Germany Toll Roads Complete Guide: Autobahn, Truck Tolls and Payment 2026
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Germany Toll Roads Complete Guide
System: HGV distance-based toll (Toll Collect / Maut) for freight vehicles over 3.5 t tzGm; point tolls at select tunnels for all vehicles
Operator: Toll Collect GmbH (federal Autobahn HGV toll); individual bridge/tunnel operators
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Coverage: All federal motorways (Autobahn) and federal highways (Bundesstrassen) for HGVs; private cars exempt from general motorway toll
Technology: GNSS on-board unit (OBU), DSRC microwave gantries, manual booking via terminals (Mautstellen), website and TollNow app
Do Cars Pay Toll on the Autobahn? 2026 Update
No. Private cars and motorcycles drive the Autobahn toll-free. Germany does not charge passenger vehicles a general motorway toll. The proposed Pkw-Maut (car vignette) was ruled illegal by the European Court of Justice in 2019 and has not been revived.
Key Reality: The German Maut applies only to trucks and other commercial freight vehicles with a technically permissible total mass (tzGm) over 3.5 tonnes, used for goods transport, on Autobahns and federal roads (Bundesstraßen). Buses/coaches are explicitly exempt, regardless of weight. Private cars, motorcycles, and motorhomes/campervans (even over 3.5t, provided they're not used for freight) pay no toll, with the limited exception of a few privately operated tunnels where all vehicles, including private cars, do pay. A craftsman exception (Handwerkerausnahme) exists for qualifying vehicles reported to Toll Collect.
2026 Update: From 1 July 2024, the Lkw-Maut was extended to all freight vehicles over 3.5 t tzGm (previously 7.5 t). A CO2 surcharge component has applied since 1 December 2023, and weight classes are now based on tzGm instead of GVW. The full rate structure depends on weight and axle class, Euro emission class and CO2 emission class. These rules remain in full effect in 2026. Zero-emission trucks remain exempt until 30 June 2031, and the TollNow app has offered a semi-automatic booking option since January 2026.
Germany Toll Costs: Current Rates
HGV Maut Rates by Emission Class (per km, 2026)
The Lkw-Maut rate is built from four components: infrastructure cost + air pollution cost + noise cost + CO2 cost. Rates per km below apply to CO2 emission class 1 and the weight class over 3.5 t up to 7.49 t, by Euro emission class:
| Euro Emission Class | Infrastructure (cents/km) | Air Pollution (cents/km) | Noise (cents/km) | CO2 Surcharge (cents/km) | Total Rate (cents/km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Euro VI | 5.2 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 7.4 | 15.1 |
| Euro V / EEV 1 | 5.2 | 4.3 | 1.4 | 8.0 | 18.9 |
| Euro IV | 5.2 | 5.5 | 1.4 | 8.0 | 20.1 |
| Euro III | 5.2 | 7.9 | 1.4 | 8.0 | 22.5 |
| Euro II | 5.2 | 9.8 | 1.4 | 8.0 | 24.4 |
| Euro I | 5.2 | 10.2 | 1.4 | 8.0 | 24.8 |
| Euro 0 | 5.2 | 10.2 | 1.4 | 8.0 | 24.8 |
Rates shown for CO2 emission class 1, over 3.5 t up to 7.49 t tzGm (lightest weight class). Heavier vehicles pay higher infrastructure, noise and CO2 components, up to 51.6 cents/km for over 18 t with 5 or more axles. All registered vehicles start in CO2 emission class 1; a lower class can be requested in the Toll Collect customer portal for vehicles first registered from 1 July 2019. Full tariff tables at Toll Collect tariff tables.
Point Tolls for All Vehicles (Cars Included)
| Facility | Car / Motorcycle | HGV (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Herrentunnel Lübeck | €2.30 | €17.60 | Privately operated; cash and card. Class A (up to 1.30 m at front axle) €2.30, Class B €4.30, Class C (3 axles) €11.10, Class D (4+ axles) €17.60; Quick-Box/RFID car rate €1.82 |
| Warnowtunnel Rostock | €3.49 (Tunnelkarte, RFID or TAG); cash €5.40 (May to Oct), €4.40 (Nov to Apr) | €16.68 (4+ axles, cashless); cash €22.50 (May to Oct), €19.80 (Nov to Apr) | Privately operated; open 24/7; card accepted at cash lanes at cash rates; prices include 19% VAT; cashless 2-axle truck €9.93, 3-axle truck €13.26 |
How to Pay Germany Tolls
1. On-Board Unit (OBU) via Toll Collect - standard for HGVs:
- GNSS/DSRC OBU records journeys automatically; account is debited monthly or via prepay
- Available through Toll Collect GmbH and certified service providers across Europe
- Interoperability: EETS (European Electronic Toll Service) compliant OBUs from other countries are accepted
2. Internet / Toll Collect Terminal (manual booking):
- Book journeys in advance via Toll Collect website, the Toll Collect app, or the TollNow app (semi-automatic booking for trips within Germany)
- Self-service terminals at German motorway service areas and truck stops
- Manual booking is permitted but no retroactive registration: must be booked before departure; existing bookings can be cancelled or rebooked through Toll Collect
3. Point toll facilities (tunnels/bridges):
- Cash and card accepted at toll plazas; discounted cashless tariffs require a registered tunnel product
- Each tunnel runs its own products: Quick-Box and RFID at Herrentunnel; Tunnelkarte/Oscard, RFID and TAG at Warnowtunnel
To calculate toll costs for trucks, vans, and all vehicle types on German motorways, use the TollGuru Germany toll calculator:
Enforcement & Penalties
- Automated gantries and mobile control units operated by the Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility (BALM) check OBU registration and payment status
- Evading the Maut is a regulatory offence (Ordnungswidrigkeit): fines up to €20,000 for operators; vehicle may be detained until payment is secured
- Foreign-registered HGVs are not exempt - enforcement is fully international via the European mutual assistance framework
- Operators self-declare weight, axle, Euro and CO2 class; wrong declarations trigger retroactive surcharges plus penalty, and proof must be provided on request
Recent Changes (2026)
- CO2 surcharge (December 2023, extended July 2024): A CO2-based component is part of the Maut rate for all tolled vehicles over 3.5 t, set by CO2 emission class; zero-emission trucks remain exempt until 30 June 2031
- 3.5 t threshold extension (July 2024): Vans and light trucks between 3.5 and 7.5 t tzGm now pay the Maut on all tolled roads, with a craftsman exception for qualifying vehicles
- Bundesstrassen coverage: The Maut network covers all Autobahnen and Bundesstraßen, a chargeable network of around 52,000 km
- TollNow app (January 2026): A semi-automatic booking option for trips within Germany without an OBU, available from mid-January 2026 (iOS first)
- EETS expansion: EETS providers offer pan-European OBU solutions accepted on the German network
Planning Your Journey
- Private car drivers: no action required for the Autobahn: drive freely; only carry cash or card for private tunnels (Herrentunnel, Warnowtunnel)
- HGV operators: register with Toll Collect or book each trip manually before departure; EETS OBU from a certified provider is the most seamless option for international operators
- Campervans and motorhomes: check tzGm carefully: the Maut applies only to freight use over 3.5 t, so most motorhomes remain toll-free
- Weekend bans: HGVs over 7.5 t are prohibited on German roads on Sundays and public holidays 00:00–22:00; additional Saturday bans apply on selected routes during summer holidays, so plan accordingly
Frequently Asked Questions
Do cars pay Autobahn toll in Germany?
No. The Autobahn is completely free for passenger cars, motorcycles, and vehicles under 3.5 t tzGm. The 2019 ECJ ruling struck down the planned car vignette, and no car toll has been introduced since.
What is Toll Collect?
Toll Collect is the federal government-owned operator of Germany's HGV toll system. It manages OBU registration, gantry infrastructure, and billing. The company is accessible at toll-collect in German, English, Polish, and other languages.
Does my foreign truck OBU work in Germany?
Yes, if it is from an EETS-certified provider registered for the German network. Many European toll service providers (Satellic, DKV, UTA, etc.) offer EETS accounts covering Germany. Confirm German coverage with your provider before travel.
Is my motorhome subject to the German Maut?
Not necessarily, and weight isn't the only factor. The Maut applies only to vehicles used for commercial freight transport with a technically permissible total mass (tzGm) over 3.5 tonnes. Most motorhomes, even above 3.5t, remain toll-free because they're recognizable as motorhomes rather than freight vehicles.
Can I book the Maut after completing my journey?
No. Manual bookings via terminal or the Toll Collect website must be made before departure. Retroactive registration is not permitted and driving without booking or OBU is an offence.
Germany vs. Neighbouring Countries
| Country | Car System | HGV System | Typical Car Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | Toll-free (Autobahn) | Distance-based Maut (Toll Collect) | €0 (motorways) |
| Austria | Annual/10-day vignette | Distance-based ASFINAG Maut | €12.80 (10-day) |
| France | Point tolls (péage) | Point tolls (higher class rates) | €0.10–€0.18/km |
| Switzerland | Annual vignette (CHF 40) | LSVA distance/weight charge | CHF 40/year (~€42) |
| Netherlands | Toll-free (motorways) | Distance-based truck toll (from 1 July 2026) | €0 (motorways) |
| Poland | Point tolls (select motorways) | e-TOLL distance-based | PLN 10–30 per section |
| Czech Republic | Vignette (10-day, annual) | e-Mýto distance-based | CZK 300 (10-day) |
Official Resources
- Toll Collect GmbH - OBU registration, account management, tariff tables, terminal locations
- Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility (BALM) - enforcement authority for the Lkw-Maut; publishes control statistics and compliance guidance
- Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) - policy and legislation governing the Maut system
- Herrentunnel Lübeck - tariff table by vehicle class, Quick-Box and RFID products
- Warnowquerung - tunnel tariffs, cash and discount rates, Oscard, RFID and TAG products
