Irish hauliers delivering to Denmark or travelling through the country on Scandinavian routes need to factor kilometre-based road tolls into their transport costs—and watch a proposed extension to lighter trucks in 2027.

Denmark introduced its KmToll system on 1 January 2025, replacing the Eurovignette with a charge linked to distance travelled and the vehicle’s CO₂ emissions class. The scheme currently applies to freight vehicles with a technically permissible maximum weight of 12 tonnes or more, including Irish-registered trucks. vejafgifter.dk

Extension proposed for January 2027

The next planned step is to bring freight vehicles over 3.5 tonnes into the system from 5 January 2027.

However, Denmark’s official toll website states that this extension remains subject to the Danish Parliament passing the necessary legislation. Operators running lighter commercial vehicles should monitor that decision when pricing work for next year. vejafgifter.dk

The existing scheme covers approximately 10,900km of roads, including much of the state road network and selected municipal roads. The Danish government also intends to extend charging to the entire public road network—approximately 75,000km—from January 2028. vejafgifter.dk

What does it cost?

Charges depend on the vehicle’s weight category, CO₂ emissions class and whether the journey enters a designated low-emission zone.

Published rates for CO₂ class 1 vehicles are:

The low-emission-zone surcharge applies in designated areas of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Odense, Aarhus and Aalborg. Lower rates apply to better CO₂ emissions classes.

For example, a vehicle correctly classified in the 18–32-tonne category and CO₂ class 1 would pay DKK 500 for 500 tolled kilometres outside low-emission zones.

Empty running attracts the same charge as loaded running, making return journeys and repositioning mileage relevant when calculating the cost of a job. No VAT applies to KmToll. www.vejafgifter.dk

Check the tractor unit’s weight

One detail deserves particular attention from operators running articulated vehicles.

Denmark determines toll liability and the weight band using the technically permissible maximum weight of the towing vehicle, recorded in field F.1 of its registration certificate.

Operators should therefore check the tractor unit’s documentation rather than automatically selecting the over-32-tonne category based on the maximum weight of the complete combination. vejafgifter.dk

The CO₂ classification also requires care. It is based on vehicle-specific emissions information, so a Euro VI designation alone does not establish the appropriate CO₂ toll class. Foreign operators must provide the relevant information through their toll provider or when purchasing a ticket. vejafgifter.dk

Arrange payment before travelling

Operators can pay through a provider offering compatible satellite-based equipment or an app. Alternatively, they can purchase a digital KmToll ticket before driving on tolled roads.

Hauliers already using an electronic toll box elsewhere in Europe should confirm with their provider that Danish coverage is activated. vejafgifter.dk

Automatic number plate recognition checks both Danish and foreign vehicles against payment records. Failure to pay the correct toll can result in a fine, assessed according to the individual offence. vejafgifter.dk

Bridge costs also need a separate allowance. The Storebælt and Øresund crossings retain their own charges, although KmToll does not apply on the bridges themselves. vejafgifter.dk

For Irish hauliers quoting Danish or Scandinavian work, the immediate task is to check each vehicle’s weight and CO₂ classification, confirm payment arrangements and include all tolled mileage in the quotation. Operators using trucks between 3.5 and 12 tonnes should also watch for confirmation of the proposed January 2027 extension.