Drivers in the Czech Republic have just a month left to purchase the cheaper highway toll sticker, as most changes within the government’s consolidation package came into effect at the start of the New Year. However, the cost of highway tolls will only increase from March 1st. While drivers will pay less for thirty-day and ten-day tolls, the annual ones will become significantly more expensive. The option to purchase a single-day toll will also be introduced.
As of March 1st, 2024, a thirty-day highway toll will be 10 crowns cheaper, costing drivers 430 Kč. The discount amounts to 40 Kč for a ten-day toll, bringing the new price to 270 Kč. The new one-day toll will cost 200 Kč and will be valid until midnight of the day it was purchased.
However, the slight reduction in price for short-term tolls is overshadowed by the increase in the annual toll cost, which can currently be purchased for 1500 Kč. This price will last until February 29th, after which the new price of 2300 Kč, an increase of 800 Kč, will take effect.
The government justifies this step by stating that the toll price has not changed for 12 years. Over this period, the real value of fees has fallen due to inflation, and the highway network has expanded. It spans 1365 kilometers, with plans to add another 118 kilometers this year.
In connection with the new price, it is important to note that there has also been a change in advanced purchase. Until last year, drivers could buy a toll three months before its validity began; this year, this period has been reduced to just one month.