New Toll Charges in Europe in 2026

2026 will bring significant changes to road tolls in the region

Europe’s transport and logistics sector is entering a period of important regulatory change. In 2026, several countries in South-Eastern Europe are introducing new charging models or increasing existing toll rates, directly affecting the cost base of transport services.

This article summarises the key changes in Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria and what they mean for shipment planning and budgets.

What are the main changes in 2026?

The overall trend is clear:

• higher infrastructure charges
• greater emphasis on environmental performance
• a move towards distance-based charging

These measures are part of broader European policies for sustainable transport and road-infrastructure funding.

Changes by country

🇭🇺 Hungary: phased but significant increase

Hungary is introducing a two-stage increase in toll charges in 2026:

• From 1 January 2026 – approximately 5% increase in the infrastructure component
• From 1 March 2026 – an additional increase of around 30%, together with an expansion of tolled road sections

For certain heavy-goods vehicle categories and routes, the total increase may reach 35–50%, making Hungary one of the most significant drivers of higher transport costs in the region.

🇷🇴 Romania: end of vignettes, start of TollRO

Romania is moving to a completely new charging model through the TollRO system.

What changes:

• vignettes for heavy-goods vehicles are removed
• kilometre-based charging is introduced
• charges depend on the vehicle’s environmental class

Although the aim is a fairer distribution of infrastructure costs, the practical result is expected to be higher transit costs, especially on longer routes through the country.

🇧🇬 Bulgaria: CO₂ component in toll charges

From 1 March 2026, Bulgaria plans to introduce a CO₂ emissions component in toll charges for heavy-goods traffic.

• the expected average increase is around 30%
• the measure is aligned with European sustainable-transport directives

The parameters remain subject to final confirmation, with further clarity expected in early 2026.

How will these changes affect businesses?

Toll charges are set by governments and are outside the control of transport operators. They nevertheless:

• directly influence the final service price
• affect long-term contracts
• require more precise budgeting and planning

Companies that rely on regular deliveries and international road transport should therefore factor these changes into their financial and logistics plans for 2026.

How Unimasters supports its customers

In a dynamic regulatory environment, information and adaptability are essential.

The Unimasters team actively monitors changes in road tolls and supports customers through:

• route and cost analysis by country
• optimisation of transport solutions
• timely information about regulatory changes

Our goal is to help you plan with greater confidence and minimise the impact of external factors on your business.

If you have questions or need advice, our team is available to help.