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 vehicles over 3.5 t; point tolls at select bridges and 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 most federal highways (Bundesstrassen) for HGVs; private cars exempt from general motorway toll
Technology: GNSS on-board unit (OBU), DSRC microwave gantries, manual terminals (Mautstellen)
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 buses with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) over 3.5 tonnes. If you are driving a private car, campervan under 3.5 t, or motorcycle, you will pay no toll on the Autobahn — with the limited exceptions of a few privately operated tunnels and bridges where all vehicles pay.
2026 Update: From 1 July 2024, the Lkw-Maut was extended to all vehicles over 3.5 t GVW (previously 7.5 t) and a CO2 surcharge component was added, making the full rate structure dependent on Euro emission class and CO2 category. These changes remain in full effect in 2026.
Germany Toll Costs: Current Rates
HGV Maut Rates by Emission Class (per km, 2026)
The Lkw-Maut rate is built from three components: infrastructure cost + external cost (air/noise pollution) + CO2 surcharge. Total rates per km for a 5-axle 40 t truck:
| Euro Emission Class | Infrastructure (€/km) | CO2 Surcharge (€/km) | Total Rate (€/km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Euro VI (Zero emission) | 0.130 | 0.000 | 0.130 |
| Euro VI (Diesel) | 0.130 | 0.200 | 0.330 |
| Euro V | 0.130 | 0.200 | 0.330 |
| Euro IV and below | 0.130 | 0.200 | 0.330–0.370 |
Rates shown for heaviest axle/weight category. Lighter vehicles (3.5–7.5 t, 2–3 axles) pay lower infrastructure component rates. Full tariff tables at toll-collect.de.
Point Tolls for All Vehicles (Cars Included)
| Facility | Car / Motorcycle | HGV (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Herrentunnel Lübeck | €2.00–€3.50 | €5.00–€16.00 | Privately operated; cash and card |
| Warnowtunnel Rostock | €2.00–€3.50 | €5.00–€15.00 | Privately operated; card accepted |
| Rügenbrücke (Strelasund) | Toll-free since 2019 | Toll-free since 2019 | Purchased by state; no longer tolled |
Example HGV Journey Costs
| Route | Distance (km) | Euro VI Diesel (€) | Euro IV (€) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamburg to Munich (A7) | ~780 | ~€257 | ~€289 |
| Cologne to Berlin (A2) | ~570 | ~€188 | ~€211 |
| Frankfurt to Dresden (A4) | ~430 | ~€142 | ~€159 |
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.de or the Toll Collect app
- Over 3,000 self-service terminals at German motorway service areas and truck stops
- Manual booking is permitted but no retroactive registration — must be booked before departure
3. Point toll facilities (tunnels/bridges):
- Cash and card accepted at staffed booths
- OBU deduction applies at integrated Toll Collect gantries where available
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 Customs Office (Zoll) 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
- Underdeclaration of axles or emission class triggers retroactive surcharges plus penalty
Recent Changes (2026)
- CO2 surcharge (July 2024, in force 2026): A CO2-based component was added to the Maut rate, making zero-emission vehicles significantly cheaper than diesel equivalents
- 3.5 t threshold extension (July 2024): Vans and light trucks between 3.5 and 7.5 t GVW now pay the Maut on all tolled roads
- Bundesstrassen expansion: The Maut network now covers most federal highways (B roads) in addition to motorways, increasing the chargeable network to over 52,000 km
- EETS expansion: Additional EETS providers certified in 2025 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 before entering Germany; EETS OBU from a certified provider is the most seamless option for international operators
- Campervans and motorhomes: check GVW carefully — those over 3.5 t are subject to Maut; most factory motorhomes are registered at 3.5 t or under
- Weekend bans: HGVs over 7.5 t are prohibited on German motorways Saturday 00:00–22:00 and Sunday/holiday 00:00–22:00 — 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 GVW. The 2019 ECJ ruling permanently blocked a car vignette, and no replacement scheme is planned.
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.de 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?
Only if its registered GVW exceeds 3.5 tonnes. Most production motorhomes are built to the 3.5 t limit. Check your vehicle registration document (Zulassungsbescheinigung or equivalent) for the "zul. Gesamtgewicht" figure.
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 | €10.20 (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) | Euro Vignette for HGVs | €0 (motorways) |
| Poland | Point tolls (select motorways) | e-TOLL distance-based | PLN 10–30 per section |
Official Resources
- Toll Collect GmbH — OBU registration, account management, tariff tables, terminal locations
- Federal Office for Goods Transport (BAG) — enforcement authority for the Lkw-Maut; publishes control statistics and compliance guidance
- Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport — policy and legislation governing the Maut system
