Riding in Europe: the rules country by country
Vignettes, tolls, kit, speed limits, filtering and the roads that close to bikes: what changes each time you cross a border, and where to check it before you ride.
France
Riding a motorbike in France: the rules visiting riders need
Riding a motorbike in France: the gloves and helmet-reflector rules, hi-vis, motorway tolls for motorcycles, the new lane-filtering rules, speed limits and Crit’Air zones.
Germany
Motorcycle touring in Germany: the rules that matter
Riding a motorbike in Germany: no motorway toll, no emission sticker for bikes, Autobahn speeds, why filtering is out, and the weekend closures at Schauinsland and Kesselberg.
Austria
Riding in Austria: vignette, tolls and the Tyrol noise ban
Riding a motorbike in Austria: which motorcycle vignette to buy, the 18-day wait on online annual vignettes, Brenner and Tauern tolls, the Tyrol noise ban and speed limits.
Switzerland
Riding in Switzerland: vignette, speed and the passes
Riding in Switzerland: the Swiss vignette for motorcycles (annual only, e-vignette valid at once), speed limits, why filtering is out, and when the high passes open.
Italy
Riding in Italy: tolls, ZTLs and the rules on the road
Riding a motorbike in Italy: how autostrada tolls work for motorcycles, ZTL camera zones, speed limits and Tutor cameras, small-bike motorway rules and Dolomites pass closures.
Spain
Riding in Spain: tolls, limits and the rules for bikes
Riding in Spain: which motorways charge tolls, speed limits, the hard-shoulder rule for motorcycles in jams, city low-emission zones and the best roads in the north.
Belgium
Riding in Belgium: filtering, speed limits and city zones
Riding in Belgium: filtering is legal up to 50 km/h, different speed limits in Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels, low-emission zones, and the best route into the Ardennes.
Netherlands
Riding in the Netherlands: what visiting riders need to know
Riding in the Netherlands: the 100 km/h daytime motorway limit, the toll tunnels, city environmental zones, and the routes from the Dutch ferry ports to the hills next door.
United Kingdom
Riding in the UK: a guide for riders from mainland Europe
Riding in the UK from mainland Europe: riding on the left, speed limits in mph with km/h, legal filtering, London ULEZ for motorcycles, the ETA and the best roads in Wales, the Lakes and Scotland.
Ireland
Riding in Ireland: rules, tolls and getting there
Riding in Ireland: ride on the left, speed limits in km/h with mph, the M50 toll (motorcycles exempt), ferries from Britain and the Wild Atlantic Way.
Tolls and filtering at a glance
| Country | Tolls and vignettes | Lane filtering |
|---|---|---|
| France | Autoroute tolls; bikes pay the lower class 5 rate | Allowed on set roads, max 50 km/h |
| Germany | None (two toll tunnels in the north) | Not allowed |
| Austria | Motorcycle vignette plus section tolls | Check the current rules; keep the emergency corridor clear |
| Switzerland | Annual vignette only | Not allowed |
| Italy | Autostrada tolls at the car rate | Check the current rules |
| Spain | Only on AP autopistas | Not between lanes; signed hard shoulders only |
| Belgium | No vignette; Liefkenshoek tunnel toll in Antwerp | Allowed, max 50 km/h and +20 km/h |
| Netherlands | No vignette; a few toll tunnels | Check the current rules |
| United Kingdom | No vignette; London ULEZ for pre-Euro 3 bikes | Legal, with care |
| Ireland | No vignette; M50 free for bikes | Check the current rules |
Riding in Europe: questions
Which European countries need a motorway vignette for motorcycles?
Of the countries covered here, Austria and Switzerland. Austria sells a motorcycle vignette for 1 day, 10 days, 2 months or a year; Switzerland sells only an annual vignette.
Where in Europe is lane filtering legal for motorcycles?
Belgium allows filtering at up to 50 km/h and no more than 20 km/h faster than traffic. France allows it on divided roads in dense traffic at up to 50 km/h. The UK allows it when done with care. Germany, Switzerland and Spain do not allow riding between lanes.
Which country has special kit rules for motorcyclists?
France. Rider and passenger must wear CE-marked gloves, the helmet must carry four reflective stickers, and you must carry a hi-vis vest and wear it if you stop in an emergency.
Do motorcycles need an emission sticker in European cities?
In France, yes: motorcycles need a Crit’Air sticker in low-emission zones, including foreign bikes. In Germany, motorcycles are exempt from the Umweltzone sticker. Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands and London run their own zones with their own rules.
Rules change; check the official source named on each country page before you ride. Planning the route? Browse our route guides →