The autobahn, the German highways, best known for the absence of speed limits, will be paid to use them. But, in fact, the bill will only be paid by foreign citizens who use it.
Germany remains one of the (rare) must-see places for speed junkies. Whether through green hell, the Nürburgring Nordschleife, one of the most legendary circuits on the planet, unique for its length, speed and difficulty, which attracts both enthusiasts and builders alike. Whether for its highways, the famous Autobahn, where, in some of them, the absence of speed limits still persists.
A reality to remain in the future, despite the pressure of environmental lobbies. The novelty is even the charge to use the Autobahn, but it will not be German citizens who pay for them, but foreign citizens who frequent them. The objective of this measure will be to contribute to the maintenance of this infrastructure, as announced by the German Transport Minister, Alexander Dobrindt.
Apparently, this is a pragmatic and geographical issue. Germany's central position means that it has borders with 9 countries. Citizens of these neighboring countries, despite living and paying taxes in their respective countries, often use the Autobahn, free of charge, for their travels.
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Alexander Dobrindt says that annually, foreign drivers make 170 million trips to or across the country. Despite protests from neighboring countries such as the Netherlands and Austria, the German Transport Minister announces that, with this measure, 2,500 million euros will be able to enter the German economy, contributing to the maintenance of its motorway network.
And how much will it cost to use the autobahn?
There are several models. For €10 we can enjoy the Autobahn for 10 days. Twenty euros guarantee 2 months of use and 100€ a year. In the latter case, €100 is the base price, as it is expected that it will rise depending on the size of the vehicle's engine, as well as its CO2 emissions and year of registration.
Although these measures are aimed at foreign drivers, German citizens will also pay the Autobahn, but the annual taxes they have to pay on their car will be reduced by an equivalent amount.