Belgium is set to implement a new road tax starting May 1, 2027, that will apply to all motorists, including foreign drivers passing through the country. The move follows years of debate regarding the introduction of a payment system for the nation’s highways, which are currently toll-free.
François Desquesnes, the transport minister for the Wallonia region, emphasized that everyone utilizing the country’s roads should contribute fairly to their upkeep. Responsibility for the maintenance of motorways and roads in Belgium lies with the individual regions, and the revenue generated from this new tax is intended to fund the operation and maintenance of the existing road network.
Under the proposed system, drivers will be required to register their vehicles to pay the tax, with options available for day passes for those transiting through the country. Pricing will vary based on vehicle emissions, with annual passes costing €90 for zero-emission cars and up to €125 for vehicles identified as higher polluters. Automated road cameras will be utilized to identify non-compliant vehicles, with a fine of €70 imposed on drivers who fail to pay for a pass.
While the proposal has been announced, it remains subject to final approval from both the regional authorities and European officials. According to the chairman of the liberal-conservative MR party, the government intends to offset the new toll by lowering other taxes for Belgians.
Belgium's three regions announced on Friday that they would introduce a road tax next year that foreign drivers transiting the country would also have to pay.
