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Mobility and Transport

Technical rules on electronic tolling

Electronic toll systems can offer the possibility of charging road vehicles in a flexible way and allow targeted infrastructure charging policies. However, it is essential for such systems to be interoperable, also across national borders, to avoid creating new obstacles to traffic flow in Europe.

Directive 2004/52/EC lays down the conditions for the interoperability of electronic road toll systems in the European Union. Interoperability shall enable road users to circulate throughout the EU without having to be concerned by different charging procedures and without having to install equipment specific to the different charging zones, so that paying charges would be a seamless operation.

The Directive also foresees a European Electronic Toll Service (EETS), by which road users can subscribe a single contract with one EETS provider and, using a single on-board unit, pay tolls electronically throughout the whole EU. The main purpose of the EETS is to make EETS available on all electronically tolled infrastructures in the entire EU and, by limiting cash transactions at toll stations, to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion.

The Commission decision which defined the specifications of EETS entered into force in October 2009. Within three years EETS has to be available for vehicles above 3.5 tonnes and/or allowed to carry more than nine passengers (including the driver), and within five years for all other categories of vehicles. The Commission is preparing a report on the implementation of EETS.

Legislation

Directive (EU) 2019/520 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 March 2019 on the interoperability of electronic road toll systems and facilitating cross-border exchange of information on the failure to pay road fees in the Union (recast)

Directive 2004/52/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the interoperability of electronic road toll systems in the Community (see also the corrigenda)

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/204 of 28 November 2019 on detailed obligations of European Electronic Toll Service providers, minimum content of the European Electronic Toll Service domain statement, electronic interfaces, requirements for interoperability constituents and repealing Decision 2009/750/EC

Commission Decision 2009/750/EC of 6 October 2009 on the definition of the European Electronic Toll Service and its technical element

Links

Electronic Pricing and Payment