Hungarian motorists will no longer have to pay convenience fees when purchasing motorway toll stickers online, starting this September—a move that could save consumers around 2 billion forints per year. The announcement was made by State Secretary for Infocommunications at the Ministry of Energy Károly Balázs Solymár during an interview with M1 news channel.
Solymár explained that Hungary sells roughly 5 million motorway stickers online each year, with users previously paying an average of 400 forints in additional charges per purchase. While toll stickers have always been available without extra fees at petrol stations and other outlets, about 60 per cent of purchases are made through digital channels, where fees have been the highest.
‘The goal is to break price barriers and eliminate these hidden costs across the board,’ Solymár said. ‘Buying online should no longer be considered a “convenience” worthy of extra fees—digital is now the default.’
He emphasized that variable hidden costs are particularly harmful to consumers and noted that the online toll sticker system can remain sustainable even without convenience charges. The reform, he argued, will help clean up and rebalance the market: platforms offering a wide range of services will remain competitive, while those that exist solely to sell toll stickers at inflated prices—sometimes adding 1,000–2,000 forints per transaction—will likely disappear.
Currently, drivers can purchase e-vignettes through 35 different mobile platforms. Solymár added that similar changes are being considered for other services, such as mobile parking, with the government examining ways to gradually reduce or eliminate associated fees.
‘The convenience fee no longer reflects reality,’ he said. ‘Digital platforms are now the primary interface for these services, and the system must evolve.’
He believes the reform will strengthen legitimate digital service providers, discourage opportunistic or fraudulent actors, and ultimately benefit consumers. The removal of the surcharge is expected to significantly increase online toll sticker purchases from September.
Solymár also highlighted the launch of the Gigabit Hungary Programme, supported by 85 billion forints in government funding. The initiative aims to deliver high-speed internet access to 300,000 rural homes, businesses, and institutions, furthering Hungary’s digital transformation.
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