The Flemish Government will require a mandatory road vignette for all vehicles on highways and regional roads starting May 1, 2027 [1].
This policy represents a significant shift in how road infrastructure is funded in Flanders. By linking costs to carbon output, the government aims to generate revenue for road maintenance while incentivizing the transition to lower-emission vehicles [5].
The system will apply to all drivers, including Belgian residents and foreign nationals [4]. Vehicles must display the vignette to legally use the regional road network and highways. The cost of the annual permit is tiered based on the vehicle's CO2 emissions profile.
Electric vehicles will be charged the lowest rate at €90 per year [2]. Cars that meet at least the Euro-4 standard will pay €100 per year [3]. The most polluting vehicles will be subject to the highest fee of €125 per year [2].
The Flemish Minister of Finance and Budget (N-VA) and the regional government are overseeing the rollout of the program [1]. While the primary goal is infrastructure funding, the tiered pricing creates a financial penalty for owners of high-emission cars.
Some reporting has suggested that diesel vehicles may hold a relative advantage under the new scheme [6]. However, government officials said that fees are based solely on CO2 emissions, with the highest-emitting cars paying the maximum rate [2].
Families or businesses with multiple vehicles will need to purchase a separate vignette for each car to remain compliant with the law [7].
“Electric vehicles will be charged the lowest rate at €90 per year.”
The introduction of the road vignette signals a move toward 'user-pays' infrastructure funding in Flanders. By utilizing a CO2-based pricing model, the government is integrating environmental policy directly into transport taxation. This may accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles in the region as the cost gap between clean and polluting cars becomes a recurring annual expense for drivers.
