Toll roads in Hungary: everything you need to know about tolls and stickers on the motorway
In Hungary, the toll road system mainly covers highways and expressways. To use them, motorists need to purchase an electronic vignette , on the basis of which they pay traffic tickets. In this article, we explain how the toll road network works in Hungary, what types of vignettes there are, and what prices you can expect.
How does the toll road system work in Hungary?
Hungary’s toll road network includes motorways (e.g. M1 , M3 , M5 and M7) and expressways (e.g. M6 , M60 ). The fee for their use is regulated by the system of electronic vignettes , on the basis of which it is necessary to pre-purchase a sticker for a certain period and type of vehicle.
Tolls are collected not at physical barriers, but through an electronic system that checks the vehicle’s license plate.
What are the types of electronic vignettes?
Motorists can choose from a variety of electronic stickers for different validity periods and categories of vehicles. The most frequently used categories are:
- Weekly (10-Day) Vignette : Ideal for short trips such as vacations. A 10-day sticker is valid for 10 consecutive calendar days.
- Monthly vignette : valid for one month starting from the day of purchase until the same day of the following month.
- Annual vignette : valid from January 1 to December 31 of the current year, but can be used throughout the year after purchase. In addition to the national annual sticker, there is also a county annual sticker that is limited to a specific county.
Prices of electronic vignettes in Hungary in 2024
Prices depend on the type of car. Below are the prices for 2024 for category D1 (passenger cars up to 3.5 tons, up to 7 people):
- Weekly (10-day) vignette : HUF 5,500
- Monthly vignette : HUF 8,900
- Annual national vignette : HUF 52,000
- Annual district vignette : HUF 5,720/district
Other categories of vehicles:
- Category D2 (for example, minibuses with more than 9 passengers): the price of category D2 is higher, for example, the weekly vignette is HUF 8,000 and the annual vignette is HUF 75,000 .
- Category B2 (buses): for B2 vehicles, the price of a weekly vignette is HUF 17,000 , and the price of an annual national sticker is HUF 199,000 .
A separate electronic vignette for motorcycles with a discount is also available in the D1M category, for example, the price of a weekly vignette is HUF 2,900 .
How to buy an electronic vignette
Buying an e-sticker is quick and easy, and you can do it in several ways:
- Online : through the website ematicra.nemzetiutdij.hu or through other official mobile applications.
- Via SMS : Some mobile service providers offer the option to make purchases via SMS.
- At Gas Stations : An electronic sticker can be purchased at most gas stations and highway rest areas.
- At customer service points : at some post offices and national toll offices.
When purchasing, you must specify the vehicle’s license plate, category and which sticker you wish to purchase. The validity period begins immediately after purchase.
Fines for driving without a vignette
If a vehicle drives on a toll road without a valid electronic vignette , you can face serious fines. Surcharges can be:
- Category D1 : HUF 18,750, if the surcharge is paid within 30 days, it increases to HUF 74,970.
- Category D2 : Additional fee is HUF 26,500 and HUF 110,000 in case of late payment.
Therefore, it is important to always check whether we have a valid vignette and buy it in time.
Advantages of regional vignettes
District vignettes offer ordinary motorists the opportunity to drive cheaper within the given district. This is especially convenient for those who often travel to a certain region, for example, for work. The price of the county sticker is HUF 5,720 per year and is valid on all sections of toll roads in the respective county.
Tips for using toll roads
- Buy on time : Always make sure you have a valid vignette, especially if you’re crossing a county line.
- Keep your confirmation : When you make an online purchase, you will receive a confirmation that you should keep in case there is a problem later.
- Use a county vignette : If you only drive in a specific county, a county sticker can save you a lot.
Resume
In Hungary, the toll road system is based on electronic stickers , which allow motorists to freely use highways and expressways. Buying an e-sticker is quick and easy, and you can choose from several categories depending on the type of car and length of trip. Remember that driving without a valid vignette can result in serious fines, so always make sure you are properly prepared for your journey.