Significant Changes in Road Tolls in Poland and Across Europe

New e-TOLL Rates in Poland - What Do They Mean for the Transport Sector?

As of January 1, 2025, e-TOLL rates for heavy goods vehicles have increased by an average of approximately 3% compared to the previous year.[1] For transport companies, this represents tangible, noticeable costs that, on a monthly and yearly scale, can significantly affect business profitability. According to Trans.eu, in 2025, the cost of running a transport company may rise by approximately 3.8% to 5%, and in some cases, even up to 10%.[2] The toll hikes mainly result from an indexation mechanism tied to inflation, as well as the need to align Poland’s toll system with EU requirements regarding infrastructure financing.

Currently, Poland has 5,205.5 km of high-speed roads, including motorways and expressways[3]. These are the roads where the new e-TOLL rate increases will be most noticeable. Planned changes announced at the end of 2024 sparked significant concerns. Industry organizations warned that transport companies may not be able to bear the rising costs, with some toll rates deemed excessively high.

The increase in road toll rates is a significant change for businesses. Even small increases can greatly impact the overall operating costs of transport companies - especially when considered over the long term. For companies running numerous trips or covering long distances, these changes may have serious consequences and strain their budgets. Especially since toll hikes are not limited to Poland. Carriers should carefully analyze their routes and operational costs. For small and medium-sized enterprises already operating near the break-even point, even slight toll increases may force higher freight rates or cost-cutting in other areas.
– comments Tomasz Góralewicz, National Sales Manager at Eurowag Group.

Not Just Poland - New Toll Rules Across Europe

It’s not just Poland that has raised tolls. Carriers operating internationally must be prepared for additional costs in many European countries. In Germany, since December 2023, a new toll model has been in effect that considers CO₂ emissions. For the oldest vehicles, this can mean an increase in road tolls of up to 83%.[4] In France, although the increases are less severe, a 0.9% rise in motorway tolls has been in place since February 2025.[5] In Spain, as of January 1, the average toll rate adjustment was around 2-3%.[6] Notable increases have also occurred in the Czech Republic and Switzerland - both around 5% - as well as in Austria, where tolls rose by over 7%.[7] In Slovakia, tolls are expected to rise by as much as 40% from July 2025, with a new CO₂-based toll system being introduced at the same time.[8]

How Can Transport Companies Reduce Toll Costs?

While toll rate increases are unavoidable, carriers can implement solutions to help minimize their impact on company budgets. One of the most effective methods is route optimization. Using modern Transport Management Systems (TMS) allows for precise cost analysis, selection of routes with fewer tolls, and avoidance of unnecessary mileage. By leveraging historical data and dynamic planning tools, companies can reduce toll expenses.

Another effective solution is the use of onboard devices, such as Eurowag’s EVA OBU, which enables automatic toll calculation. The EETS system simplifies administration and reduces the number of devices needed to manage tolls across different countries.

Route optimization using advanced transport management systems allows not only for real financial savings but also for better operational and logistical planning. Companies with real-time data access can analyze routes, choose the most cost-effective travel options, and eliminate unnecessary mileage - ultimately reducing costs.
- notes Tomasz Góralewicz.

The expert also emphasizes that toll cost optimization provides more than just direct financial benefits. - It also improves a company’s overall operational efficiency. As a result, carriers can enhance their competitiveness in an increasingly demanding transport market. Investing in modern fleet management technologies and smart billing systems is not only a survival strategy but also a pathway to further growth for transport companies – adds Góralewicz.

CO₂-Based Tolling - Will Poland Adopt the New System?

EU Directive 2022/362, known as the "Eurovignette Directive," requires member states to implement toll systems based on CO₂ emissions. Germany, the Czech Republic, and Hungary have already adopted such systems as of 2024, increasing transport costs for older vehicles. Poland is also planning to implement similar regulations within the e-TOLL system - legislative work is currently underway. Tomasz Góralewicz points out that the introduction of the new toll system is only a matter of time, and carriers should already begin preparing for the upcoming changes.

Implementing CO₂-based tolls in Poland is just a matter of time. Transport companies must think long term and start planning investments in more eco-friendly vehicles. Otherwise, their operating costs may rise to levels that significantly limit competitiveness. Carriers in Germany, the Czech Republic, and Hungary are already feeling the consequences of the new regulations. Poland will soon follow suit, so businesses should begin adapting their fleets to the new market realities. In practice, this means investing in vehicles with higher emissions standards or exploring alternative technologies.
- warns Tomasz Góralewicz, Eurowag Group.

A lack of proper adaptation could lead to a drastic rise in operational costs in the future, reducing company margins and competitiveness in the European transport market. Carriers who ignore these changes may struggle to remain profitable, especially in the face of rising customer expectations and increasingly strict environmental regulations.

What Else Could Change in the e-TOLL System in the Coming Year?

According to the draft law, the electronic toll will be divided into three components:

• Infrastructure fee - currently in effect,
• External cost fee for CO₂ emissions - a new fee under EU Directive 2022/362, calculated based on the CO₂ emissions of the vehicle,
• External cost fee for air pollution - another new fee, also introduced under the EU directive.

The planned changes also include adjusting infrastructure fee rates based on EURO emission standards, along with a modified structure for fee distribution. Additionally, five CO₂ emission classes will be introduced, which will serve as the basis for calculating external cost fees. Every six years, the National Revenue Administration will reassess vehicles within the Electronic Toll Collection System (SPOE), evaluating their CO₂ emissions against current standards and reference values. This could result in changes to a vehicle’s emission class.

Moreover, the external cost fee related to air pollution will be based on the EURO emission class. As a result, new data - including individual vehicle CO₂ emissions - will be added to the SPOE register, becoming a new criterion for toll calculations.

Source: Eurowag

[1] ZMPD – Road toll increases from January 1, 2025, in Europe
[2] Trans.eu – Transport Market Report 2024/2025: Conclusions, Forecasts, and Challenges
[3] Gov.pl – GDDKiA position on tolls on concession sections of A2 and A4 motorways
[4] Toll-Collect.de
[5] ZMPD – Road toll increases from January 1, 2025, in Europe
[6] Ibid.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Polish Chamber of Forwarding and Logistics – Slovakia: Road toll hike from July 2025