Wallonia has ruled out exempting Luxembourg motorists from its future road toll scheme. From 1 May 2027, they will have to pay whenever they use a Belgian motorway or regional road, even if they only travel a few kilometres near the border.
A journey of just a few kilometres between Luxembourg and Arlon will cost the same as a journey across the whole of Belgium. The proximity of the border will not entitle travellers to any special arrangements. François Desquesnes, vice-president of the Walloon Government and minister for Mobility, has ruled this out regarding the exemption sought by Luxembourg. “Everyone must pay,” he summarises in an interview with L’Essentiel. The rule will therefore also apply to cross-border workers and motorists who are merely passing through Belgian territory briefly.
The Luxembourg government had officially asked Wallonia to consider the creation of an exempt border zone. It wished to safeguard local travel within a catchment area where residents cross the border daily to work, shop or access services. The Luxembourg delegation to the Benelux Interparliamentary Assembly had again considered this request on 28 September.
This approach has not swayed the Walloon position. The principle advocated by François Desquesnes is that anyone using the road network should contribute to its upkeep, regardless of where they live. The measure is aimed in particular at vehicles registered abroad, which currently use Belgian roads without contributing directly to their funding through regional vehicle tax.
Up to €100
The digital vignette is due to come into force simultaneously in Wallonia, Flanders and Brussels on 1 May 2027. A single registration will grant access to the road networks of the three Regions. The scheme will apply to cars, mixed-use vehicles and vans weighing less than 3.5 tonnes, whether registered in Belgium or abroad.
The announced annual charge is €100 for vehicles meeting at least the Euro 4 standard, €125 for Euro 0 to 3 models, and €90 for zero-emission vehicles. Occasional drivers will be able to purchase a vignette valid for 24 hours, ten days, one month or two months. For a Euro 4 vehicle or newer, these options will cost €9, €12, €19 and €30 respectively.
For a resident of Luxembourg who regularly travels to Arlon, Bastogne, Liège or Brussels, the annual vignette will, therefore, quickly become the most cost-effective option. Motorists who only occasionally travel through Belgium will be able to keep the cost down, but will not be able to avoid it altogether.
The checks will be based on automated number plate recognition by fixed or mobile cameras. An administrative fine of €70 will be imposed for the absence of a valid vignette, with the amount liable to be doubled or tripled in the event of a repeat offence. Motorbikes, tractors and coaches are exempt. Targeted exemptions are provided for certain public service operations, certain medical vehicles and certain people with disabilities, but not on a geographical basis.
However, the legal framework is not yet fully in place. The three Belgian Regions still need to formalise their agreement and have the necessary legislation adopted by their assemblies. The system will also have to comply with European rules on non-discrimination. Wallonia has, however, already adopted its legislation at first reading and is maintaining the target of 1 May 2027.
