Hungary Vignette Fines 2026: Amounts, Grace Period & How to Pay
Mattijs Wijnmalen
CEO and co-founder
Key takeaways
- Surcharge in 2026: HUF 27,790 if paid within 60 days of receiving the payment notice, HUF 95,730 after that.
- Same for every category: vehicles in categories D1M, D1, D2 and U pay these amounts.
- 60-minute rule: a late purchase only helps if it is completed within 60 minutes of entering the toll road, with the correct details.
- One per day: at most one surcharge per licence plate per calendar day.
- After a notice: the toll operator offers options to reduce the amount, two of them with a 75-day deadline.
(Source: Magyar Közút Nonprofit Zrt. Toll Division; Decree No. 45/2020 (XI. 28.) ITM, checked 4 October 2026)
Hungary vignette fines are surcharges (pótdíj) for using a toll road without a valid "e-Matrica", the Hungarian e-vignette. They are civil-law charges, not police fines, and are collected by the toll operator, Magyar Közút Nonprofit Zrt. Toll Division. Speeding and other traffic offences are subject to separate rules which are explained in our comprehensive guide to Traffic fines in Hungary.
In 2024, Nemzeti Útdíjfizetési Szolgáltató Zrt. (NÚSZ), which collected tolls until the end of 2025, recorded more than 2 million surcharge cases, and 59% involved foreign-registered vehicles (NÚSZ figures reported by Telex, September 2025). The minimum fine amount that we've seen is €145.34. With 2 million surcharges that means a staggering €290 million in surcharges. One could argue that the system is made so complicated to be able to charge these insane surcharge amounts.
At the Ártánd border crossing on the M4 at Easter 2026, Mattijs Wijnmalen photographed the sign at the motorway slip road stating that an e-vignette is required and video enforcement is in effect. Checks can take place anywhere on a toll section, including the first one after the border, so buy the e-vignette for Hungary before you cross.
(Source: Decree No. 45/2020 (XI. 28.) ITM; Magyar Közút Nonprofit Zrt. Toll Division, checked 4 October 2026)
What Are Hungary Vignette Fines in 2026? Fine Amounts Explained
There are two charges: the surcharge (pótdíj) for driving without a valid e-vignette, and the smaller surcharge difference (pótdíjkülönbözet) for an e-vignette bought in a lower-priced category.
Both charges are lower if paid within 60 days. The 60 days count from delivery of the payment notice, not from the date of the journey.
Hungary toll surcharges, as of October 2026
| Charge | Paid within 60 days | Paid after 60 days | When it applies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surcharge (pótdíj) and administration costs | Fine: HUF 27,790 (about €80.43) Administration costs: €65.00. |
HUF 95,730 (about €276.75) The administration costs stay at the same level. |
No valid e-vignette, the plate or country code on it does not match the vehicle, or a trailer needing a U e-vignette has none (charged to the towing vehicle's keeper) |
| Surcharge difference | HUF 15,530 (about €42) | HUF 49,190 (about €134) | A lower-priced category was bought, e.g. D1 for a D2 vehicle |
(Source: Magyar Közút Nonprofit Zrt. Toll Division, 2026 rates under Decree No. 45/2020 (XI. 28.) ITM; euro amounts approximate, at the Magyar Nemzeti Bank rate of 2 October 2026, EUR 1 = HUF 367.87)
D1 and D2 Fines (Cars, Vans, Motorcycles, Motorhomes)
The surcharge is the same in every category. The table below shows which category to buy for your vehicle. A higher category than required does not lead to a surcharge.
Weights below are given as maximum permissible weight (MPW), shown in field F.1 of the registration certificate.
| Category | Vehicles |
|---|---|
| D1M | Motorcycles (annual e-vignettes for motorcycles are sold as D1) |
| D1 | Cars up to 3.5 t MPW with no more than 7 seats including the driver, and their trailers |
| D2 | Vehicles registered as N1 (such as vans), vehicles with more than 7 seats, buses up to 3.5 t MPW, motorhomes over 3.5 t MPW (since 1 January 2026, per the Toll Division's motorhome guide), and other vehicles that fit no other category and are not subject to HU-GO tolls |
| U | Trailers towed by D2 vehicles |
(Source: Magyar Közút Nonprofit Zrt. Toll Division, "Motorhomes and caravans in the e-vignette system", valid from 1 January 2026; Decree No. 45/2020 (XI. 28.) ITM)
Buses: E-Vignette or HU-GO
The B2 bus category has been withdrawn from the e-vignette system. Since 1 April 2024, buses over 3.5 tonnes MPW pay distance-based tolls through the HU-GO system.
Buses up to 3.5 tonnes MPW fall under category D2, so the surcharges above apply to them. HU-GO has its own fines, which this guide does not cover.
(Source: HU-GO notice on buses over 3.5 t; NÚSZ toll information for bus operators, March 2024)
Two Critical Emails: Don't Drive on Email 1 Alone
An e-vignette bought online can only be used once you have received the confirmation that it is registered. At Evignettehungary.com, a private reseller, that confirmation is the second email, not the first.
| What it confirms | Can you use toll roads? | |
|---|---|---|
| Email 1 | Your order and payment; registration in the national system is still in progress | No |
| Email 2 | Your e-vignette is registered, with the PDF confirmation attached | Yes, from the start time shown |
- Wait time: registration usually takes 1 to 2 minutes after payment.
- No Email 2 after 10 minutes: check your spam folder, then contact our support team via the chat or help centre.
- Status check: enter the plate and country code on the page Check your e-Matrica validity, or use the toll operator's online e-vignette enquirer at nemzetiutdij.hu.
(Source: Decree No. 45/2020 (XI. 28.) ITM; Magyar Közút Nonprofit Zrt. Toll Division, online e-vignette enquirer; Evignettehungary.com order process)
Placeholder: hungary-e-matrica-two-emails.webp. Caption: "Email 2 confirms the e-vignette is registered. Photo: Ujjawal, April 2026". No image file supplied yet.
The 60-Minute Grace Period and Why Not to Rely on It
Drivers who enter a Hungarian toll road by mistake have 60 minutes from entry to buy an e-vignette. The decree states that no surcharge can be based on a check made within 60 minutes before a correctly purchased e-vignette becomes valid.
The rule only helps when every condition below is met:
- The clock starts at entry: the 60 minutes run from the moment you join the toll section, not from the border queue or the next rest area.
- The purchase is complete: registration must finish within the hour, so the second email has to arrive in time.
- The details are correct: a wrong plate, country code or category is not covered by the rule.
We regularly see people complain that the 60 minute rule is a scam. They state that they bought it in 10 minutes after crossing the Hungarian border and still got fined.
If a payment notice arrives even though you bought within 60 minutes, use the steps under How to Dispute a Hungary Toll Fine below. One important remark is to pay the fine before you appeal it. We've seen people getting surcharge on surcharge before the initial appeal was accepted. The incasso organisation in charge still claimed the surcharge.
Field observation: M1 at Hegyeshalom, April 2026
Mattijs Wijnmalen recorded toll enforcement gantries within 200 metres of the border entry at Hegyeshalom, with no e-vignette sales point visible on the Hungarian side. On this route, have the e-vignette active before you cross.
(Source: Decree No. 45/2020 (XI. 28.) ITM; Magyar Közút Nonprofit Zrt. Toll Division, checked 4 October 2026)
Common Causes of a Toll Fine
A Hungary e-Matrica fine comes from driving without a valid e-vignette or from errors in the one you bought. To avoid these mistakes, make sure you select the correct vehicle category when choosing your Hungary vignette type before finalizing your purchase.
| Cause | Result | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Driving before Email 2 arrives | Surcharge, unless registration is complete within 60 minutes of the check | Wait for Email 2 or check the status first |
| D1 bought for a D2 vehicle (N1 van, more than 7 seats, motorhome over 3.5 t MPW) | Surcharge difference | Check fields J, F.1 and S.1 of the registration certificate |
| D2 vehicle towing a trailer without a U e-vignette | Full surcharge, charged to the towing vehicle's keeper | Buy a U e-vignette for the trailer |
| Mistyped plate or wrong country code | Full surcharge; a plate error of up to 3 characters or a wrong country code can be corrected | Check the summary before paying |
| County e-vignette used beyond the first junction after the county border | Full surcharge | Check the county map before the trip |
| Annual e-vignette bought for the wrong year | Full surcharge; the year cannot be changed afterwards | Check the year before paying |
| Expired e-vignette (an annual one ends at 24:00 on 31 January of the following year) | Full surcharge | Note the end date |
| No e-vignette bought at all | Full surcharge | Buy before you set off |
(Source: Decree No. 45/2020 (XI. 28.) ITM; Magyar Közút Nonprofit Zrt. Toll Division; NÚSZ e-vignette information, checked 4 October 2026)
Wrong Category or Plate: Can You Correct It?
Some purchase errors can be corrected, even after a payment notice has arrived. Once the e-vignette is active, corrections are handled by the Magyar Közút Nonprofit Zrt. Toll Division, not by resellers.
Correction rules and fees, as of October 2026
| Error | Correction window | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Plate, up to 3 wrong characters | From purchase until 60 days after receiving the payment notice | HUF 1,470 (free for 0/O and 1/I mix-ups) |
| Country code | From purchase until 60 days after receiving the payment notice | HUF 1,470 |
| Category | Only while the e-vignette is still valid; the price difference is paid or refunded, but a surcharge already imposed still applies | HUF 1,470 |
A corrected plate is valid for the whole validity period of the e-vignette. A correction needs the registration certificate and the purchase confirmation.
If you spot an error before your e-vignette is activated, contact our support team and we can correct the order.
(Source: Decree No. 45/2020 (XI. 28.) ITM; Magyar Közút Nonprofit Zrt. Toll Division, customer services 2026, checked 4 October 2026)
How Enforcement Works
E-vignettes are checked by licence plate, so there is nothing to display in the vehicle. The toll operator uses three methods:
- Stationary cameras: plate readers at fixed points on the toll road network.
- Mobile verification units: plate readers that move between locations on the network.
- Mobile roadside inspection units: staff who stop vehicles and can collect the surcharge on the spot.
A surcharge can be imposed at most once per licence plate per calendar day. A three-day trip without an e-vignette can mean three surcharges.
If the vehicle is not stopped at the roadside, the payment notice goes by post to its registered keeper.
Placeholder: hungary-motorway-camera-gantry.webp. Caption: "A plate-reading camera gantry on a Hungarian motorway. Photo: Ujjawal, April 2026". No image file supplied yet.
(Source: Decree No. 45/2020 (XI. 28.) ITM; NÚSZ e-vignette information, checked 4 October 2026)
Do Foreign and Rental Vehicles Get Fined?
Yes. Foreign-registered and rental vehicles get the same surcharges as vehicles registered in Hungary. A partner agency abroad sends the payment notice and collects the surcharge for the toll operator, adding its own administrative costs.
For vehicles registered in another EU country, the operator identifies the keeper through that country's vehicle register under Directive (EU) 2019/520. Driving home does not cancel the surcharge.
Rental cars: the notice goes to the rental company as the registered keeper. A rental contract can allow the company to pass the surcharge on to the driver, so check the terms before you travel.
(Source: Decree No. 45/2020 (XI. 28.) ITM; NÚSZ e-vignette information, checked 4 October 2026)
Received a Payment Notice? Ways to Reduce or Spread the Cost
The toll operator offers four options, each available only on request.
Options after a payment notice, as of October 2026
| Option | What it does | When or how to request |
|---|---|---|
| Annual national e-vignette | Unpaid surcharges incurred between the unauthorised use and the purchase are withdrawn | Request within 75 days of receiving the notice |
| Maximisation | Surcharges from several payment notices are capped at two base surcharges (HUF 27,790 each in 2026) or two surcharge differences | Request within 75 days of the first notice; pay within 30 days of the decision |
| Surcharge amnesty | Surcharges from the 180 days before the request are settled for six base surcharges | Written or in-person request |
| Instalments | The amount is split into instalments, with a signed acknowledgement of the debt | Written, in-person or phone request |
Surcharges you have already paid cannot be included. An unpaid surcharge rises to the higher amount 60 days after the notice is delivered. To be safe, count the 60 days from the date printed on the letter and send any request early.
Which Option Costs Least? Worked Examples
The lowest-cost option depends on how many surcharges you received. These examples assume a request within 75 days of the first notice and use 2026 prices.
Cost comparison, as of October 2026
| Situation | Paying every surcharge | Lowest-cost option |
|---|---|---|
| D1 car, 3 surcharges | HUF 83,370 | Maximisation: HUF 55,580, as the annual D1 e-vignette costs HUF 61,760 |
| D1 car, 5 surcharges | HUF 138,950 | Maximisation: HUF 55,580 |
| D2 van, 3 surcharges | HUF 83,370 | Maximisation: HUF 55,580, as the annual D2 e-vignette costs HUF 87,650 |
For a single surcharge, nothing costs less than paying HUF 27,790 within 60 days. The annual e-vignette is more expensive in these examples, but it also covers toll roads until 31 January 2027, which helps drivers who return to Hungary regularly.
(Source: Magyar Közút Nonprofit Zrt. Toll Division, customer services 2026 and 2026 price list; NÚSZ e-vignette information, checked 4 October 2026)
How to Dispute a Hungary Toll Fine
To dispute a Hungary vignette fine, check your purchase against the notice and send your proof to the toll operator in writing.
- Read the notice: note the reference number, the date and place of the check, and the payment deadline.
- Gather proof: the confirmation email or PDF (or the control slip from an in-person purchase) and the vehicle registration certificate.
- Compare the details: make sure the plate, country code, category and validity cover the date and time of the check.
- Write to the operator: send the proof to the Magyar Közút Nonprofit Zrt. Toll Division, or to the partner agency named on the notice if your vehicle is registered abroad.
Keep your purchase records for 2 years after the e-vignette expires, as the toll operator advises. Always pay the fine, then appeal. This prevents the collection agency from adding surcharge on surcharge.
Situations Where No Surcharge Applies
Beyond a valid purchase, the decree names situations in which a surcharge cannot be imposed or can be withdrawn:
- System outage: no surcharge for checks made during a published outage of the toll operator's central system or within 60 minutes after it.
- Stolen vehicle or plates: no surcharge if the keeper proves, with the authority's final decision, that the vehicle or plates were stolen or the plates were misused.
- Exempt vehicle not registered in time: the exemption can still be proved within 90 days of receiving the first notice, with an administrative fee.
Contacting the Toll Operator
Contact details, as of October 2026
| Channel | Details |
|---|---|
| Phone | +36 36 587 500, with English-speaking staff on working days from 08:00 to 16:00 |
| ugyfel@nemzetiutdij.hu | |
| Post | Magyar Közút Nonprofit Zrt. Toll Division, 1380 Budapest, Pf.: 1170 |
(Source: Decree No. 45/2020 (XI. 28.) ITM; Magyar Közút Nonprofit Zrt. Toll Division, customer service information 2026; NÚSZ e-vignette information, checked 4 October 2026)
How to Avoid a Hungary Toll Fine
Every e-vignette is recorded in the same national system, whoever sells it. The seller must give you a confirmation showing the recorded details, and checking them is the buyer's responsibility.
- Buy before the trip: an advance purchase gives you time to read the confirmation ahead of the first toll road.
- Check before paying: compare the plate, country code and category with the registration certificate, and confirm the start date.
- Verify after buying: a status check confirms the e-vignette is registered to your plate.
(Source: Decree No. 45/2020 (XI. 28.) ITM; NÚSZ e-vignette information, checked 4 October 2026)
At Evignettehungary.com you can Buy your Hungary e-Matrica online and receive a written confirmation of your plate, country code and category. As a private reseller, not the toll authority, we register e-vignettes in the national system and take responsibility for registration errors on our part.
FAQ
Written by: Freek Jurg, COO of Evignettehungary.com (Maut & Vignette B.V.), 10+ years covering European travel and toll regulations.
Reviewed by: Mattijs Wijnmalen, CEO, Maut & Vignette B.V., 10 years in European road tolling. Mattijs Wijnmalen drove the M1 via Hegyeshalom and the M4 via Ártánd in spring 2026.
Photos: Ujjawal Verma.
Last verified: 4 October 2026.
This guide is for information only and is not legal advice. Speed limits and fine amounts can change, so check the current rules before you travel. Evignettehungary.com is a private reseller of Hungarian e-vignettes and is not the Hungarian toll or traffic authority.
Freek Jurg is the COO and co-founder of Evignettehungary.com's operator, Maut & Vignette B.V. He co-founded the business with Mattijs Wijnmalen in 2014 and looks after day-to-day operations, including order processing and the IT integrations that register each vignette against the right vehicle.