Then you will inevitably receive a fine, which is many times higher than the price of the vignette! There is strict enforcement and electronic systems know no bounds these days, so the Hungarian fine will definitely be collected. Plus, there will be significant additional costs if you fail to pay on time.
Our advice: Carefully calculate how long you intend to stay in Hungary and choose the right e-vignette (10 days, one month, one year, or the regional vignette). Give it a bit of leeway, and you’ll be fine. Our calculator will automatically work out the most favourable solution for you.
