Annual vignettes are no longer being sold as of July 1
In preparation for the launch of the Via Toll system, as of July 1, it will no longer be possible to purchase annual electronic vignettes in Lithuania. Following the Seimas’ approval of legislative amendments, until the end of 2026, road users will be able to pay the road user fee by purchasing electronic vignettes valid for a day, a week, or a month.
This change is one of the steps in preparing for the new Via Toll electronic toll collection system. Starting January 1, 2027, the new system will go into effect in Lithuania, calculating the road user fee based on the actual distance traveled. It will replace the current vignette model, under which users pay for a selected period of road use.
“Lithuania is adopting a fair road-use toll system that is already widely used in Europe – users will pay based on the actual distance traveled and the impact their vehicles have on the environment and infrastructure. Most importantly, the funds collected will be reinvested where they are needed most – back into Lithuania’s roads,” says Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Dovilė Sujetaitė.
“As the launch of the Via Toll system approaches, we invite vehicle owners and drivers to carefully consider the validity period of the vignettes they purchase. It is important to know that all vignettes purchased at this time will automatically expire on January 1, 2027, when the new system goes into effect. Although compensation will be provided for the unused portion of annual vignettes, to avoid additional administrative procedures and inconvenience, we recommend choosing vignettes valid no later than the end of 2026,” says Martynas Gedaminskas, CEO of Via Lietuva.
He notes that refunds for unused parts of the road user fee will be issued only for annual electronic vignettes. Applications for reimbursement for the unused portion of an annual electronic vignette’s validity period may be submitted starting in early 2027. The application form, the procedure for granting compensation, and other relevant information will be published on the website www.vialietuva.lt.
The new Via Toll system will calculate the road user fee based on the actual distance traveled – operators of vehicles in categories M2, M3, N1, N2, and N3 will pay tolls only for their actual use of toll highways and regional roads. Traffic from these vehicle categories has the greatest impact on road infrastructure wear and tear, so the new system will help distribute road maintenance and renovation costs more equitably. This regulation will not apply to owners of passenger cars.
Although the method for calculating road user tolls will change, the principles for determining them remain the same as those used to set the price of a vignette – the vehicle’s weight, emission class, and type of fuel used are taken into account. The aim is to assess the vehicle’s impact on the environment and road infrastructure as accurately and proportionally as possible.
It is estimated that changing the road toll calculation method through the Via Toll system will generate approximately 110 million euros annually; however, it is noted that the road toll rates to be implemented in Lithuania will be among the lowest in Europe. Operators of certain vehicles will continue to be eligible for the current exemptions.