Tolls in Italy



Everything you need to know about toll charges in Italy




Tolls in Italy: Information at a glance

A toll is payable on most Italian motorways.

  • Expressways are not subject to tolls.
  • Some tunnels are subject to tolls.
  • Access to restricted traffic zones (ZTL) in the city centres of Milan, Bologna and Palermo is subject to a charge.
  • In principle, two-axle vehicles are subject to tolls in Italy. This applies to cars, motorcycles, motorhomes and trucks.

Bild Autobahn und Landkarte Italien

☛ How much do I have to pay in Italy?

In Italy, tolls on all motorways average 7 cents per kilometre (as of 2024). Only the A2 from Salerno to Reggio di Calabria is not subject to tolls. In Sicily, tolls only have to be paid on the A20 motorway between Messina and Palermo and the A18 from Messina to Catania.

Vehicle classes


Tolls in Italy are based on the vehicle class, which is determined by the number of axles of the vehicle including trailer. For vehicles with two axles, there is an additional subdivision according to the height of the first axle up to 1.3 metres and over 1.3 metres. Tolls are due at each toll station and are divided into the following categories:

Category A – 2 Assi: Motorcycles and vehicles with 2 axles up to 1.3 meters in height at the front axle.


Category B – 2 Assi: motor homes and vehicles with 2 axles over 1.3 m high at the front axle.


Category 3 – 3 Assi: Vehicles with 3 axles.


Category 4 – 4 Assi: Vehicles with 4 axles.


Category 5 – 5 o piú Assi: Vehicles with 5 axles or more.

Toll stations in Italy

Toll costs in Italy vary depending on the route, paid in a closed or open system. There is also a purely electronic free flow system, where direct payment at stations is not possible. In both the closed and open and free flow systems, our toll box can be used for a quick and convenient journey.

Closed system

Most toll booths in Italy operate on the closed system. Here, the driver has to take a ticket when entering and pay the toll cost when leaving the motorway.

The toll cost is calculated based on the number of kilometres driven. If the ticket is lost, a penalty fee is charged and the highest possible amount is payable at the exit station. The yellow lanes may only be used by drivers with a toll box.

Open system

In the open system, a flat fee is charged per toll booth. This variant is usually used in conurbations such as Milan. The following routes belong to this system:

  • A9 Como - Milan
  • A8 Varese - Milan
  • A5 Mont Blanc - Aosta
  • A32 Frejus Tunnel - Turin
  • A12 Rom - Civitaveccia
  • A56 Neapel - Pozzuoli
  • A3 Neapel - Salerono

Free Flow-System

Partially, there are also Free Flow systems. All vehicles are electronically scanned and the number plates are automatically registered. This includes the following routes:

• A36 Connection point Lomazzo until Lentate sul Seveso
• A59 Tangenziale di Como
• A60 Tangenziale di Varese

Learn more about the tolls in SpainPortugal and France!

Various toll calculators can be found online to help you estimate the costs in advance of your journey and calculate the toll costs for Italy. There are also overviews of the individual toll roads in Italy on the Internet.


Travel advice: From the beginning of 2025, there may be traffic delays and congestion on the Brenner motorway due to renovation work on the Lueg Bridge. Find out more in our blog article: Brenner motorway construction site - The Lueg bridge on the Brenner will probably only be open to one lane from 2025




☛ Do I have to pay tolls on all motorways in Italy?

Tolls are payable on almost all Italian motorways, with the exception of the A3 from Salerno to Reggio di Calabria, which is not subject to tolls.

In Sicily, only the A20 between Messina and Palermo and the A18 from Messina to Catania are subject to tolls.

Payment options for toll costs in Italy

Cash/credit/debit card

Cash payment is possible at all toll stations in Italy. The most common credit cards and bank card (Maestro or V PAY symbol) are also often accepted.

Viacard

The Viacard is a credit card for the toll and is available at rest stops and Punto blu stations. The toll costs are debited from the Viacard, which can be used everywhere. Exceptions: The four stations on the A18 between Messina and Catania (Roccalumera, Taormina, Giardini di Naxos and Fiumefreddo).

If you run out of credit on the card, you can use two more Viacards. Otherwise, you will receive a receipt with the remaining amount, which you can pay at the next counter. Cash or card payment is only possible in staffed lanes.

Automatic payment with toll box

The easiest and fastest payment option is the toll box, also called Telepass. This allows you to drive on the yellow marked lanes (T symbol) without cash and without stopping. The toll is paid directly with the toll device during the journey. The toll box can be used for all vehicles regardless of height and weight. It can also be used in France, Spain and Portugal and for large motorhomes also in Austria.

Free Flow System

On the A36, A59 and A60, tolls are collected using the Free Flow system, which does not allow direct payment at the station. Here, the vehicles are scanned electronically and the respective license plates are recorded automatically. Various payment options are available. Payment requires registration by entering the vehicle registration number online or in the "Pedemontana Lombarda" app, or even easier with the toll box. You do not have to pay attention to anything and can drive relaxed. The tolls are automatically billed correctly.

Payment options on the lanes


Lane: Yellow t

Description: This lane can only be used with a toll box.


Lane: Yellow lane

Description: Almost all lanes are marked with a yellow T symbol. These lanes can be used with a toll box.


Lane: Blue lane

Description: machines for credit cards or Viacard only.


Lane: White lane

Description: machines for cash, credit cards or Viacard.

☛ Attention!

Choose the correct lane at toll booths, because changing lanes by backing up or turning around is strictly prohibited. In the worst case, it is punishable by a fine of € 6,000 and possibly a driving ban of up to two years. If assistance is needed, appropriate buttons are available at the station.

Additional toll costs in Italy

Tunnels

There are additional toll costs for some tunnels and bridges.
Cost 2024 for a round trip in a car:

• Mont Blanc tunnel (Italy-France): € 68.60
• Fréjus tunnel (Italy-France): € 68.60
• Brenner (Italy-Austria): € 22.00
• Great Saint Bernard Tunnel (Italy-Switzerland): € 50.00
• Munt-la-Schera tunnel (Italy-Switzerland): €42,00 (Sun-Fri), € 50.00 (Sat)

You can find information on the planned multi-year renovation of the Mont Blanc Tunnel and on the considerations for a toll for the Gotthard tunnel in our blog article.

All prices without guarantee

City toll: Toll costs in the city

Planning a trip to an Italian city? Here are some additional costs you might have to pay. These Italian cities have introduced a city toll: Milan, Bologna and Palermo. Motorcycles and mopeds, vehicles for the transport of disabled persons or vehicles with an appropriate permit are exempt from this. The city toll cannot be paid via the toll box and must be paid separately. If you drive in these city centres, you must expect the following costs:

  • Milan: tolls are charged weekdays from 7.30am and 7.30pm, and range from €2 to €5 per day depending on the pollution class. There is also a choice of a day ticket for 5 euros and a multi-day ticket from 30 to 60 euros.
  • Bologna: The toll ticket is only required for the traffic-calmed zone in the city centre, which costs 6 euros per day. There is also a 4-day ticket for 15 euros.
  • Palermo: The city toll is payable from 8am to 8pm on weekdays and from 8am to 1pm on Saturdays. The daily ticket costs 5 euros and a monthly ticket 20 euros.
In our maut1.de blog you will find tips for city trips in Italy.

All prices without guarantee

FAQ about toll roads in Italy


Tolls are payable on almost all Italian motorways, with the exception of the A2 in the South of Italy from Salerno to Reggio di Calabria (until the end of 2016 still numbered A3), which is not subject to tolls. In Sicily, only the A20 between Messina and Palermo and the A18 from Messina to Catania are subject to tolls.

In Italy, tolls on all motorways average 7 cents per kilometre (as of 2024). Only the A2 from Salerno to Reggio di Calabria is not subject to tolls. In Sicily, tolls only have to be paid on the A20 motorway between Messina and Palermo and the A18 from Messina to Catania.

There are specially marked Telepass lanes at the toll stations. Travellers with a maut1.de Telepass toll box can pass through these lanes without stopping and payment is made automatically afterwards. Travellers who do not have a maut1.de Telepass toll box should take care not to accidentally enter such a lane, as no payment option other than the maut1.de Telepass toll box is available there. In this case, please do not turn round under any circumstances, but call for help by pressing the button in front of the barrier at the toll station. 

At the toll stations, it is also possible to pay either in cash or with a credit card. For customers who wish to pay by credit card, there are special lanes labelled "Carte". In addition to the credit card, a so-called Viacard can currently also be used. The Viacards will soon be discontinued, but they can currently still be purchased with a value of 25, 50 or 75 euros at all manned toll payment points (caselli di Autostrade per l'Italia con esattore), at the "Punto Blu" points on the motorway and in banks and tobacco shops. 

With the Viacard, which is currently still available, it is also possible to pay with staff at the cash payment points. Please ensure that there is sufficient credit on the Viacard when using the lane for card payers. In contrast to the lanes for cash payers, it is not possible to make up a missing amount with cash there.

The (yellow) Telepass lanes are intended exclusively for registered users of the maut1.de Telepass toll box, where the toll is automatically billed with a toll box. If you queue in a white lane at the toll stations, you can pay with cash, credit card or currently still with Viacard, whereas if you queue in a blue lane, you can only pay with credit cards, EC cards or the Viacard, which will soon be phased out. 

If you have got into the wrong lane and are unable to pay the toll, you should not turn back under any circumstances. Turning round or reversing at toll gates is punishable by a heavy fine. Instead, stop and press the help button in front of the barrier at the toll station. You will then receive a receipt from the machine ("Mancato pagamento") and must settle the payment within 15 days.

There are three different toll collection systems in Italy. In the familiar closed system, you drive to a toll station, take a ticket and then pay the toll costs based on the kilometres driven and the respective vehicle class when you leave the motorway. It is even easier with the maut1.de toll box: here you simply drive slowly through the toll station, the toll box makes contact by radio, registers the passage(s) and then, after approx. 4-6 weeks, all toll routes are automatically billed. 

In the open system, which is mainly used in urban centres to avoid traffic jams, a flat rate is charged at each toll station. These routes are part of the open toll system in Italy: A9: Como - Milan, A8: Varese - Milan, A5: Mont Blanc - Aosta, A32: Fréjus Tunnel - Turin, A12: Rome - Civitavecchia, A46: Naples - Pozzuoli and A3: Naples - Salerno. 

The FreeFlow model is a new type of toll system that has so far only been used on the A36 (near Milan), A59 and A60 motorways. It enables fully automatic registration of vehicles based on their licence plate number and vehicle category in order to avoid traffic jams at toll stations. To pay, you need to register by entering your licence plate number online or in the "Pedemontana Lombarda" app, or even more simply with the maut1.de toll box.

Tollbox in Italy – have a relaxed trip

With the toll box from maut1.de, you can avoid wasting time and stress - because you don't have to draw a ticket, but can drive through the Italian toll stations contactless. 

Do you have any further questions? You may find the answer to your question in our FAQ section or contact us via our contact form

We also offer solutions for other European countries:  FrancePortugalAustria, Spain and Croatia (without Istria). 

Additional travel information as well as further tips and advice from the maut1.de team for your next holiday can be found in our maut1.de blog.

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