Useful information about Hungarian highway vignettes

2024. 11. 08. 11:05

Most of Hungary's highways and expressways are toll roads, and their use requires the purchase of a highway vignette. In this article, we will explain what types of vignettes are available, how to purchase them, and how the county vignette system works, which is unique to Hungary. If you are visiting Hungary, this guide will help you travel smoothly and easily across the country.

Why do you need a highway vignette?

In Hungary, highways are maintained through a toll system. Every driver who wants to use toll roads is required to purchase a highway vignette in advance. This vignette grants you the right to use the highways for the purchased period or region. It’s important to choose the right type of vignette that fits your travel needs.

If you're using GPS navigation, it may direct you onto a highway. If you don't already have a highway vignette, you have 60 minutes from the time you enter the highway to purchase your vignette online and avoid a fine.

What highway vignettes are available?

There are several types of vignettes available in Hungary, differing in terms of duration and territorial validity:

• Daily (1-day) vignette: Valid throughout the entire country on the day of purchase, from the time of purchase until 11:59 PM. If purchased in advance, it is valid from 00:00 on the specified day until 11:59 PM.
• Weekly (10-day) vignette: Valid throughout the entire country for 10 consecutive calendar days, including the starting day specified by the purchaser and the following 9 days, expiring at 24:00 on the 10th day.
• Monthly vignette: Valid throughout the entire country from the start date specified by the purchaser until the day matching the starting date in the next month, expiring at 24:00. If this date does not exist in the expiration month, it will expire on the last day of the month at 24:00.
• Annual national vignette: Valid throughout the entire country from the first day of the relevant year until 24:00 on January 31 of the following year. If purchased during the validity period, it grants road usage rights from the time of purchase.
• Annual county vignette: Valid on all roads in the county specified by the buyer, as well as up to the first junction in neighboring counties. It is valid from the first day of the relevant year until 24:00 on January 31 of the following year. If purchased during the validity period, it grants road usage rights from the time of purchase.

The county vignette system

The county vignette is Hungary's unique solution for cost-effective highway use. This type of vignette is only valid on highways and expressways within a single county. For example, if you only drive around Budapest and its surroundings, a Pest county vignette may suffice, as it covers all toll roads in that county.

If you are visiting the Balaton region, you can choose a county vignette for Somogy County, which covers all highway usage there. This is especially useful if you do not plan to travel across the country and only wish to drive in a specific county.

What to watch out for when using highways

If you are traveling by car in Hungary and purchasing a highway vignette, keep the following in mind:

• Vignette validity: Ensure that your vignette is valid before entering the highway! If you purchased it online, you can verify the details in the confirmation email, and you can also request an SMS confirmation for free on our website to confirm your purchase.
• Vehicle category: Always choose the vignette that matches your vehicle category! In Hungary, vignettes apply to different vehicle categories, and using a highway with an incorrect vignette may result in fines. Use our vignette planner tool!
• License plate accuracy: Pay particular attention to entering your license plate number correctly, as the system automatically checks license plates on the highway, and incorrect numbers may result in fines.

Fines and consequences

Using highways without a valid vignette can result in significant fines. Hungarian highways are monitored by camera systems that check passing vehicles, and if you do not have the appropriate vignette, a hefty surcharge will be applied. The fine can be much higher than the original price of the vignette, so always check that you have valid road usage rights before entering the highway.

Purchase your highway vignette!

You can easily purchase your highway vignette online, saving time and avoiding the hassle of standing in line. You can even buy it while planning your trip, ensuring you don’t enter the highway without valid rights. Make sure you start your journey with a valid highway vignette and enjoy worry-free travel on Hungary's highways!