The electronic highway vignette in Czechia in 2026 (dálniční e-známka) is purchased online via the official government portal edalnice.gov.cz, at Česká pošta branches, or at EuroOil filling stations — and it's linked to your car's license plate (SPZ), with no sticker on the windshield. An annual vignette costs 2,570 Kč, a monthly one (30 days) costs 480 Kč, a 10-day vignette costs 300 Kč, and a 1-day vignette costs 230 Kč; electric vehicles drive for free.
Below you'll find current 2026 prices, a step-by-step buying guide, validity periods, exemptions (electric vehicles, motorcycles, vehicles over 3.5 tonnes), and fine amounts. The vignette is mandatory for vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes on the tolled sections of Czech motorways (dálnice) and expressways.
Paper stickers for the windshield were abolished in Czechia — since 2021, only the electronic dálniční e-známka is valid. It's simply an entry in a government database linked to your car's license plate. You don't receive any physical coupon, and there's nothing to stick anywhere.
Enforcement on the roads is carried out by fixed and mobile cameras: they read the SPZ of passing vehicles and instantly cross-check it against the database of paid vignettes. That's why it's not the receipt you need to keep safe — it's crucial to enter your plate number correctly when purchasing. A mistake in your SPZ means the system will treat you as driving without a vignette.
For a standard car (petrol, diesel, LPG), the annual vignette costs 2,570 Kč, the 30-day one costs 480 Kč, the 10-day one costs 300 Kč, and the 1-day one costs 230 Kč. Compared to 2025, all categories have gone up by 10–130 Kč (the annual price rose from 2,440 to 2,570 Kč) due to statutory annual indexation. Reduced rates apply to CNG vehicles and plug-in hybrids, while electric vehicles are fully exempt.
| Duration | Standard car | CNG / LNG / biomethane | Plug-in hybrid (up to 50 g CO₂/km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day | 230 Kč | 110 Kč | 50 Kč |
| 10 days | 300 Kč | 150 Kč | 70 Kč |
| 30 days | 480 Kč | 240 Kč | 120 Kč |
| Year (365 days) | 2,570 Kč | 1,280 Kč | 640 Kč |
Here's how the discounts work: natural gas vehicles (CNG/LNG/biomethane) pay 50% of the base rate, plug-in hybrids with emissions up to 50 g CO₂/km pay 25%, and electric or hydrogen vehicles pay 0 Kč. Rates are set by the state annually — before buying, double-check the exact amounts on edalnice.gov.cz, since prices are revised at the start of each year.
The reduced rate isn't applied automatically based on the fuel type listed in your documents — you need to select the correct category at purchase, and the system verifies it against the database. For plug-in hybrids, the key criterion is emissions of no more than 50 g CO₂/km. If you're unsure which category your car falls into, check your vehicle registration certificate or the edalnice.gov.cz portal.
The easiest way is to get your e-známka yourself in just a couple of minutes. Here's how to do it on the official portal:
You can also buy a vignette offline: at Česká pošta branches, at EuroOil filling stations (run by the state distributor ČEPRO), or at self-service kiosks near border crossings — handy if you're entering Czechia from abroad. At kiosks and in the e-shop, only card or transfer payment is accepted; at post offices and EuroOil stations, you can pay cash.
The official eDalnice app for iOS and Android doesn't sell the vignette itself — it's meant for checking validity and setting reminders. To actually buy one, use the edalnice.gov.cz portal or one of the sales points listed above.
The vignette is strictly tied to a specific car and its plate — it cannot be transferred to another vehicle. If you're buying a used car, any vignette already paid for by the previous owner remains valid for that vehicle. However, if the license plates change (for example, after re-registering a car, prepis), you'll need to buy a new vignette for the new SPZ — so it's worth planning such changes ahead of time.
You choose the start date yourself and can buy the vignette in advance. Validity periods for 2026:
You can set the start date in the future (usually up to 30 days ahead) — handy if you're planning a trip in advance.
The vignette is required for cars and vans up to 3.5 tonnes on tolled dálnice. Exempt from payment:
Worth noting: the new ruling coalition has announced plans to end free travel for electric and hydrogen vehicles starting in 2027. The exemption still applies for 2026, but if you're planning a long trip next year, check the current rules on edalnice.gov.cz beforehand.
Driving on a tolled dálnice without a valid vignette is an offence, and you cannot pay for it retroactively. On the spot, a police or customs officer may issue a fine of up to 5,000 Kč, while administrative proceedings can result in fines up to 20,000 Kč. Abusing an exemption (for example, falsely claiming a discounted category) can lead to a fine of up to 100,000 Kč. Check current amounts, as penalties are periodically adjusted.
Keep in mind that the vignette doesn't replace mandatory car insurance (povinné ručení), a valid technical inspection (STK), or compliance with traffic rules — those are enforced and fined separately.
You can check payment status for free and without registration at edalnice.gov.cz: just enter the country of registration and license plate (SPZ) — the system will show whether a valid vignette exists and until when. No purchase confirmation is needed; only the license plate matters. The eDalnice app lets you save multiple vehicles and track validity for your entire fleet at once.
Not all motorways are tolled — some urban and bypass sections are free. Free stretches are marked on the road with a sign (a crossed-out blue sign reading "Konec placené dálnice"). An up-to-date map of tolled sections is available on the edalnice.gov.cz portal — check it if you're planning a short trip and want to avoid overpaying.
Yes. For vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes, the vignette is mandatory regardless of the country of registration. You enter the foreign plate number when purchasing on edalnice.gov.cz the same way as for a Czech one. For more details on driving in Czechia, see our guide on cars with Ukrainian license plates in Czechia.
No. Motorcycles in Czechia are exempt from the vignette and can use the dálnice for free.
No. The official eDalnice app is only for checking validity and setting reminders. You can buy an e-známka online via the edalnice.gov.cz portal, or offline at Česká pošta branches and EuroOil filling stations.
No, only on tolled sections of dálnice and expressways. You can drive on regular first- and second-class roads without a vignette.
From the start date you choose, not from January 1. The annual e-známka is valid for 365 days from that date.
Refunds are only possible in limited cases (for example, a technical error or the car being written off) and must be arranged through the system operator. Check the refund conditions on edalnice.gov.cz before submitting a request.
If you need help with registration, re-registering your car, or a disputed fine, local auto repair shops and lawyers from our service directory can help.
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