Vignettes and tolls in neighbouring countries: Austria, Hungary, Poland and Czechia
Every neighbour does it differently: Austria and Czechia use digital vignettes, Hungary an e-matrica by county, Poland charges only some sections. The Slovak vignette is already on the car.
The Slovak motorway vignette is included in your rental. Beyond the border you arrange it yourself — and the systems differ from country to country.
How it works next door
- Austria — a digital vignette tied to the number plate (10-day, two-month, annual). Watch for separately tolled sections such as tunnels and alpine roads that the vignette does not cover.
- Czechia — a digital vignette on the plate, bought online.
- Hungary — the e-matrica: either nationwide or a cheaper county version. For a trip to Lake Balaton two counties are often enough.
- Poland — cars pay only on some concession sections, usually in cash or by card at the barrier.
Buy against the plate, not the windscreen
Digital vignettes are tied to the registration number — so note the plate of the car you are given. It is in the contract and in the handover protocol.
Declaring the trip
Whatever the vignettes, a trip abroad must be declared in advance. The fee for neighbouring countries is the lowest band in the fee schedule; driving abroad without consent carries its own penalty.