The Majority of Italian Highways Operate Under Concession Agreements

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Toll Payments in Italy and Europe: An Overview

Paying tolls while traveling on highways is the norm in Italy.
However, throughout the rest of Europe, this practice is more of an exception.
The number of EU countries that require toll payments at highway toll booths is relatively small, and in almost all of these cases, the costs tend to be lower compared to Italy.

Italy boasts one of the largest networks of tolled highways, with approximately 6,000 kilometers out of 7,000 kilometers (over 86%) managed under concession, meaning direct toll payments are the rule.
For comparison, in France, which has a highway network quite similar to that of Italy, about 77% of the network is under concession.
In Spain, the system differs slightly, with only 1,435 kilometers (12%) of its more than 12,000 kilometers of high-capacity roads being tolled “autopistas.” Germany, on the other hand, operates a publicly managed highway system without tolls.

New Developments in Toll Payments

The topic of toll payments is frequently in the spotlight.
For instance, on the Naples bypass, a pilot program called TargaGO is underway, utilizing a system of cameras that reads vehicle license plates to automatically process toll payments linked to a designated bank account.
Furthermore, recent announcements by the Ministry of Transport indicate that the new competition bill will change concession regulations starting in 2025, allowing a portion of toll revenues to go to the state instead of private concession operators.

Among the 27 EU countries, only eight—including Italy—require toll payments, which is less than one-third of the total.
Nine countries, including Italy’s neighbors Austria and Slovenia, operate with a highway vignette system, which is a mandatory sticker for road use.
Additionally, in five countries, tolls are charged only for certain bridges or tunnels, while Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Luxembourg, and Malta do not have any tolls.

Comparative Toll Costs in Europe

Tolls in France and Italy are among the highest.
For instance, a trip on the A1 from Milan to Rome (about 600 kilometers) can cost around 47 euros in tolls, while a similar trip in France from Paris to Bordeaux, also around 600 kilometers, can exceed 60 euros.
However, toll costs can vary significantly depending on the route.
A trip of 300 kilometers from Paris to Calais may cost less than 25 euros, which is quite comparable to the estimated toll for a Similar 300-kilometer journey from Milan to Florence (approximately 24 euros).

Revenue from Tolls and Future Expectations

With various tolls, additional fees, and VAT, Italian highways generate over 8 billion euros in toll revenue annually.
Autostrade per l’Italia, managing nearly 3,000 kilometers of the highway network, is the leading concessionaire in Italy and among the top in Europe.
In 2023, it reported revenues exceeding 4.3 billion euros, with tolls accounting for over 3.8 billion euros—an increase of 129 million euros compared to 2022, driven by rising traffic and a 1.6% hike in toll rates.

For further details, please check the [Ministry of Transport](https://www.mit.gov.it/) for more information on upcoming regulations.

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