Buy e-vignettes online — everything you need to know
What are vignettes and in which countries do they apply?
In most European countries the use of motorways and expressways is subject to a toll. The form of the toll varies from country to country — either you pay directly at toll booths or you have to buy the corresponding vignette in advance.
A vignette is an electronic (or in rare cases still a classic sticker) proof that the fee for using the motorway network has been paid. The revenue is invested by the respective state in the expansion and maintenance of the roads.
Countries where a vignette is mandatory:
- Austria
- Bulgaria
- Czech Republic
- Moldova
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Switzerland
- Hungary
Each country has slightly different rules. Some exempt motorcycles, others do not. Validity periods (daily, weekly, monthly or annual vignettes) and vehicle categories also differ. Before buying, check which vignette is the right one for your trip.
Driving without a valid vignette risks a fine. Checks are mostly carried out automatically by cameras that scan licence plates — the fine is then sent by post to the vehicle owner.
Electronic or classic sticker vignette — which is better?
A few years ago vignettes were only available as stickers for the windscreen. Today almost all countries rely on the electronic version (e-vignette). In Switzerland the sticker variant is still available in parallel.
The e-vignette is a clear improvement for both authorities and drivers: checks are carried out automatically by cameras, traffic keeps flowing and you no longer have to stick anything on or later remove it. If you replace your windscreen the vignette remains valid — it is linked to your licence plate, not to the glass.
Where can you buy e-vignettes?
E-vignettes are available both at physical points of sale (petrol stations near borders, post offices, sales points) and online. Buying in person often means waiting time and the risk that the desired option is currently unavailable.
Buying online — either directly from the state operator or from an independent intermediary like VignettePortal — is much more convenient: you handle everything comfortably from home before your trip and don't have to make a detour on the day of travel.
How to order your e-vignette online
- Define your need: which countries are you travelling through and for how long do you need the vignette? There are daily, weekly, monthly and annual vignettes — depending on the country.
- Choose a country and vignette, set the start date, choose the vehicle type and category.
- Enter the licence plate and country of registration — pay attention to the correct spelling, since the vignette is linked directly to this data in the system.
- Pay securely by credit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. The connection is SSL-encrypted; payment data is processed by our third-party payment providers.
- Receive the confirmation by email (PDF) — keep it for the entire validity period.
How long does processing take?
We know that travellers often need their vignette at short notice. That's why we process orders as quickly as possible — you usually receive the confirmation by email within 15–30 minutes of payment.
Important: only the vignette received and confirmed by email entitles you to use toll roads. Please do not drive on a toll road before you have received the confirmation.
How do I check my vignette's expiry date?
Every vehicle owner should keep an eye on the validity of their vignette — even a single day's delay can lead to a fine. The start and end date are clearly stated on your PDF confirmation. You can also check the current status on the website of the relevant toll operator using your licence plate.
Can e-vignettes be returned?
E-vignettes are a digital, personalised product — they are linked directly to your licence plate and a fixed validity period. A return or refund is therefore generally excluded once the vignette has been registered with the operator. Please check your data carefully before submitting your order.