Belgium to launch digital road vignette for all vehicles from May 2027

Starting 1 May 2027 Belgium will require a digital road vignette for all motor vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes, regardless of registration. The system, coordinated by the three regions (Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels), will link the purchase to the vehicle’s licence plate and be enforced by ANPR cameras and spot checks. Drivers can choose validity periods ranging from one day to a full year; annual fees will depend on emissions – €90 for zero‑emission cars, €100 for Euro‑4 and above, and €125 for the most polluting vehicles. Short‑term tickets are also planned. Non‑compliance will attract a €70 fine, rising to €140 and €210 for repeat offences. The measure is expected to generate more than €500 million annually for road maintenance, with revenues earmarked for regional networks (about €130 million for Flanders and €327 million for Wallonia). The Flemish government has introduced an online calculator to help motorists estimate their future costs, and announced that any extra cost for Belgian drivers will be offset by adjustments to the existing traffic tax. The EU’s rule against discriminating against foreign road users means the vignette applies equally to French and other international drivers crossing Belgium.

The rollout will be preceded by a sales start on 1 March 2027, and a two‑month grace period before fines take effect. The policy has drawn mixed political reactions but is supported by employer organisations that see the revenue as dedicated to improving the road network.