Directive 1999/62/EC (the “Eurovignette Directive”) lays down common rules for the charging of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) for the use of certain road infrastructures within the European Union. It establishes the framework under which Member States may apply time-based user charges (vignettes) and/or distance-based tolls.

The Directive has been amended several times:
Directive 2006/38/EC introduced the possibility for Member States to differentiate tolls according to vehicle emission class (Euro standards) and time of day, and strengthened the application of the “user pays” and “polluter pays” principles.
Directive 2011/76/EU further integrated environmental considerations by allowing the inclusion of external cost charges related to air pollution and noise, and refined rules on earmarking revenues for transport infrastructure and sustainable mobility projects.
Directive (EU) 2025/2459 updated the framework in line with the EU’s climate objectives, further strengthening the differentiation of charges based on CO2 emissions performance and supporting the transition towards zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles, while aligning the Directive with the broader Fit for 55 legislative architecture.