Croatia says goodbye to traditional toll booths: Starting in March 2027, tolls on Croatian highways will be collected exclusively digitally. With the introduction of the "Crolibertas" system and state-of-the-art license plate recognition cameras, the holiday destination aims to significantly ease travel – a major innovation for millions of vacationers and travelers who regularly head to the Dalmatian coast.

The most important things at a glance

• As of March 1, 2027, a digital system will replace the existing toll booths in Croatia.
• 212 toll booths with 1744 cameras will automatically capture every vehicle in the future.
• The options are license plate registration for cars/motorcycles and a mandatory toll box for vehicles over 3.5 tons.
• The gradual introduction will begin as early as September 2026, starting on the A3 Zagreb–Lipovac.
• Until the end of February 2027, the old payment system will remain in place on most routes.

Unrestricted travel on Croatia's highways

Those traveling south in the summer usually think of sun, sea, and relaxing sandy beaches – not endless traffic jams and frantic searches for cash at toll booths. However, these scenes will soon be a thing of the past for travelers in Croatia. With the new digital toll system "Crolibertas," the country is installing 212 portals with around 1,744 cameras on the highways that capture vehicles through automatic license plate recognition – and all without stopping. Billing is based on the distance traveled and is done directly via a previously stored payment method.

For cars and motorcycles, it will be sufficient to register the license plate online before starting the journey and, if desired, link it to a credit card or bank account. Spontaneous travelers can register at specially designated fast registration lanes on the highways and choose a payment method there. Those driving a motorhome or a van over 3.5 tons must use an electronic toll device, known as the ENC, which will be mandatory for heavy vehicles.

Travel service without waiting: How the holiday journey is changing

The introduction of digital tolls brings enormous advantages, especially during the busy summer months. Currently, existing toll stations cause kilometers of traffic jams during peak times – according to official statements, new systems can significantly reduce travel time and thereby lower the risk of accidents as well as CO₂ emissions. The new system is based on the successful Italian and Portuguese models, which should be familiar to vacationers from previous years. A transition period remains: until the end of February 2027, most toll stations will operate alongside the new portal network. The switch will begin in autumn 2026 on the A3, which is particularly relevant for travelers from Austria and Germany.

"Our priority is to significantly reduce traffic jams and waiting times and to create a modern travel experience for the peak season," clarifies Croatian Minister of Transport Oleg Butković.

Background to the modernization and a look at Austria

Croatia is following a European trend with its reform. After France and Portugal, the country is the first in Southeast Europe to fully switch to digital solutions. The move is also economically significant: In 2023, over 19 million tourists traveled on the Croatian highway network, mainly from Germany, Austria, Italy, and the Czech Republic, according to ADAC. Austria is also modernizing its system in parallel: Starting in February 2027, the adhesive vignette will be abolished, and the new digital vignette can only be purchased online or at machines.

Thus, further travel facilitation for Central Europeans who want to head south is on the horizon.

What travelers should consider now

The complete transition in Croatia will take place after a testing phase. The platforms for license plate registration and toll box ordering will be made available in due time. Those traveling through Croatia in the summer of 2026 will still use the familiar system on most routes – a short-term transition is not expected to affect the first drivers on the A3 until autumn.

With the digitization of tolls, Croatia is ushering in a new era for traveling in Southeast Europe – and is gradually eliminating the most fundamental hurdle on the way to the Adriatic: stopping at the toll booth.