Germany Autobahn Tolls 2025: Truck Tolls, Tunnels & Toll Collect Guide
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Germany Autobahn Tolls Complete Guide
System: No car tolls (autobahns free) + Truck tolls 3.5t+ via Toll Collect
Coverage: Cars: Only 2 toll tunnels | Trucks: 51,000 km autobahn + federal roads
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Technology: Toll Collect satellite-based GPS/GSM OBU system
Operators: Toll Collect GmbH (German government-owned)
Do I Need to Pay Tolls for Germany? 2025 Update
No, you don't need to pay tolls to drive on German autobahns with a car - passenger vehicles under 3.5 tonnes use the entire autobahn network toll-free. Germany operates a truck-only toll system, with cars exempt from motorway charges.
Key Reality: Cars pay only for 2 toll tunnels (Warnow €3.60-4.40, Herren €2.10), but trucks 3.5t+ pay distance-based tolls across 51,000 km of roads. No vignettes required for any vehicle type.
2025 Update: July 2024 toll reform extended truck tolls to vehicles 3.5-7.5 tonnes, adding CO2-based pricing. Car toll plans abandoned in 2019 - autobahns remain free for passenger vehicles.
Germany Toll Costs: What You Actually Pay
Germany operates a dual system with free autobahns for cars and comprehensive truck tolls based on distance, weight, and emissions.
Current Toll Rates by Vehicle Class (2025)
| Vehicle Type | Cars/Motorcycles | Trucks 3.5t+ | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autobahn Network (51,000 km) | €0.00 | €0.09-0.26/km | Cars free since inception |
| Federal Roads (Bundesstraßen) | €0.00 | €0.09-0.26/km | Cars always exempt |
| Warnow Tunnel (Rostock) | €3.60-4.40 | Higher rates apply | Seasonal pricing: Nov-Apr cheaper |
| Herren Tunnel (Lübeck) | €2.10 | Higher rates apply | Fixed rate year-round |
| Zero-Emission Trucks | N/A | €0.00 until Dec 2025 | 75% discount from Jan 2026 |
Where You Pay Tolls (2025)
Car Tolls: Only 2 tunnels in northern Germany (Warnow, Herren)
Truck Tolls: All autobahns (A1-A999) + federal roads (B-roads) throughout Germany
How to Pay German Tolls
You can use the following toll payment methods to pay toll in Germany:
1. Car Tunnel Payments:
- Cash payment at toll booths (Warnow and Herren tunnels)
- Credit/debit cards at automated lanes
- RFID stickers for frequent users
- OSCARD prepaid cards (rechargeable at customer centers)
2. Truck Toll Collect System (3.5t+):
- Toll Collect OBU (On-Board Unit): GPS/GSM automatic collection
- Internet booking: Pre-register routes at toll-collect.de
- Toll Collect app: Smartphone-based payment
- Terminal booking: At truck stops and service stations
To calculate truck tolls, autobahn tolls and tunnel prices for cars, trucks, motorcycles and all vehicle types across German roads, use TollGuru Germany toll calculator
Recent Changes (2025)
Truck Toll Reform (July 2024):
- Extended truck tolls to vehicles 3.5-7.5 tonnes (previously 7.5t+ only)
- Introduced CO2-based toll differentiation for all commercial vehicles
- Craftsmen exemptions available for vehicles 3.5-7.5t under specific conditions
Zero-Emission Vehicle Incentives:
- Electric and hydrogen trucks remain toll-free until December 31, 2025
- From January 2026: 75% toll reduction (25% of standard rates)
- Zero-emission vehicles under 4.25t permanently exempt
Car Toll Policy:
- Car toll plans definitively abandoned in 2019
- Autobahns remain free for all passenger vehicles indefinitely
- No vignette system planned - existing vehicle tax considered sufficient
State/Regional Toll Information
Federal System - No State Variations:
- All 16 federal states (Länder) apply identical toll policies
- Toll Collect system covers entire German territory uniformly
- No regional toll variations or state-specific charges
Northern German Toll Tunnels:
- Warnow Tunnel (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern): Connects Rostock districts
- Herren Tunnel (Schleswig-Holstein): Links Lübeck and Travemünde
- Both tunnels on federal roads (not autobahns), serve local traffic
Toll-Free Border Sections:
- A5: Swiss/French border to Müllheim/Neuenburg (both directions)
- A6: French border to Saarbrücken-Fechingen (both directions)
- Short border approach sections exempt from truck tolls
Planning Your Journey
Cost Considerations:
- Daily car costs: €0 autobahn tolls (except €2-4 if using toll tunnels)
- Truck tolls: €50-200+ for typical long-distance routes
- Speed advantages: Autobahns offer time savings despite no general speed limit
Alternative Routes:
- Cars: No need to avoid autobahns - they're free and fastest
- Trucks: Some federal roads toll-free but significantly slower
- Recommended speed: 130 km/h advisory limit for liability considerations
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I avoid German tolls completely?
Cars: Yes, easily - autobahns are free. Trucks 3.5t+: No, tolls apply to all autobahns and federal roads. Only local roads remain toll-free for trucks.
What happens if I don't pay German truck tolls?
Fines up to €20,000 for non-payment. Automated enforcement via 300+ mobile patrol vehicles and control points throughout Germany.
Do motorcycles pay tolls in Germany?
No, motorcycles use all German roads toll-free, including the two toll tunnels (unlike cars which pay tunnel fees).
Will Germany introduce car tolls in the future?
No current plans. Car toll proposals were abandoned in 2019, with existing vehicle tax considered sufficient road funding for passenger vehicles.
Do tourists get different rates?
No, all users pay identical rates. Foreign trucks use the same Toll Collect system as German vehicles, with no nationality-based discrimination.
Germany vs. Neighboring Countries
| Country | System Type | Typical Cost | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | Cars free, trucks toll | €0.09-0.26/km trucks | 51,000 km network |
| Austria | Vignette for cars | €9.60/10 days | All motorways |
| France | Distance-based tolls | €0.08-0.12/km | Most motorways |
| Switzerland | Annual vignette | CHF 40/year | All motorways |
| Belgium | Cars free, trucks toll | HGV distance-based | 1 toll tunnel only |
| Netherlands | Limited tolls | €2-5 per tunnel | 2 toll tunnels only |
Useful Links & Resources
Internal Navigation:
- Austria Vignette - Mandatory car vignette system
- France Tolls - Distance-based toll system information
- Switzerland Vignette - Annual vignette requirements
- Belgium Tolls - HGV toll system details
- Netherlands Tolls - Limited tunnel toll information
- Poland Tolls - Eastern neighbor toll system
Official Resources:
- Toll Collect GmbH: toll-collect.de - Official truck toll system
- Warnow Tunnel: warnowquerung.de - Rostock tunnel information
- Herren Tunnel: herrentunnel.de - Lübeck tunnel details
- Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility (BALM): Toll enforcement authority
