Belgium vignette guide
Liefkenshoek Tunnel Toll
Belgian motorways and most regional roads are toll-free for passenger cars and other vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes. The main exception for everyday car traffic is the Liefkenshoek Tunnel near Antwerp — a tolled route under the Scheldt river.
This page explains who pays, the official 2026 rates published by NV Tunnel Liefkenshoek, and how this existing tunnel toll differs from the separate planned digital road vignette for 2027.
Last updated: July 2026
Official 2026 toll rates
The table below reproduces the tariff schedule published by NV Tunnel Liefkenshoek for 2026. Category 1 covers vehicles up to 3 metres in height (24/7). Category 2 covers vehicles over 3 metres in height, with higher daytime rates between 06:01 and 21:59.
| Payment method | Category 1 (24/7) | Category 2 (22:00–06:00) | Category 2 (06:01–21:59) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teletol badge & OBU | €4.40 | €4.40 | €17.60 |
| Bank / fuel / credit card | €6.20 | €6.20 | €21.90 |
| Cash | €8.00 | €8.00 | €25.00 |
Rates are taken from the official Liefkenshoek Tunnel website for 2026. Prices may change — always confirm current tariffs before travelling.
Are Belgian motorways toll-free for cars?
Yes. For passenger cars, motorcycles and other vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight, there is no general motorway toll across Belgium today.
Heavy goods vehicles used for the transport of goods with a gross vehicle weight above 3.5 tonnes — and certain N1 vehicles with body code BC — are subject to a separate distance-based kilometer charge organised through Viapass. That HGV system is not required for ordinary passenger cars.
What is the Liefkenshoek Tunnel?
The Liefkenshoek Tunnel (Liefkenshoektunnel) is a road tunnel west of Antwerp connecting the left and right banks of the Scheldt. It is operated by NV Tunnel Liefkenshoek.
Unlike most Belgian motorways, using this tunnel incurs a usage fee. For many drivers it is a practical route through the Antwerp area; alternatives such as other river crossings may be available depending on your journey.
Vehicle categories and height
Tunnel tolls depend on vehicle height and payment method, not on nationality of registration.
- Category 1 — vehicles up to 3 m in height: one flat rate applies 24 hours a day
- Category 2 — vehicles over 3 m in height: lower overnight rate (22:00–06:00), higher daytime rate (06:01–21:59)
- Camper vans, vans and trucks that exceed 3 m in height fall into Category 2 even if they are passenger vehicles
How to pay
NV Tunnel Liefkenshoek accepts several payment methods. Teletol badge or OBU payment is the lowest rate; bank, fuel-station or credit card payment at automatic lanes is mid-tier; cash is the highest published rate.
Regular car users can subscribe to the Teletol system for smoother passage and invoicing. Heavy vehicles may use an OBU that can also cover the Belgian HGV kilometer charge where applicable — see Viapass for HGV rules.
- Teletol badge — subscription system for frequent car users (lowest car rates)
- Automatic card lanes — bank, fuel-station or credit card
- Cash — available at designated lanes
- OBU — used by many HGV operators; also accepted at the lowest rate at the tunnel
Truck tolls (Viapass) — separate from car tunnel toll
Belgium’s Viapass kilometer charge applies to goods vehicles above 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight (and qualifying N1/BC vehicles), not to ordinary passenger cars on the general road network.
Viapass is the interregional body that organises this charge across Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels. Toll collection is handled by accredited service providers — Satellic is one of six accredited OBU providers, not the sole operator.
If you drive a passenger car, you do not need a Viapass OBU for Belgian motorways. You only pay at tolled infrastructure such as the Liefkenshoek Tunnel when you use it.
Not the same as the planned 2027 Belgium vignette
Belgium is planning a new digital road vignette for passenger cars from May 2027. That future system would apply to motorways and regional roads and is separate from today’s Liefkenshoek Tunnel toll.
Until the vignette launches, car drivers should assume motorways remain toll-free except for specific tolled routes like this tunnel. See our Belgium vignette guide for planned 2027 rules.
Sources and official links
Always verify prices and payment options on the operator’s website before you travel.
- NV Tunnel Liefkenshoek — official rates and Teletol information: liefkenshoektunnel.be
- Viapass — official information on the Belgian HGV kilometer charge: viapass.be
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay toll on Belgian motorways in a normal car?
How much is the Liefkenshoek Tunnel for a normal car?
Why is the tunnel more expensive during the day for tall vehicles?
Do foreign-registered cars pay the same toll?
Is the Liefkenshoek Tunnel toll the same as the 2027 Belgium vignette?
Planned Belgium vignette (2027)
The future digital vignette for Belgian motorways and regional roads is a separate topic. See prices, requirements and the timeline on our main guide.
View Belgium vignette guide