If you're planning to visit Denmark, it's a must for both travelers and logistics companies to understand the Denmark toll regulations before entering the country. There are no Denmark highway tolls for passenger cars. Only drivers of lorries (trucks) pay tolls for using the country's motorways. However, those who plan to drive a standard vehicle in Denmark will have to be prepared to pay for tolls on some bridges.
We've put together this guide that will tell you everything you need to know about tolls in Denmark, from the road network and bridges to how to make toll payments, and frequently asked questions.
Tolls in Denmark
For vehicles weighing less than 12 tons such as standard passenger cars, the only toll roads in Denmark are the Øresund Bridge between Denmark and Sweden and the Storebaelt Bridge between the west and east of Denmark. Vehicles that weigh 12 tons or more such as trucks, must have a valid Eurovignette to use Danish roadways, paying the tolls in Denmark through an electronic payment system. This vignette can also be used to pay motorway tolls in Luxemburg, the Netherlands and Sweden.
While most motorways in Denmark can be used free of charge by passenger cars, toll fees are levied for certain bridges on Zealand Island. It is connected to Funen and Sprgo by the Storebaelt Bridge (also known as the Great Belt Bridge) and to Amager by several bridges in Copenhagen.
Danish Toll Regulations
There are no dedicated toll regulations for standard cars on Denmark's highways, only the bridges, as noted. Toll regulations for the Danish road network apply to vehicles weighing at least 12 tons.
On January 1, 2025, Denmark will transition from the Eurovignette system to a kilometer-based road tax for heavy goods vehicles. Trucks weighing 12 tons or more will be required to pay road tolls based on the distance they travel and their CO2 emissions.
It's important to adhere to all Denmark toll regulations. Bypassing the tolls without being fined isn't possible as there are either gates to go through or your vehicle's license plate will be automatically recorded. Those who attempt to avoid payment at Danish toll booths will have to pay the toll fees and a fine of approximately €80.
Road Network in Denmark
Denmark's roads have a total length of around 90,000 kilometers, of which roughly 75,000 kilometers are public roads with the remainder privately owned. The types of roads you may encounter include motorways, which primarily start with the letter E, although some have only a number. Open or rural roads are either named or numbered. The main tourist route is the circular Marguerite Route which covers approximately 3,500 kilometers, highlighting the country's historic sites, culturally significant places, and natural attractions.
Beginning January 1, 2025, the new toll system will be implemented on the majority of the state road network and certain sections of the municipal road network, covering approximately 10,900 kilometers. The Danish government plans to extend the road toll to the entire public road network, totaling about 75,000 kilometers, by January 1, 2028.
Major Danish Highways
The first highway in Denmark to open was the E47 in 1956. It was originally called Horsholmvejen but today it is known as Helsingormotorvejen.
Today, the major Danish highways include:
- E20 (running west-east)
- E39 (running north-south)
- E45 (running north-south)
- E47 (running north-south)
Maps, speed limits, and more in-depth details can be found here.
Bridge Tolls in Denmark
The Danish bridge tolls provide a means to raise revenue for maintaining and developing infrastructure in Denmark. For example, the Øresund Bridge building costs totaled approximately DKK 28 billion (over €3.75 billion) today. These costs, including interest, are solely repaid by users through bridge tolls.
Toll bridges in Denmark include the Öresund Bridge between Copenhagen and Malmö in Sweden, the Storebælt Bridge over the Great Belt, and the Crown Princess Mary's Bridge over the Roskilde Fjord. Keep in mind that the tolls apply to both foreign and Danish drivers. Fees are calculated for one-way journeys which means you may also have to pay tolls for the return trip.
Öresund Bridge Toll
Construction on the Öresund Bridge began in 1995 and was completed in 1999 with the official opening ceremonies held on July 1, 2000, led by Queen Margrethe II and King Carl XVI Gustaf. The bridge made it much easier for people and goods to travel between Denmark and Sweden, carrying approximately 60,000 drivers and their vehicles daily.
The cost to drive across the Öresund Bridge depends on the length of the vehicle, ranging from about €61 for a passenger vehicle up to 6 meters to approximately €214 for a van over 9 meters in length.
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Storebælt Bridge Toll
The Storebælt Link is made up of two parallel bridges and a tunnel, forming an 18-kilometer-long connection between the east and west in Denmark. Also known as the Great Belt Bridge, it connects Zealand and Sprogø islands. Completed in 1998, it's considered the most important traffic artery between the two regions. The connection replaced three ferry routes, although ferry transport is still provided across the waters between Langeland and Lolland, crossing the Kattegat.
The cost to cross depends on multiple factors such as the time of crossing and the type of vehicle. It ranges from about €20 for a motorcycle and €26 for a standard passenger car to €83 for a truck up to 10 meters long or a motorhome under 3.5 tons and over 6 meters long.
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Crown Princess Mary’s Bridge Toll
The Crown Princess Mary's Bridge was Denmark's first cantilevered bridge built since 1970. Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary of Denmark officially opened it on September 28, 2019. It replaced the 1935 bascule bridge, connecting Marbæk and Torslev Hage across Roskilde Fjord, aiming to improve traffic flow for the thousands who use it every day.
Motorcycles are exempt from tolls when crossing this bridge while vehicles up to 3.5 tons pay €1.62. Campervans over 3.5 tons pay €4.75.
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Vignette for Denmark
Environmental Badge for Danish Cities
While passenger vehicles don't have to be concerned about toll roads, there are Danish low emission zones (LEZs) that are important to be aware of. There are no Danish emission stickers, vignettes, or environmental badges needed but you will need to register to enter Denmark's five environmental zones. Referred to as miljozones, they are located in the following cities:
- Copenhagen
- Frederiksberg
- Odense
- Aarhus
- Aalborg
Ecostickers were introduced in 2011, however, this system was replaced by digital registration in 2020. The most convenient way to register is to purchase registration at Tollwayr at a cost of €19.95 per vehicle.
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Tolls For Lorries
There is no traditional vignette in Denmark for toll payments. Instead, all vehicles that weigh at least 12 tons such as lorries, must have a valid Eurovignette to use Danish motorways and expressways through the end of 2024. From January 1, 2025, Eurovignettes will no longer be needed as Denmark will change from this system to a kilometer-based road tax, as mentioned previously.
Currently, the toll price depends on factors such as the vehicle's emission class, the number of axles, and the validity period (daily, weekly, monthly, or annual). The fees to use Denmark's roads ensure that socio-economic costs are covered, such as air pollution, the wear on infrastructure, noise, and contributions to traffic congestion.
Eurovignette
The Eurovignettes mandatory for heavy goods vehicles can also be used in Sweden, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. With this electronic vignette, the license plate number of the vehicle is registered and automatic checkpoints on the motorways check for compliance. This eliminates the need to carry paper documents or to stop and pay tolls.
Payment Options for Danish Tolls
Payment can be made by credit card or cash at the bridge toll booths, or online. On the Crown Princess Mary's Bridge, the license plate number of the vehicle is recorded and an invoice is sent by post. Electronic payment options are also available, including Bizz from Brobizz A/S.
At the Storebælt Bridge, you'll see various lanes for card payers, cash payers, and those who use electronic transponders like BroBiz. It operates as a digital vignette using a wireless transmitter that allows drivers to pass through tollbooths without stopping. Available for purchase online, it is attached to the vehicle's windshield and can be used for automatic payment. Electronic payments are the quickest and most cost-effective.
Pay toll for the Öresund Bridge at Tollwayr
The easiest and quickest way to pay tolls at the Öresund Bridge is online at Tollwayr. Your vignette will be activated instantly following your order and the online ticket will be valid for 30 days from the date of purchase.
To process your order, we will need the following:
- Vehicle category
- Vehicle details such as the license plate number
- Number of trips
- Travel date
- Payment
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