Czech highway vignette prices set to freeze as 24-hour pass wins backing

Czech highway vignette prices could remain unchanged from next year after lawmakers approved a government proposal to end their automatic annual increases.

The Chamber of Deputies passed the amendment Wednesday with support from the governing coalition. It would keep the standard annual electronic vignette at CZK 2,570, alongside current prices of CZK 480 for 30 days, CZK 300 for 10 days and CZK 230 for one day.

The bill would also address a frequent complaint about the shortest vignette. Instead of expiring at midnight on its first calendar day, the one-day pass would remain valid for a full 24 hours.

The legislation is not yet final. It will now go to the Senate and would subsequently require the president’s signature before taking effect.

The annual vignette price is currently adjusted through a mechanism reflecting inflation and the expansion of Czechia’s highway network. Removing that automatic indexation would mean prices no longer rise as a matter of course each year.

It would not prevent a future government and parliament from changing the fees through new legislation. For the immediate future, however, the proposal would preserve all four prices at their 2026 levels.

Discounts for lower-emission vehicles using alternative fuels would also remain in place.

The revised one-day vignette could offer a more practical benefit to motorists making short journeys. Under the current system, a pass activated late in the day still expires at midnight, meaning it may be valid for only a few hours.

Making it valid for 24 hours would particularly help drivers entering Czechia in the afternoon or evening, as well as those making an overnight return journey. The change was supported by representatives of both the coalition and opposition.

Government politicians presented the proposal as relief for drivers. SPD leader Tomio Okamura said the coalition would stop the price increase planned under the previous administration.

Opposition representatives described the decision to cancel automatic increases as populist. Freezing the charges could reduce the future revenue available for highway construction and maintenance as costs rise.

The price freeze and 24-hour rule were added to the same amendment, but both depend on the remaining legislative process. Until it takes effect, the current rules continue to apply—including the midnight expiry for a one-day vignette.

Motorists should also be wary of unofficial sellers when purchasing electronic passes. Czech highway vignettes are available through the official eDalnice system, where buyers can select the appropriate validity period and register the vehicle’s license plate.