Which Roads Are Covered by TollRo in Romania and How Road Charging Works in Europe

For a transport operator, determining that a vehicle is subject to TollRo is only the first part of the equation. The next question is just as important: which roads are subject to the charge?

From 1 October 2026, TollRo will apply within Romania’s SETRE domain to goods transport vehicles with an MTMA exceeding 3.5 tonnes that are subject to the new system.

The charge will be based on the distance travelled on the covered road network, and the rate also varies according to the road category.

For transport operators making international journeys, another distinction is also important: TollRo is Romania’s road charging system and does not automatically apply in other European countries. Once a vehicle leaves Romania, the road charging rules and systems of the countries it travels through apply.

What does Romania’s SETRE domain mean?

Law No. 226/2023 defines Romania’s SETRE domain as the national road network in Romania, subject to the exceptions expressly provided by law.

This domain includes the national road infrastructure covered by the electronic road charging system, where the distance travelled is used to calculate TollRo.

In practice, for vehicles subject to the system, what matters is no longer only whether they have the right to use the network for a certain period, but how many kilometres they actually travel on road sections subject to TollRo.

Does TollRo apply on motorways?

Yes.

Motorways are part of the road network covered by the new charging mechanism.

Moreover, the TollRo rate schedule establishes separate rates for motorways and expressways and for national roads.

The unit rate for motorways and expressways is higher than the rate applicable to national roads for the same vehicle category and EURO class.

What about expressways?

Expressways are also included in the system.

Under the TollRo rate schedule, motorways and expressways form the same rate category.

Is TollRo also charged on national roads?

Yes. TollRo is not a charge limited to motorways.

Romania’s SETRE domain also includes national roads, subject to the conditions established by law.

Separate unit rates apply to these road sections, and they are lower than those established for motorways and expressways.

Are any sections of national roads excluded?

Yes. An important aspect of the legal definition of Romania’s SETRE domain concerns sections of national roads that pass through certain localities.

Therefore, the fact that a road is classified as a national road does not automatically mean that every kilometre of that road falls within Romania’s SETRE domain.

What about county and local roads?

TollRo is regulated for the use of Romania’s national road network, within the limits of Romania’s SETRE domain.

County roads, communal roads and local streets do not become part of Romania’s SETRE domain as a result of the introduction of TollRo.

What matters is the distance travelled on road sections that fall within the scope of the system.

A route may include kilometres charged at different rates

A real-world journey may include several types of road infrastructure.

• a motorway section;
• a national road;
• a section excluded from the SETRE domain;
• a county road leading to the final destination.

In such a situation, TollRo should not be regarded as a single rate mechanically applied to the entire distance between point A and point B.

For the calculation, what matters is the distance travelled within Romania’s SETRE domain and the category of the road sections used.

Why does the road type matter for the TollRo cost?

The road category is one of the factors that determines the unit rate.

For example, for a Category III, EURO VI vehicle:

• motorway / expressway – 0.48 RON/km;
• national road – 0.24 RON/km.

Therefore, 100 km travelled on a motorway and 100 km travelled on a national road do not result in the same TollRo cost for this vehicle.

What happens when a truck leaves Romania?

Across Europe, both distance-based systems and other road charging mechanisms are used, depending on the country and vehicle category.

For an international journey, infrastructure costs must therefore be assessed country by country.

Is there a single road charging system in the European Union?

No.

The European Union establishes a common framework for how Member States may apply charges for the use of road infrastructure, but there is no single European road charge with the same name, rates and road network in every country.

The European directive on road infrastructure charging provides for two main mechanisms:

• distance-based charges (tolls);
• time-based charges (vignettes).

TollRo follows this European approach.

How does truck road charging work in other European countries?

For Romanian transport operators, distance-based charging is not a new concept when making international journeys.

Germany

Germany uses a road charging system for heavy vehicles administered through Toll Collect.

Vehicles with a technically permissible maximum laden mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes that are intended or used for the carriage of goods by road fall within the scope of the charge.

The charge is distance-based and applies on motorways and federal roads included in the tolled network.

Austria

Austria uses the GO toll system for vehicles with a technically permissible maximum laden mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes.

The charge is calculated according to the distance travelled on tolled road sections and may depend on the number of axles, emission class, CO₂ emission class and road section.

Hungary

Hungary uses the HU-GO electronic system for distance-based charging of vehicles covered by national legislation.

For vehicles with a maximum authorised mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes that fall within the system, the charge applies on tolled sections of motorways, expressways and main roads.

Romania is moving towards a model already used in Europe

The introduction of TollRo moves road charging for goods transport vehicles exceeding 3.5 tonnes from a time-based model to one in which the distance travelled becomes the central element of the calculation.

However, the specific rules differ from one country to another:

• the tolled road network may differ;
• weight thresholds may be defined differently;
• vehicle categories are not identical;
• emission criteria may vary;
• rates are set at national level;
• declaration and payment methods may differ.

What is SETRE and why does it matter for international transport?

SETRE is the European Electronic Toll Service, known at European level as EETS.

Its purpose is to facilitate interoperability between electronic road charging systems in participating European countries.

Each country retains its own tolled roads, vehicle categories, rates, rules and exemptions.

For Romania, the application of the provisions concerning STRR interoperability through SETRE is established, according to Law No. 103/2026, from 15 January 2027.

What should be checked before an international journey?

For each country travelled through, it is useful to check:

• the vehicle category;
• the relevant vehicle mass under that system;
• the number of axles, where used as a criterion;
• the emission class;
• the CO₂ emission class, where applicable;
• the tolled roads;
• the declaration and payment method.

In short: where does TollRo apply?

Want to see the rate for each road type?

Not sure whether your vehicle is subject to TollRo?

Complete TollRo 2026 Guide

Official sources

• Law No. 226/2023 – updated version
• Law No. 103/2026
• Order No. 1,925/2025 on TollRo rates
• European Commission – Road charging
• Toll Collect – Germany
• GO toll – Austria
• HU-GO – Hungary

The information is provided for informational purposes and reflects the legislative framework and official information available as of 31 August 2026. The rules and rates applicable in Romania and other European countries may change, so it is advisable to check the conditions in force before making a journey.