Czech Republic to Open 39 km of New Motorways in 2026, but Vignette Prices Will Rise

The Czech motorway authority ŘSD has unveiled its 2026 construction timetable, confirming that 39.2 kilometres of new motorway will open next year, most of it in the fourth quarter. Key completions include 13.2 kilometres of the D35 between Ostrov and Vysoké Mýto (including the Homole Tunnel) and the Kaplice nádraží–Nažidla stretch of the D3 linking Prague to Austria.

Better road connectivity is good news for corporate mobility programmes that rely on rental cars and trucking. The new sections should shave up to 20 minutes off transit times on the D35 freight corridor and relieve chronic congestion on the D3, a key route for Czech-Austrian trade flows. ŘSD also plans to break ground on 111.4 kilometres of additional motorway projects in 2026, signalling long-term capacity improvements.



The flip side is higher cost. From January 2026 the annual electronic vignette for passenger cars will rise by CZK 130 to CZK 2 570, with proportional increases for monthly, ten-day and newly introduced one-day passes. Employers that reimburse staff travel will need to adjust budgets and update travel-policy guidance.

Logistics providers are largely supportive of the expansion but warn that construction-site traffic management could create temporary bottlenecks. Companies with time-critical shipments are advised to monitor work-zone schedules and consider rail alternatives where feasible.

For expatriates and frequent business travellers, the message is mixed: expect smoother inter-city drives by late 2026, but buy vignettes early—up to 30 days in advance via edalnice.cz—to avoid last-minute price hikes or fines.