Find yourself driving down to Belgium from time to time for a weekend trip? Or nipping across the border to pick up that one drink you love? Well, from next year, it’s likely going to cost you.
From May 2027, Belgium wants to introduce a road vignette for everyone who uses its roads. This is essentially prepaid road tax.
However, it wouldn’t just apply to Belgian residents. It would apply to anyone who wants to use Belgian roads, including brief tourists or commuters from Netherlands.
How much is it going to cost me?
According to Belgian newspaper, Het Laatste Nieuws, how much it costs depends on a number of factors such as how old and polluting your car is or how long you want the vignette to last. Let’s lay them out:
- The basic annual rate: €100
- Annual rate for someone who drives a more polluting car: €125
- Annual rate for someone who drives electric or hydrogen: €90
- A one-day vignette: €9
- A 10-day vignette: €12
- A one-month vignette: €19
- A two-month vignette: €30
Got a more polluting car? Nu.nl writes that you’ll have to pay slightly more.
What if I’m sneaky and don’t pay it?
Perhaps you’re literally nipping across the border to buy some cheaper toiletries, is it really necessary to purchase a vignette?
Well that depends on whether you’re willing to risk a hefty fine.
The first time you’re caught driving in Belgium without a vignette, you’ll have to cough up €70. The second time? It’ll jump to €140. And from the third time onwards, it’ll be an eye-watering €210 — the equivalent of more than two annual passes.
What about a deal for Dutch residents?
As Nu.nl reports, Minister Vincent Karremans of the VVD is advocating for a more lenient policy for Dutch residents who live near the border with Belgium. After all, they may find themselves accidentally slipping into the country on their morning commute.
“But I understand that is not included in the package now, which is very disappointing,” he tells Nu.nl.
However, these plans aren’t finalised yet. According to Euronews, the vignette still needs final approval from the regions and European authorities.
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