Czech Vignette 2026 — Highway Toll Guide for Rental Car Drivers
If you're renting a car in Prague and planning to use the motorway — to Dresden, Vienna, the Giant Mountains, or simply to reach the airport — you'll need a Czech vignette. This small digital fee unlocks the entire Czech highway network. In 2026, prices went up slightly, so here's the updated guide.
And if you're renting from CarLove: the vignette is included in every rental. You don't need to buy it, activate it, or think about it. Just drive.
What Is the Czech Highway Vignette?
The Czech Republic uses an electronic vignette system (e-vignette, also called e-dálniční známka). Since January 2021, there are no physical stickers. Instead, your vehicle's licence plate is registered in a digital database after purchase. Police and automatic cameras verify compliance by scanning plates — no disc, no sticker, no paperwork.
The vignette is required on all motorways and expressways (silnice pro motorová vozidla) marked with a green motorway sign. Standard roads and ring roads inside cities are free.
Czech Vignette 2026: Prices
Prices increased from January 2026:
| Type | Validity | Price (CZK) | Approx. EUR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily | 24 hours from chosen start time | 230 CZK | ~€9 |
| 10-day | 10 consecutive days | 300 CZK | ~€12 |
| Monthly | 30 consecutive days | 480 CZK | ~€19 |
| Annual | Full calendar year | 2,570 CZK | ~€103 |
All prices are for passenger cars (category M1 — up to 3.5 tonnes). Motorcycles have separate, lower prices. Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes use a separate toll system (MYTO) and don't need a vignette.
Where and How to Buy the Czech E-Vignette
Option 1 — Online (recommended): Purchase at edalnice.cz, the official Czech government portal. Enter your vehicle's licence plate, choose validity, pay by card. The vignette is activated immediately — you can buy it while sitting at a Prague café and hit the motorway five minutes later.
Option 2 — Petrol stations: Available at most fuel stations near motorway on-ramps and across the country. Useful if you prefer cash payment.
Option 3 — Czech Post offices: Less common for tourists, but available.
Important: When buying for a rental car, use the exact licence plate on your rental agreement. The vignette is tied to the plate — it cannot be transferred to another vehicle.
Does My Rental Car Include the Czech Vignette?
This depends on the rental company, and it's worth checking before you book.
At CarLove, the Czech highway vignette is included in every rental — at no extra charge. You don't need to buy, activate, or register anything. The moment you pick up your car, the vignette is already active in the system. Just follow motorway signs as you would anywhere in Europe.
This is true for all car classes: from a compact Hyundai i20 to a Volvo XC60. Every rental, every season.
Which Roads Require a Vignette?
Czech motorways (dálnice) are numbered D1, D2, D3, etc. Expressways (rychlostní silnice, marked R or I/XX) also require a vignette. The most-used routes for tourists:
- D1 — Prague to Brno (and continuing to Slovakia)
- D5 — Prague to the German border (Rozvadov), then to Nuremberg
- D8 — Prague to the German border (Cínovec / Dresden direction)
- D11 — Prague to Hradec Králové (and on to Poland)
- D2 — Brno to Bratislava
City ring roads inside Prague (Městský okruh) do not require a vignette.
What If You Drive Without a Vignette?
Driving on a Czech motorway without a valid vignette carries an on-the-spot fine of 5,000 CZK (~€200) or up to 100,000 CZK if taken to court. Czech Traffic Police conduct regular checks, especially near the border and at motorway junctions. Automatic cameras are also in use.
For rental car drivers, the fine is assessed against the registered vehicle — the rental company will charge the amount to your card and add an administration fee on top. It's not worth the risk.
Practical Tips for Road Trips from Prague
- Prague to Dresden: D8 motorway, ~120 km. Vignette required until the German border; German roads are free for passenger cars.
- Prague to Vienna: D1 to Brno, then D2 to Slovakia border, then Austrian motorway (separate Austrian vignette required).
- Prague to Krkonoše (Giant Mountains): Route via D11 to Hradec Králové, then regional roads. Vignette needed for the D11 section.
- Prague to Pilsen: D5 motorway, ~95 km.
All these routes are covered with a CarLove rental — cross-border travel to Germany, Austria, Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia is included in the standard rental price.
FAQ
Is the Czech vignette included in CarLove rentals? Yes, 100%. Every CarLove rental includes the Czech highway vignette. No extra fee, no activation needed on your part.
Can I buy the Czech e-vignette before I arrive in Prague? Yes. Purchase at edalnice.cz using your rental car's licence plate. You'll find the plate on your booking confirmation from CarLove.
What's the cheapest vignette for a short trip? For a day trip, the 1-day vignette at 230 CZK (€9) is cheapest. For trips of 2–10 days, the 10-day at 300 CZK (€12) is better value.
Do I need a vignette to drive in Prague city centre? No. Urban roads in Prague, including ring roads, do not require a vignette. You only need it when joining the motorway network.
Is the Austrian vignette different from the Czech one? Yes — they are separate. If you're driving through Austria, you'll need to purchase an Austrian e-vignette separately at tolltickets.com or at the border. CarLove's rental price covers Czech roads; Austrian, German, and Slovak toll requirements differ by country.
What vehicles are exempt from the Czech vignette? Electric vehicles (registered with zero-emission number plates) are exempt from the vignette fee. All other passenger cars, including hybrids, require a valid vignette.
CarLove — Czech highway vignette included in every rental, zero extra charge Hilton Prague Hotel, Pobřežní 311/1, Praha 8 | Metro: Florenc +420 608 131 151 | info@carlove.cz | carlove.cz