[C] Over the past decade, every new year has brought changes in road tolls.
We’ve grown used to them, but the last three years have introduced truly significant shifts: CO₂-based taxation in Germany and Austria, expansion of toll networks, and differentiation based on emission classes.
In 2026, we continue in the same direction. Some changes are moderate and predictable. Others fundamentally alter how we calculate transport costs. For those of us in the industry, it’s no longer enough to simply track updates—we must explain them to our partners clearly, professionally, and on time.
What is changing in 2026?
In recent years, we’ve seen two types of road toll changes. I’ve often explained them in conferences, and I’ll summarize them here as well:
1. Indexation with inflation: small increases, but important to explain
These are the moderate, predictable increases that occur annually, where countries like France, Italy, Spain, or Belgium adjust tolls in line with the previous year’s inflation rate.
2026 continues this pattern of annual indexation. The first countries to announce changes are:
- France, where motorway operators announced an average increase of 0.87% starting February 1, 2026.
- Wallonia (Belgium), where Viapass has published updated tariffs, with a 1.91% increase starting January 1, 2026.
- Czech Republic, where new tariffs for January 2026 are already published.
These figures are already public and allow us to adjust cost estimates for routes across each client’s portfolio. Even if the increases seem small individually, they accumulate over the course of a year and should be communicated transparently.
Important: These are not all the toll increases expected in 2026. Typically, additional changes are announced in the last days of the year or the first days of 2026. Based on previous years, Austria, Hungary, and others – such as Italy, Spain, or the Fréjus Tunnel – are also likely to announce increases.
2. Fundamental changes: the Netherlands and Romania move to per-kilometer tolling
While other countries focus on moderate adjustments, the Netherlands and Romania introduce a major transformation in 2026 – one that fundamentally changes how transport costs are calculated.
The Netherlands – shift to per-kilometer tolling
Starting in 2026, the Netherlands will completely abandon the vignette system and introduce a per-kilometer toll for heavy vehicles. Although final tariffs have not yet been published, official estimates and industry analyses suggest a cost between €0.15 and €0.20/km for modern diesel vehicles, including Euro 6.
This is not an indexation – it’s a complete repositioning of cost calculation for transport in the Netherlands.
Romania – introduction of TollRO
Romania will also implement a similar system in 2026 – TollRO – where tolls are calculated per kilometer and based on vehicle emissions. Final tariffs are not yet published, but it’s clear that the traditional vignette for trucks will disappear, and costs will depend on route and emission class.
For many local and international companies, this will be one of the most significant budget adjustments in recent years.
Additionally, there is new information from Belgium: in the Flanders region, authorities have announced a much stronger increase – around 27% for heavy diesel trucks – applied to the per-kilometer tolling system starting July 1, 2026. This does not involve a transition to CO₂-based taxation like in other European countries, but it is a significant increase that must be properly addressed.
What’s coming in 2027: the Alsace case
Alsace is preparing to introduce a regional truck toll, expected to come into force in 2027, with an estimated rate of around €0.15/km, applied to heavily used transit routes (A35, A36).
For transporters frequently crossing this region, these changes should be considered in medium-term planning.
How do you communicate all these changes?
Whether we’re talking about a 0.87% increase, a 27% adjustment, or the introduction of a completely new €0.15-0.20/km toll, the impact is the same:
It requires much more rigorous, clear, and responsible communication.
Your partners don’t need raw numbers, they need:
- context
- realistic estimates for the routes you operate together
- official sources
- predictability
When you explain changes in advance, you avoid unnecessary tension and build relationships based on trust, not reaction.
Practical recommendations for managing 2026 changes
To avoid surprises and maintain stable business relationships, here are a few clear actions:
- Communicate early what is changing, where, and from when – even if some values are still being updated. An informed client can adjust budgets without pressure.
- Use only official sources (Viapass, French authorities, Netherlands, TollRO). Transparency reduces friction and strengthens trust.
- Calculate impact per route, not in general terms. A “+€10 per trip on route X” is much easier to understand, accept, and integrate into planning.
At the same time, make sure your internal team is prepared:
- Sales and dispatch teams must know exactly what has changed and when, to respond clearly and professionally.
- For spot transport, a short briefing can prevent accepting jobs below cost in the context of rising tolls.
And in the medium term:
- Review contracts and include toll adjustment clauses – they are essential in a market where these changes are annual and unavoidable.
In conclusion
Neither 2026 nor this article is really about taxes – it’s about trust, predictability, and how we navigate change.
Costs are rising, systems are transforming, but the most important asset remains the relationship between you and your clients.
And in an industry where margins are sensitive and pressure increases year after year, transparency is not just a nice gesture – it’s a strategic necessity.
That’s why 2026 should not be seen as just a list of new tariffs, but as a test of maturity.s a test of maturity for how you communicate and how well you manage to offer predictability in a moment of change.