European Toll Fees for Swiss Drivers - Methods of Payment Explained
Foreign Drivers Navigate Toll Roads with Ease: A Guide to Free-Flow Toll Systems
Traveling by car in Europe and beyond can come with its fair share of challenges, one of which is navigating toll roads. But fear not, for many countries have streamlined the process with the implementation of free-flow toll systems. Here's a breakdown of how these systems work in France, Indonesia, Israel, and Japan.
France: Certain motorways like the A79, A4, and A14 have transitioned to a barrier-free toll system with detection gates that scan vehicle number plates as cars pass under them. These are not free; tolls are charged automatically but without stopping at toll booths.
If you're a foreign driver without an electronic toll tag (Bip&Go), which is also valid in Spain, Portugal, and Italy, you'll need to register on the toll operator's website (Aliae for A79, SANEF for others) to pay online. Registration involves inputting your vehicle’s number plate and bank card details. After registration, the system automatically deducts toll expenses weekly from the linked bank account. Alternatively, payment can be made for individual trips within 72 hours by providing the plate number and payment details online before the toll notice arrives by mail.
Indonesia: All toll roads no longer have toll booths; since October 2017, tolls are collected exclusively through electronic payments using payment cards, creating a free-flow experience for all drivers, including foreigners.
Israel: Highway 6 is an all-electronic toll highway using cameras and transponders to automatically bill vehicles without toll booths, providing another example of a free-flow toll system.
Japan: Although not explicitly stated as free-flow tolling, Japan's toll system uses electronic systems. In an incident in 2025, the toll system outage revealed an online portal where drivers logged in and paid voluntarily afterward, showing an online billing method for foreign and domestic drivers.
While motorists in Switzerland can drive toll-free on most roads, except for a few mountain tunnels, anticipate heavy traffic and bottlenecks on the roads leading towards Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal, as toll booths are often encountered on the way to and from holiday destinations. Cameras are installed on many highway sections abroad to record each vehicle's license plate as it passes.
In Italy, foreign vehicles can be seized on the spot if you cannot pay a fine. Portugal has an extensive network of electronic toll stations, including A4, A8, A13, A17, A19, A24, A41/42. After traveling abroad, drivers may receive a bill in the mail for tolls. In Austria, you can pre-pay motorway tolls online to save time.
In summary, the free-flow toll systems eliminate the need to stop at toll barriers, thus smoothing traffic flow while ensuring toll collection through camera-based detection and online payment portals for foreign drivers without electronic tags. The European Car and Driving Licence Information System (Eucaris) shares data of all vehicle owners in Europe, making it easier for toll operators to track and bill foreign drivers.
Engaging in a cross-continental journey, it's essential to understand that toll roads can be seamlessly navigated with the assistance of free-flow toll systems. For instance, France employs detection gates to scan vehicle number plates, while Indonesia collects tolls exclusively through electronic payments. Similarly, Israel's Highway 6 and Japan's toll system utilize cameras and transponders for automatic billing, providing drivers with a hassle-free experience.
