For years, Germany has been enticing drivers with free highways, but not everyone knows when you can truly drive without fees and when you need to prepare your wallet. In this guide, you will find concrete information on what road fees in Germany will look like in 2025, what has changed for trucks and buses, and which tunnels still require fees before you hit the road.
German highways in 2025 – what you need to know before you hit the road
A trip to Germany involves a lot of preparations, so it’s good to know the real rules for driving on highways in advance, especially if you plan a trip with a car. Germany has attracted drivers for years with the possibility of using highways without fees, which distinguishes this country from the majority of European states where vignettes or route fees are standard. This solution still applies in 2025, so you can calmly plan your route knowing that crossing the border does not mean you need to buy a vignette or add toll costs to your holiday budget.
However, if you plan frequent business trips or transport journeys, you should know that these rules do not apply to commercial vehicles and buses over 3.5 tons, which have been subject to fees since July 2024. This change affected many transport companies that now have to carefully plan routes from a cost perspective to avoid unnecessary financial losses. For you as a car driver, free highways remain a relief –toll highways in Germany are exceptions, like tunnels that still require small amounts to be provided before you hit the road.
Are highways in Germany tolled? The truth about road fees
The answer in the case of cars is short – you do not pay for passage. In practice, this means driving over 13,000 kilometers of highway is toll-free, something you will especially appreciate on long distances and regular trips. This solution is advantageous both for individuals traveling privately and for those who frequently visit Germany for business purposes. As a result, you can plan a route through the entire length of the country without worrying about additional costs, which in other countries often represent a significant burden.
A simple tax return in 12 minutes?
Choose Taxando!
However, one must not forget the exceptions, because although most routes are free, there are sections that require payment. This mainly concerns the tunnels Warnowtunnel in Rostock and Herrentunnel in Lübeck, where the fees range between 1 and 4 euros per passage. This is a small expenditure, but it is worth keeping in mind, especially if your route passes through these sections. It is also important that commercial vehicles and buses with a mass over 3.5 tons are subject to the toll obligation in the Toll Collect system, which can be significant if you run a business or plan the transport of goods to Germany.
Truck toll, tunnels, and exceptions – toll highways in Germany
Although highways in Germany are free for cars, commercial vehicles and buses over 3.5 tons have had to pay road fees under the Truck Toll system since July 2024. This system has been in operation since 2005 and initially covered vehicles over 12 tons, but over time, the mass limits have been lowered to capture more and more commercial vehicles. If you run a transport company or plan to use a bus for goods transport in Germany, you need to include these fees in the operating costs.
Additionally, you must remember the tolled tunnels, which are an exception to the rule of free highways. The Warnowtunnel and Herrentunnel are two sections where fees apply regardless of vehicle category. This means even car drivers need to have small amounts ready for passage, which should be planned before the trip. With this knowledge, you avoid surprises and drive calmly through all sections, without worrying about unpleasant situations during the journey.
The belief that highways in Germany are free is entirely correct – aside from a few exceptions. Exceptions include a few tolled tunnels and the truck toll fees, which affect commercial vehicles and buses over 3.5 tons. If you are traveling with a car, you can calmly plan a trip through Germany without additional costs, only thinking about a few exceptional sections.
Maciej Wawrzyniak
In his private life, Maciej enjoys sporting challenges, playing the guitar, and swimming in the lake. He is also the proud father of three sons.
