Vignette Slovakia—do I need a toll vignette for Slovakia?
Are you planning a holiday in Slovakia with your car, caravan or motorhome? Then make sure you have arranged for an e-vignette in advance! This is usually required if you want to make use of the motorways in Slovakia. You can consider this vignette Slovakia as a kind of road tax for certain road sections. Others simply call it “toll Slovakia”. Even if you are only passing through Slovakia (not staying on holiday), you still need the e-vignette.
Perhaps you are trying to plan your route so that you avoid the toll roads. In reality, this is very difficult. Before you know it, you will have to take a stretch of motorway—and if this happens to be a toll road and you are not in possession of an e-vignette, you risk a hefty fine. The toll-free roads in Slovakia are also indicated by road signs—for instance, at the border crossing between Bratislava and Berg. However, most motorways are subject to the vignette obligation.
Therefore, you should not take any risks and arrange for the right e-vignette in time before you travel to Slovakia. Below, we will explain what type of vignettes are available and how you can apply for them. Our ordering process instantly indicates which vignette is the most suitable for you. This means you can set off for Slovakia with peace of mind. Have a good trip!
Toll Slovakia—which roads require a vignette?
Image credits: emyto.sk
In the UK, we are used to being able to drive freely on all roads. Only some tunnels, bridges and ferries may require you to pay a toll. In Slovakia, this is different, as you are required to pay a toll on many motorways. Most “normal” cars, trailers, caravans and motorhomes (up to 3500kg) can do so by purchasing an e-vignette. You will then be registered with the Slovak road authority, and you will not need to apply a physical sticker to your windscreen. Heavy vehicles weighing more than 3500kg (buses, lorries, large motorhomes, etc.) are subject to toll collection via an electronic toll badge, also known as a MYTO box. Motorcyclists are not required to pay a toll and therefore do not need to purchase an e-vignette.
Some parts of the motorway network are toll-free, but the vast majority remain subject to tolls. It is therefore very likely that you will always end up on a toll road, where the road vignette is mandatory!
The toll currently applies to sections of the following motorways: D1, D2, D3, D4, R1, R1A, R2, R4 and R6. These routes are always clearly signposted, so you can immediately recognise where a toll route starts and also where it ends. The map below indicates all Slovak toll roads, which are a combined 700 km.
Special circumstances
Do all vehicles on motorways in Slovakia need an e-vignette? No, there are a few exceptions. For instance, several Slovakian emergency and public services do not require a vignette. In addition, there is also an arrangement for people in possession of a European disability card, although it is not easy to arrange this from the UK.
Be careful with hired cars!
Take care when travelling in a hired car. If you hire one in Slovakia, it usually already includes a vignette. If the hire car is registered in another country, the vignette is often not included, so you will have to obtain one anyway. In that case, always consult with the vehicle hire company first.
Toll vignette Slovakia—types of vignettes and costs
The cost of the e-vignette Slovakia is determined by two things:
- how long you want to make use of the motorways
- which category your vehicle belongs to
How many days should your e-vignette be valid?
The number of kilometres you drive in Slovakia does not matter. Instead, your toll requirement is based on the number of days you spend there. And that is different from countries like France and Italy.
Slovak e-vignettes can be purchased for a period of 10 days, 30 days, 365 days or 1 year. Which vignette you need therefore depends primarily on your travel plans. If you are going to be touring Slovakia for a week, a 10-day vignette is the best and cheapest option. If the journey takes a little longer, the 30-day vignette is a good idea. And if you travel several times a year to Slovakia, you have the choice between a vignette for 365 days or 1 year. The difference between the two? A 365-day vignette can be purchased on any day of the year and is valid for exactly 365 days thereafter. A 1-year vignette starts on 1 January of a given year and is valid until 31 January of the following year, even if you buy the e-vignette somewhere in the middle of the starting year. Therefore, it may be valid for up to 13 months, or for a shorter period—it depends on when you buy it!
Are you having a hard time choosing? Our ordering process allows you to easily calculate how many days you will need, as well as 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 four types of vehicles for which you can buy an e-vignette:
- two-track motor vehicles with a weight of up to 3500kg;
- two-track motor vehicles of category M1, regardless of weight;
- two-track vehicle combinations with a weight of up to 3500kg;
- two-track vehicle combinations with a weight over 3500kg;
- A vehicle combination consisting of a vehicle (such as a car or van) with a trailer (such as a caravan or trailer).
For types 1 to 3, you only need one e-vignette (for the vehicle or tractor). Only for type 4 do you need two e-vignettes. So, if your car and caravan combined are lighter than 3500kg, you must buy one e-vignette. If your combination is heavier, you have to purchase two e-vignettes: one for the car and one for the trailer or caravan.
Where to buy the e-vignette Slovakia?
You can’t buy an e-vignette for Slovakia just anywhere. You can, of course, pay (by credit card) at the official toll authorities in Slovakia or at a limited number of locations near border crossings. However, you can also order your e-vignette conveniently and securely in advance through a reliable intermediary. We will discuss the possibilities in more detail below.
Buying the vignette Slovakia en route
Have you, in spite of being well prepared, forgotten to arrange your e-vignette in advance? Then you can still cross the Slovakian border, but you must buy an e-vignette somewhere as soon as possible. This can be done at some petrol stations and some post offices. However, they will need to be open, and you will have to bring a valid debit card. And if you are not the only one there, it can also cause some additional delay. Do you wish to travel in peace, without wasting precious time? Then it is always better to have these things arranged in advance.
Buying a Slovakia vignette at the ABTA
The ABTA is always at your disposal to arrange just about anything. But, unfortunately, you cannot buy an e-vignette for Slovakia there. So, make sure you arrange it in another way, well before you leave!
Easy and online at evignette.co.uk
Many travellers buy their e-vignette for Slovakia at evignette.co.uk because it is quick and easy. We do charge a little more than the Slovakian 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 convenient, as you already have enough on your mind when 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 Slovakia. Is your application complete and approved? Then you will automatically be registered with the Slovak toll authorities as the owner of the e-vignette and you can enjoy the Slovakian motorways!
The costs for the e-vignette Slovakia always include application, processing and registration. You can pay safely and quickly online with iDEAL, PayPal or a credit card. Why do it the hard way when we make it so easy?
Toll roads Slovakia—inspections and fines
Of course, the Slovakian authorities keep a close eye on whether everyone driving on the motorways is in possession of an e-vignette. This is done using intelligent cameras that are strategically placed along the motorways. They scan and verify every licence plate instantly. 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! People used to ridicule this in the past, but these days, there is no escape and the fine is actually being collected. Plus, there are significant additional costs if you fail to pay on time.
Our advice: Calculate carefully how long you intend to stay in Slovakia and choose the appropriate e-vignette (10 days, 30 days, 365 days or 1 year). Give it a bit of leeway, and you’ll be fine.
