At the end of the week, Belgian authorities reached an agreement to introduce a mandatory vignette system for vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes using the country’s motorways and certain regional routes.
The annual fee will range from €90 to €125, and the measure is set to take effect from 1 May 2027.
The move is particularly designed to ensure that foreign motorists contribute to the upkeep and financing of the Belgian road network, which is currently funded primarily by domestic taxpayers.
Belgian residents are expected to have the costs of the vignette offset through financial compensation. However, the precise implementation of the system remains complex, especially in light of the European Commission’s previous decision to block Germany’s passenger car toll on similar legal grounds.
The Wallonia region is projected to benefit the most from the new vignette, with revenues estimated at €327 million per year, while Flanders could expect to receive around €130 million.
The funds generated are intended for maintenance and repairs on the road network. Enforcement will rely on a combination of cameras and mobile teams that will use vehicle licence plates to verify compliance.
Drivers found without a valid vignette face a standard fine of €70, with penalties increasing in cases of repeat offences.
There will be no requirement to display a physical sticker on the car’s windscreen. Exemptions include motorcycles, lorries, tractors, buses, emergency vehicles, police, and military vehicles.
