Country Guides
Know the rules before the border.
Vignettes, low-emission zones, what has to be in the car and when winter tyres are required. Checked and sourced, 11 October 2026.
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Pick where you start, tap the countries on your route, and see what you need.
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Austria
A vignette for every motorway, winter tyres when the road turns white.
Checked 11 October 2026
- Motorway toll
- You need a vignette on all motorways and expressways.
- €9.601 day
- €12.8010 days
- €322 months
- €106.801 year
Buy it digitally at the ASFINAG webshop or app, or at petrol stations and ÖAMTC. Online 2-month and annual vignettes start on the 18th day after purchase. From 1 December 2026 only digital vignettes are sold.
The A9 Bosruck and Gleinalm tunnels, A10 Tauern, A11 Karawanken, A13 Brenner and S16 Arlberg charge a separate section toll of €8.80–€18.50 per trip.
- In the car
- Warning triangle
- Hi-vis vest. The driver must wear it after a breakdown or accident.
- First-aid kit, not past its expiry date
Recommended: a vest for every passenger and an ice scraper.
- Winter
From 1 November to 15 April, winter tyres are required when the road is covered in snow, slush or ice. Snow chains are required where a sign shows them.
- Plugs
Type C and F, 230 V. Dutch plugs fit.
- Emergency
112
Switzerland
One vignette for the whole year, and a plug adapter for your charger.
Checked 11 October 2026
- Motorway toll
- There is only an annual vignette.
- CHF 402026 vignette
It is valid from 1 December 2025 to 31 January 2027. The e-vignette at e-vignette.ch is linked to your number plate and valid immediately; the sticker goes on the windscreen.
- In the car
- Warning triangle
Recommended: a hi-vis vest and a first-aid kit.
- Winter
No law requires winter tyres, but you can be held liable in an accident if your car wasn’t fit for the conditions. Snow chains are required where a sign shows them.
- Plugs
Type J, 230 V. Slim two-pin plugs fit, but round Dutch plugs with earth contacts don’t. Pack an adapter.
- Emergency
112
Germany
No toll for cars, but a green sticker for the cities.
Checked 11 October 2026
- Motorway toll
None for cars.
- Low-emission zones
Many cities have an Umweltzone. You need the green Umweltplakette to drive in; without one the fine is €100. Zones change, so get the sticker before you go.
- In the car
A warning triangle, hi-vis vest and first-aid kit are compulsory for German cars. They are strongly recommended for yours.
- Winter
Winter tyres are required on all four wheels whenever there is ice, snow or slush. Only tyres with the alpine (3PMSF) symbol count; M+S alone hasn’t been enough since 1 October 2024. The fine is €60.
- Plugs
Type C and F, 230 V. Dutch plugs fit.
- Emergency
112
France
Péage on the motorways and a Crit’Air sticker for the big cities.
Checked 11 October 2026
- Motorway toll
Most autoroutes have toll booths that take cards. A télépéage badge is optional. A few motorways have no booths at all: you pay online afterwards.
- Low-emission zones
Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Strasbourg, Grenoble and other cities have a ZFE. You need a Crit'Air sticker to drive in, also with a Dutch car; fines start at €68. Order it only from the official site, certificat-air.gouv.fr.
Parliament voted to scrap the zones, but on 21 May 2026 the Constitutional Council struck that down. The zones remain.
- In the car
- Warning triangle
- Hi-vis vest. The driver must wear it after a breakdown or accident.
Recommended: a vest for every passenger.
- Winter
From 1 November to 31 March, mountain areas require winter tyres or snow chains carried for all four wheels.
- Plugs
Type C and E, 230 V. Most Dutch plugs fit.
- Emergency
112
Italy
Vests for everyone, and stay out of the old town by car.
Checked 11 October 2026
- Motorway toll
Pay at the booths on the autostrada. A Telepass badge is optional.
- Restricted zones
Historic centres have ZTL zones watched by cameras. Don’t drive in unless your hotel registers your number plate.
- In the car
- Warning triangle
- Hi-vis vest for every occupant. Wear it when you leave the car outside towns in the dark or poor visibility.
- A red-and-white striped marker board when a bike carrier or load sticks out
- Winter
From 15 November to 15 April, signs on many roads require winter tyres or snow chains on board. Between 15 May and 15 October, winter tyres with a lower speed rating than your car’s are banned.
- Plugs
Type C, F and L, 230 V. Most Dutch plugs fit.
- Emergency
112
Spain
Your warning triangle still counts. Bring a vest for everyone.
Checked 11 October 2026
- Motorway toll
Some motorways (AP) charge tolls at booths; many others are free.
- Low-emission zones
Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Sevilla, Bilbao and other cities have low-emission zones (ZBE). The rules for foreign cars differ per city, so check before you drive into a centre.
- In the car
- Warning triangle, or the new V16 beacon. Since 1 January 2026 Spanish cars need the connected V16; foreign cars may keep using triangles.
- Hi-vis vest for every occupant
- Spare wheel or tyre repair kit
- Winter
No general winter tyre rule. Snow chains are required where a sign shows them.
- Plugs
Type C and F, 230 V. Dutch plugs fit.
- Emergency
112
Czechia
A digital vignette for the motorway and dipped lights on all day.
Checked 11 October 2026
- Motorway toll
- You need an e-vignette, linked to your number plate.
- CZK 2301 day
- CZK 30010 days
- CZK 48030 days
- CZK 2,5701 year
Buy it on edalnice.cz, the official site, or at Česká pošta and EuroOil.
- In the car
- Warning triangle
- Hi-vis vest
- First-aid kit, not past its expiry date
- Spare wheel or tyre repair kit
Keep dipped headlights or daytime running lights on all day.
- Winter
From 1 November to 31 March, winter tyres are required on snow or ice, or below 4 °C when snow or sleet is likely. Minimum tread is 4 mm.
- Plugs
Type C and E, 230 V. Most Dutch plugs fit.
- Emergency
112
Slovenia
An e-vignette, a vest for everyone and winter gear from mid-November.
Checked 11 October 2026
- Motorway toll
- You need an e-vignette, linked to your number plate.
- €167 days
- €321 month
- €117.501 year
Buy it on evinjeta.dars.si, the official DARS site. Resellers often charge more.
- In the car
- Warning triangle
- Hi-vis vest for every occupant
Recommended: a first-aid kit and spare bulbs. Keep dipped headlights or daytime running lights on all day.
- Winter
From 15 November to 15 March, winter tyres or fitted snow chains are required, and outside that period whenever the road is wintry.
- Plugs
Type C and F, 230 V. Dutch plugs fit.
- Emergency
112
These guides help you pack. They are not legal advice, and rules and prices change. Always check the official source before you travel. Road trip mode in Zipped adds these items to your list for every country on your route.