Belgium to introduce road tax, even for transiting drivers

AFP | Brussels

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Belgium’s three regions announced yesterday they would introduce next year a road tax that foreign drivers transiting the country would also have to pay.

The country does not currently charge drivers to use its highways and the issue of introducing some form of payment has been debated for years.

“Everyone who uses our roads must contribute fairly to their maintenance,” said the transport minister for the Wallonia region, Francois Desquesnes.

Starting on May 1, 2027 drivers will need to register their vehicle and pay the road tax, with day passes available for drivers driving across the country.

An annual pass for a zero-emission car will cost 90 euros ($103), and up to 125 euros for higher-polluting vehicles. Road cameras that catch cars that haven’t paid for a pass will incur a fine of 70 euros.