Germany Seeks to Implement Tourist Toll on Autobahn

Speedsters eager to take to Germany’s fast and furious autobahn may soon have to pay a toll to reach maximum speeds. German parliament is working on legislation that would impose what they call a “foreigner’s toll” that would apply to both visitors and locals who want to travel on the internationally famous roadway.

The fee would vary based on vehicle type and size (and how environmentally friendly it is), but tariff for German citizens would range €60–130 per year (or $65 to $140) while the short-term toll prices for visitors would cost between €2.50–25 euros, or $2.60 and $26, for a 10-day period.

Once imposed, the government hopes to pocket more than $540 million annually from tourists who take to the road, the bulk of which will go toward maintaining and improving the roadway. Drivers who do not pay the toll would risk being caught by electronic license plate scanners and charge with a hefty penalty fee.

The tax is drawing criticism from neighboring nations that find it discriminatory toward non-natives. Germany attempted to pass a similar law in 2015 but it was refuted by the European Commission. With recent amendments, German Parliament hopes to finally enact the fee by 2019.