Towing your boat across Europe: the rules on the way

GermanyDE

100 on motorways and expressways with a Tempo 100 approval

Tolls and vignettes: No car toll and no vignette; truck toll only applies if the towing vehicle itself is over 3.5 t and built or used for goods transport. Privately financed sections charge cars too; check prices with a trailer before you go.

Sources: § 3 Abs. 3 StVO, § 18 Abs. 5 StVO, 9. Ausnahmeverordnung zur StVO (Tempo 100), § 1 Abs. 1 BFStrMG, BALM, Fragen und Antworten Lkw-Maut

AustriaAT

For trailers over 750 kg up to 3.5 t combined; trailers up to 750 kg 100/100, combined over 3.5 t 80/70

Tolls and vignettes: Vignette for the towing vehicle up to 3.5 t only, the boat trailer needs none; in 2026 the annual vignette costs EUR 106.80 and the 10-day vignette EUR 12.80. On special toll sections a car with trailer pays the car rate, in 2026 for example Tauern EUR 15.00, Brenner EUR 12.50, Karawanken EUR 9.00.

Sources: § 58 KDV 1967 (RIS), § 10 BStMG (RIS), ASFINAG, Vignette, Tarife 2026, ASFINAG, Streckenmaut, Tarife 2026, ASFINAG Mautordnung Version 88

SloveniaSI

Tolls and vignettes: E-vignette for the towing vehicle up to 3,500 kg only, the trailer needs none; class 2A up to 1.30 m height above the first axle, 2B above that, with or without trailer.

Overhang: Load may overhang the rear by at most 1.5 m; from 1 m a red and white panel of at least 25 x 25 cm is required for cars, plus a red light at night.

Sources: ZPrCP Art. 47 (zakonodaja.com), ZPrCP Art. 46 (zakonodaja.com), Europäische Kommission, Your Europe: Slowenien, DARS, Allgemeine Bedingungen E-Vignette, ZPrCP Art. 74 (zakonodaja.com), ZPrCP Art. 75 (zakonodaja.com)

All about Slovenia

CroatiaHR

EU site states 90/80, the law only limits unbraked trailers; check before you go

Tolls and vignettes: No vignette, motorway toll by distance; a two axle car up to 1.90 m high with a trailer pays toll group II, a taller towing vehicle with trailer group III. The classification dates from 2013, check before you go.

Sources: Europäische Kommission, Your Europe: Kroatien, Zakon o sigurnosti prometa na cestama (zakon.hr), Pravilnik o cestarini NN 130/13 (zakon.hr)

All about Croatia

GermanyDE

100 on motorways and expressways with a Tempo 100 approval

Tolls and vignettes: No car toll and no vignette; truck toll only applies if the towing vehicle itself is over 3.5 t and built or used for goods transport. Privately financed sections charge cars too; check prices with a trailer before you go.

Sources: § 3 Abs. 3 StVO, § 18 Abs. 5 StVO, 9. Ausnahmeverordnung zur StVO (Tempo 100), § 1 Abs. 1 BFStrMG, BALM, Fragen und Antworten Lkw-Maut

DenmarkDK

100 on motorways with a sticker and conditions; whether this applies to foreign rigs, check before you go

Tolls and vignettes: No vignette; the Great Belt bridge costs DKK 314 with an agreement or DKK 360 by card or cash for a car with trailer over 6 m (2026). Øresund Bridge to Sweden: car with trailer up to 15 m DKK 940 at the toll station, DKK 840 online, DKK 364 with ØresundGO (from 14 Sep 2026).

Sources: Europäische Kommission, Your Europe: Dänemark, Sund & Bælt, Storebælt, Priser 2026, Øresundsbron, Prices

All about Denmark

GermanyDE

100 on motorways and expressways with a Tempo 100 approval

Tolls and vignettes: No car toll and no vignette; truck toll only applies if the towing vehicle itself is over 3.5 t and built or used for goods transport. Privately financed sections charge cars too; check prices with a trailer before you go.

Sources: § 3 Abs. 3 StVO, § 18 Abs. 5 StVO, 9. Ausnahmeverordnung zur StVO (Tempo 100), § 1 Abs. 1 BFStrMG, BALM, Fragen und Antworten Lkw-Maut

FranceFR

Applies up to 3.5 t combined weight; above that 90 on motorways and 80 on rural roads

Tolls and vignettes: No vignette, toll by distance; on Vinci motorways a combination up to 2 m total height unladen and up to 3.5 t is class 1, with a trailer between 2 and 3 m high class 2.

Sources: Légifrance, Code de la route Art. R413-8, Légifrance, Code de la route Art. R413-1 bis R413-19, Vinci Autoroutes, Classes de véhicules

All about France

GermanyDE

100 on motorways and expressways with a Tempo 100 approval

Tolls and vignettes: No car toll and no vignette; truck toll only applies if the towing vehicle itself is over 3.5 t and built or used for goods transport. Privately financed sections charge cars too; check prices with a trailer before you go.

Sources: § 3 Abs. 3 StVO, § 18 Abs. 5 StVO, 9. Ausnahmeverordnung zur StVO (Tempo 100), § 1 Abs. 1 BFStrMG, BALM, Fragen und Antworten Lkw-Maut

AustriaAT

For trailers over 750 kg up to 3.5 t combined; trailers up to 750 kg 100/100, combined over 3.5 t 80/70

Tolls and vignettes: Vignette for the towing vehicle up to 3.5 t only, the boat trailer needs none; in 2026 the annual vignette costs EUR 106.80 and the 10-day vignette EUR 12.80. On special toll sections a car with trailer pays the car rate, in 2026 for example Tauern EUR 15.00, Brenner EUR 12.50, Karawanken EUR 9.00.

Sources: § 58 KDV 1967 (RIS), § 10 BStMG (RIS), ASFINAG, Vignette, Tarife 2026, ASFINAG, Streckenmaut, Tarife 2026, ASFINAG Mautordnung Version 88

ItalyIT

Tolls and vignettes: No vignette, toll by distance; with a trailer the combination is classed by axles, three axles mean class 3 at EUR 0.10615 per km on flat sections (rate from 1 Jan 2026). Whether a single axle trailer is literally class 3, check before you go.

Overhang: Only indivisible loads may overhang the rear, up to 3/10 of the vehicle length, marked with a red and white warning panel (at least 2,500 cm², i.e. 50 x 50 cm); fine EUR 87 to 344.

Sources: ACI, Codice della Strada Art. 142, Europäische Kommission, Your Europe: Italien, Autostrade per l'Italia, How the toll is calculated, ACI, Codice della Strada Art. 164, Certifico, Regolamento CdS Art. 361 und DM 4.12.2019

All about Italy

Ferry

On the ferry the operator's terms apply; car and trailer are usually charged by length.

GreeceGR

80 on expressways

Tolls and vignettes: On the Attiki Odos (Athens) a car with trailer is class 4 and pays EUR 2.80, the same as a car alone. Classification on other motorways: check before you go.

Sources: Europäische Kommission, Your Europe: Griechenland, Attiki Odos, Tolls

All about Greece

GermanyDE

100 on motorways and expressways with a Tempo 100 approval

Tolls and vignettes: No car toll and no vignette; truck toll only applies if the towing vehicle itself is over 3.5 t and built or used for goods transport. Privately financed sections charge cars too; check prices with a trailer before you go.

Sources: § 3 Abs. 3 StVO, § 18 Abs. 5 StVO, 9. Ausnahmeverordnung zur StVO (Tempo 100), § 1 Abs. 1 BFStrMG, BALM, Fragen und Antworten Lkw-Maut

AustriaAT

For trailers over 750 kg up to 3.5 t combined; trailers up to 750 kg 100/100, combined over 3.5 t 80/70

Tolls and vignettes: Vignette for the towing vehicle up to 3.5 t only, the boat trailer needs none; in 2026 the annual vignette costs EUR 106.80 and the 10-day vignette EUR 12.80. On special toll sections a car with trailer pays the car rate, in 2026 for example Tauern EUR 15.00, Brenner EUR 12.50, Karawanken EUR 9.00.

Sources: § 58 KDV 1967 (RIS), § 10 BStMG (RIS), ASFINAG, Vignette, Tarife 2026, ASFINAG, Streckenmaut, Tarife 2026, ASFINAG Mautordnung Version 88

ItalyIT

Tolls and vignettes: No vignette, toll by distance; with a trailer the combination is classed by axles, three axles mean class 3 at EUR 0.10615 per km on flat sections (rate from 1 Jan 2026). Whether a single axle trailer is literally class 3, check before you go.

Overhang: Only indivisible loads may overhang the rear, up to 3/10 of the vehicle length, marked with a red and white warning panel (at least 2,500 cm², i.e. 50 x 50 cm); fine EUR 87 to 344.

Sources: ACI, Codice della Strada Art. 142, Europäische Kommission, Your Europe: Italien, Autostrade per l'Italia, How the toll is calculated, ACI, Codice della Strada Art. 164, Certifico, Regolamento CdS Art. 361 und DM 4.12.2019

All about Italy

GermanyDE

100 on motorways and expressways with a Tempo 100 approval

Tolls and vignettes: No car toll and no vignette; truck toll only applies if the towing vehicle itself is over 3.5 t and built or used for goods transport. Privately financed sections charge cars too; check prices with a trailer before you go.

Sources: § 3 Abs. 3 StVO, § 18 Abs. 5 StVO, 9. Ausnahmeverordnung zur StVO (Tempo 100), § 1 Abs. 1 BFStrMG, BALM, Fragen und Antworten Lkw-Maut

AustriaAT

For trailers over 750 kg up to 3.5 t combined; trailers up to 750 kg 100/100, combined over 3.5 t 80/70

Tolls and vignettes: Vignette for the towing vehicle up to 3.5 t only, the boat trailer needs none; in 2026 the annual vignette costs EUR 106.80 and the 10-day vignette EUR 12.80. On special toll sections a car with trailer pays the car rate, in 2026 for example Tauern EUR 15.00, Brenner EUR 12.50, Karawanken EUR 9.00.

Sources: § 58 KDV 1967 (RIS), § 10 BStMG (RIS), ASFINAG, Vignette, Tarife 2026, ASFINAG, Streckenmaut, Tarife 2026, ASFINAG Mautordnung Version 88

ItalyIT

Tolls and vignettes: No vignette, toll by distance; with a trailer the combination is classed by axles, three axles mean class 3 at EUR 0.10615 per km on flat sections (rate from 1 Jan 2026). Whether a single axle trailer is literally class 3, check before you go.

Overhang: Only indivisible loads may overhang the rear, up to 3/10 of the vehicle length, marked with a red and white warning panel (at least 2,500 cm², i.e. 50 x 50 cm); fine EUR 87 to 344.

Sources: ACI, Codice della Strada Art. 142, Europäische Kommission, Your Europe: Italien, Autostrade per l'Italia, How the toll is calculated, ACI, Codice della Strada Art. 164, Certifico, Regolamento CdS Art. 361 und DM 4.12.2019

All about Italy

Ferry

On the ferry the operator's terms apply; car and trailer are usually charged by length.

MaltaMT

No motorways, 60 applies on expressways; 40 in towns

Tolls and vignettes: Charges and ferry fares for car and trailer are not documented; check before you go.

Sources: Europäische Kommission, Your Europe: Malta

All about Malta

GermanyDE

100 on motorways and expressways with a Tempo 100 approval

Tolls and vignettes: No car toll and no vignette; truck toll only applies if the towing vehicle itself is over 3.5 t and built or used for goods transport. Privately financed sections charge cars too; check prices with a trailer before you go.

Sources: § 3 Abs. 3 StVO, § 18 Abs. 5 StVO, 9. Ausnahmeverordnung zur StVO (Tempo 100), § 1 Abs. 1 BFStrMG, BALM, Fragen und Antworten Lkw-Maut

NetherlandsNL

Tolls and vignettes: Charges for car and trailer, for example at the Westerschelde tunnel and the Kil tunnel, are not documented; check before you go.

Sources: Rijksoverheid, Maximumsnelheid snelweg, Europäische Kommission, Your Europe: Niederlande

All about Netherlands

GermanyDE

100 on motorways and expressways with a Tempo 100 approval

Tolls and vignettes: No car toll and no vignette; truck toll only applies if the towing vehicle itself is over 3.5 t and built or used for goods transport. Privately financed sections charge cars too; check prices with a trailer before you go.

Sources: § 3 Abs. 3 StVO, § 18 Abs. 5 StVO, 9. Ausnahmeverordnung zur StVO (Tempo 100), § 1 Abs. 1 BFStrMG, BALM, Fragen und Antworten Lkw-Maut

DenmarkDK

100 on motorways with a sticker and conditions; whether this applies to foreign rigs, check before you go

Tolls and vignettes: No vignette; the Great Belt bridge costs DKK 314 with an agreement or DKK 360 by card or cash for a car with trailer over 6 m (2026). Øresund Bridge to Sweden: car with trailer up to 15 m DKK 940 at the toll station, DKK 840 online, DKK 364 with ØresundGO (from 14 Sep 2026).

Sources: Europäische Kommission, Your Europe: Dänemark, Sund & Bælt, Storebælt, Priser 2026, Øresundsbron, Prices

All about Denmark

SwedenSE

Never above 80 with a trailer; 70 on rural roads according to the EU Commission

Tolls and vignettes: No vignette; the Øresund Bridge costs SEK 1380 at the toll station, SEK 1240 online, SEK 536 with ØresundGO for a car with trailer up to 15 m (from 14 Sep 2026). The Svinesund bridge to Norway has been toll free since 15 March 2021.

Sources: Transportstyrelsen, Köra personbil med släp- eller husvagn, Europäische Kommission, Your Europe: Schweden, Øresundsbron, Priser, Statens vegvesen, Meldung vom 19.05.2021 (Svinesund)

All about Sweden

NorwayNO

100 only if towing vehicle and trailer meet special conditions; check before you go

Tolls and vignettes: No vignette; at AutoPASS toll stations the rate depends on the vehicle, cars up to 3,500 kg pay group 1, trailers are not mentioned in the classification. The Svinesund bridge has been toll free since 15 March 2021; ferry fares by length, check before you go.

Sources: Lovdata, Trafikkregler § 13, Europäische Kommission, Your Europe: Norwegen, AutoPASS, Takstar og rabattar, Statens vegvesen, Meldung vom 19.05.2021 (Svinesund)

All about Norway

GermanyDE

100 on motorways and expressways with a Tempo 100 approval

Tolls and vignettes: No car toll and no vignette; truck toll only applies if the towing vehicle itself is over 3.5 t and built or used for goods transport. Privately financed sections charge cars too; check prices with a trailer before you go.

Sources: § 3 Abs. 3 StVO, § 18 Abs. 5 StVO, 9. Ausnahmeverordnung zur StVO (Tempo 100), § 1 Abs. 1 BFStrMG, BALM, Fragen und Antworten Lkw-Maut

PolandPL

Tolls and vignettes: Since 21 September 2026 vehicles up to 3.5 t with a trailer no longer pay e-TOLL. The class on the concession sections with barriers (A1, A2, A4): check before you go.

Sources: Europäische Kommission, Your Europe: Polen, e-TOLL, Abschaffung der Maut für leichte Fahrzeuge mit Anhänger

All about Poland

GermanyDE

100 on motorways and expressways with a Tempo 100 approval

Tolls and vignettes: No car toll and no vignette; truck toll only applies if the towing vehicle itself is over 3.5 t and built or used for goods transport. Privately financed sections charge cars too; check prices with a trailer before you go.

Sources: § 3 Abs. 3 StVO, § 18 Abs. 5 StVO, 9. Ausnahmeverordnung zur StVO (Tempo 100), § 1 Abs. 1 BFStrMG, BALM, Fragen und Antworten Lkw-Maut

FranceFR

Applies up to 3.5 t combined weight; above that 90 on motorways and 80 on rural roads

Tolls and vignettes: No vignette, toll by distance; on Vinci motorways a combination up to 2 m total height unladen and up to 3.5 t is class 1, with a trailer between 2 and 3 m high class 2.

Sources: Légifrance, Code de la route Art. R413-8, Légifrance, Code de la route Art. R413-1 bis R413-19, Vinci Autoroutes, Classes de véhicules

All about France

SpainES

Tolls and vignettes: No vignette; a car with a trailer without twin tyres pays the car rate (Ligeros) on toll motorways, documented for the AP-9 and the 2007 tariff order. Other operators and prices: check before you go.

Overhang: Load may overhang the rear by up to 10 percent of the vehicle length, indivisible loads up to 15 percent, marked with the V-20 panel; whether other limits apply to boat trailers, check before you go.

Sources: BOE, Reglamento General de Circulación (RD 1428/2003), Europäische Kommission, Your Europe: Spanien, AUDASA (AP-9), Tarifas, BOE Nr. 14 vom 16.01.2007, Orden zur AP-6, BOE, Reglamento General de Vehículos, Anexo XI

All about Spain

PortugalPT

80 on expressways

Tolls and vignettes: No vignette; a car under 1.10 m high above the front axle stays in class 1 with a trailer. For taller vehicles the class with a trailer is not documented, check before you go.

Overhang: On passenger vehicles the load must not exceed the vehicle outline; how this applies to boat trailers, check before you go.

Sources: PGD Lisboa, Código da Estrada Art. 27 und 56, Infraestruturas de Portugal, Regulamento de Setor, Nr. 3.5, IMT, Classificação em Portagens

All about Portugal

GermanyDE

100 on motorways and expressways with a Tempo 100 approval

Tolls and vignettes: No car toll and no vignette; truck toll only applies if the towing vehicle itself is over 3.5 t and built or used for goods transport. Privately financed sections charge cars too; check prices with a trailer before you go.

Sources: § 3 Abs. 3 StVO, § 18 Abs. 5 StVO, 9. Ausnahmeverordnung zur StVO (Tempo 100), § 1 Abs. 1 BFStrMG, BALM, Fragen und Antworten Lkw-Maut

AustriaAT

For trailers over 750 kg up to 3.5 t combined; trailers up to 750 kg 100/100, combined over 3.5 t 80/70

Tolls and vignettes: Vignette for the towing vehicle up to 3.5 t only, the boat trailer needs none; in 2026 the annual vignette costs EUR 106.80 and the 10-day vignette EUR 12.80. On special toll sections a car with trailer pays the car rate, in 2026 for example Tauern EUR 15.00, Brenner EUR 12.50, Karawanken EUR 9.00.

Sources: § 58 KDV 1967 (RIS), § 10 BStMG (RIS), ASFINAG, Vignette, Tarife 2026, ASFINAG, Streckenmaut, Tarife 2026, ASFINAG Mautordnung Version 88

SloveniaSI

Tolls and vignettes: E-vignette for the towing vehicle up to 3,500 kg only, the trailer needs none; class 2A up to 1.30 m height above the first axle, 2B above that, with or without trailer.

Overhang: Load may overhang the rear by at most 1.5 m; from 1 m a red and white panel of at least 25 x 25 cm is required for cars, plus a red light at night.

Sources: ZPrCP Art. 47 (zakonodaja.com), ZPrCP Art. 46 (zakonodaja.com), Europäische Kommission, Your Europe: Slowenien, DARS, Allgemeine Bedingungen E-Vignette, ZPrCP Art. 74 (zakonodaja.com), ZPrCP Art. 75 (zakonodaja.com)

All about Slovenia

GermanyDE

100 on motorways and expressways with a Tempo 100 approval

Tolls and vignettes: No car toll and no vignette; truck toll only applies if the towing vehicle itself is over 3.5 t and built or used for goods transport. Privately financed sections charge cars too; check prices with a trailer before you go.

Sources: § 3 Abs. 3 StVO, § 18 Abs. 5 StVO, 9. Ausnahmeverordnung zur StVO (Tempo 100), § 1 Abs. 1 BFStrMG, BALM, Fragen und Antworten Lkw-Maut

FranceFR

Applies up to 3.5 t combined weight; above that 90 on motorways and 80 on rural roads

Tolls and vignettes: No vignette, toll by distance; on Vinci motorways a combination up to 2 m total height unladen and up to 3.5 t is class 1, with a trailer between 2 and 3 m high class 2.

Sources: Légifrance, Code de la route Art. R413-8, Légifrance, Code de la route Art. R413-1 bis R413-19, Vinci Autoroutes, Classes de véhicules

All about France

SpainES

Tolls and vignettes: No vignette; a car with a trailer without twin tyres pays the car rate (Ligeros) on toll motorways, documented for the AP-9 and the 2007 tariff order. Other operators and prices: check before you go.

Overhang: Load may overhang the rear by up to 10 percent of the vehicle length, indivisible loads up to 15 percent, marked with the V-20 panel; whether other limits apply to boat trailers, check before you go.

Sources: BOE, Reglamento General de Circulación (RD 1428/2003), Europäische Kommission, Your Europe: Spanien, AUDASA (AP-9), Tarifas, BOE Nr. 14 vom 16.01.2007, Orden zur AP-6, BOE, Reglamento General de Vehículos, Anexo XI

All about Spain

GermanyDE

100 on motorways and expressways with a Tempo 100 approval

Tolls and vignettes: No car toll and no vignette; truck toll only applies if the towing vehicle itself is over 3.5 t and built or used for goods transport. Privately financed sections charge cars too; check prices with a trailer before you go.

Sources: § 3 Abs. 3 StVO, § 18 Abs. 5 StVO, 9. Ausnahmeverordnung zur StVO (Tempo 100), § 1 Abs. 1 BFStrMG, BALM, Fragen und Antworten Lkw-Maut

DenmarkDK

100 on motorways with a sticker and conditions; whether this applies to foreign rigs, check before you go

Tolls and vignettes: No vignette; the Great Belt bridge costs DKK 314 with an agreement or DKK 360 by card or cash for a car with trailer over 6 m (2026). Øresund Bridge to Sweden: car with trailer up to 15 m DKK 940 at the toll station, DKK 840 online, DKK 364 with ØresundGO (from 14 Sep 2026).

Sources: Europäische Kommission, Your Europe: Dänemark, Sund & Bælt, Storebælt, Priser 2026, Øresundsbron, Prices

All about Denmark

SwedenSE

Never above 80 with a trailer; 70 on rural roads according to the EU Commission

Tolls and vignettes: No vignette; the Øresund Bridge costs SEK 1380 at the toll station, SEK 1240 online, SEK 536 with ØresundGO for a car with trailer up to 15 m (from 14 Sep 2026). The Svinesund bridge to Norway has been toll free since 15 March 2021.

Sources: Transportstyrelsen, Köra personbil med släp- eller husvagn, Europäische Kommission, Your Europe: Schweden, Øresundsbron, Priser, Statens vegvesen, Meldung vom 19.05.2021 (Svinesund)

All about Sweden

GermanyDE

100 on motorways and expressways with a Tempo 100 approval

Tolls and vignettes: No car toll and no vignette; truck toll only applies if the towing vehicle itself is over 3.5 t and built or used for goods transport. Privately financed sections charge cars too; check prices with a trailer before you go.

Sources: § 3 Abs. 3 StVO, § 18 Abs. 5 StVO, 9. Ausnahmeverordnung zur StVO (Tempo 100), § 1 Abs. 1 BFStrMG, BALM, Fragen und Antworten Lkw-Maut

SwitzerlandCH

100 only on motorways and expressways, trailer up to 3.5 t; applies even where higher limits are posted

Tolls and vignettes: The trailer also needs a vignette: CHF 40, valid from 1 December of the previous year to 31 January of the following year. Whether the trailer needs its own e-vignette on its plate, check before you go.

Overhang: Load may reach at most 5.00 m behind the centre of the rear axle; if it overhangs the vehicle end by more than 1 m, the end must be clearly marked.

Sources: Fedlex, Verkehrsregelnverordnung VRV (SR 741.11), BAZG, FAQ Vignette und E-Vignette, BAZG, E-Vignette und Klebevignette

All about Switzerland