German Tolls Update
I noticed that the proposed introduction of tolls for non German residents to use the autobahn has run into a snag. The European Courts have upheld an appeal from Austria saying that the proposal is anti EU as German residents would have received a rebate of the amount of annual charge in their vehicle taxation, thus effectively being discriminatory against the other EU countries' residents.
This toll was due to come into force sometime next year.
Germany has yet to respond. They may well take any punishment meted out, may scrap the toll, may still introduce it and force everyone to pay or in our case just force non EU residents and businesses that use it to pay.
Hope Lutz can keep us informed as and when decisions are taken.
Comments
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Back to the original question. I seem to recall Lutz mentioning that it was a condition of one party joining the Government in coalition that they demanded tolls on motorways. As this wouldn't wash with the German public they planned to reduce another tax for Germans which meant that only non German motorists would in effect pay the tolls. This is clearly against all the EU rules so I am not surprised the courts have come down on it. To add the the confusion there has been another election since the tolls were planned so I don't know if that changes the dynamics of the situation. I am sure Lutz will enlighten us!
David
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Yes, motorway tolls in Germany are off the books. The biggest problem that the government has now is the proceedings for breach of contract with various companies that have already started work on implementing a scheme that will now be scrapped. Differentiating between EU and non-EU citizens was never an option because the technical provisions for such a scheme would be far too expensive considering the relatively few non-EU vehicles passing through the country.
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you seem to have this 'word' on the brain....
folk who like to tour 'elsewhere' will continue to do so and not change the habits/desires of a lifetime...
however, I guess for those who don't, they must be having 'staycations' already?
long may it 'stay' that way
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well, if touring here and abroad, taking other holidays home and away, a cruise or two for luck is having both without being greedy, then yes....
my point was that, just because this word is bandied about on the news (and on CT by one poster) it doesn't mean that no one will be touring Europe.....
and even if someone decided to spend more time at home, why do we need a silly made up word to describe it?
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Surely "staycation" implies a couple of weeks camping on your own driveway?
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AD, Q.E.D. (some foreign words)
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Check this(thanks to MM👍🏻)😂😂
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Considering how many of you use Germany as a so called transit country going to Italy - Austria - Switzerland and the earlier East Block countries which all have some kind of toll for Motorways the €8 - €20 for using the German autobahns would not break your holiday purse.
The only problem is the German Government will not use the money for keeping the roads in order - you just have to see how bad the roads and motorway bridges are ( main bridges at Cologne / Duisburg and Düsseldorf which cross the Rhine) but thats another story.
On the bright side, those of you going to Spain can look forward to the Spanish Government not renewing the Licenses to the Motorway Companies with Motorways becoming Toll Free slowly up till 2021 especially the A7 Barcelona to Gibralter. Now that is where most of you go - Spain (might be wrong on that could be France).
Anyway, come across have a nice holiday and don`t worry about whats going to happen when Brexit happens.
We need your money.
I will certainly still be coming to the UK!
I live in Germany by the way.
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