Flash! This is how high traffic fines are in Europe

For your own safety, it’s best to stick to the speed limit. And texting while driving is unwise. After all, rules are there for a reason. But we’re not all saints, and we know that sometimes you might press the gas pedal a little too hard. If this happens (accidentally, of course) and you get caught, you’ll really have to dig into your wallet. Not just in the Netherlands, but also across the border.

Traffic fines in Europe

Belgium
In Belgium, traffic violations are divided into four levels, with the first level being the least severe and the fourth level the most serious. The minimum fine starts at €58 for a first-level offense and can go up to €473 for the most serious violations. Speeding violations outside built-up areas start at €53 for exceeding the limit by up to 10 km/h. If you’re speeding 10 to 40 km/h over the limit, you’ll pay €53 for the first 10 km/h plus €6 for each additional kilometer. Calling or texting while driving will cost you at least €116.

France
If you drive up to 20 km/h over the speed limit outside built-up areas, you’ll pay €68. For exceeding the limit by 20 to 50 km/h, the fine nearly doubles to €135. Using your phone while driving (with the phone in your hand) will cost at least €135.

Germany
Germany uses a points system for traffic violations, which also applies to foreigners. For violations with a fine starting at €60 or traffic offenses, you can receive one to three penalty points. If you drive up to 20 km/h over the speed limit outside built-up areas, you’ll pay €88.50. A violation of 21 to 25 km/h over the limit costs €128.50, while driving 26 to 30 km/h over will cost you €178.50 and result in a penalty point. The higher the speeding violation, the higher the fine. Using your phone while driving will cost €128.50, and if it causes a dangerous situation, the fine increases to €178.50.

Italy
In Italy, traffic fines often come with multiple amounts. If you pay within five days, you get a discount and pay the lowest rate. After five days, you must pay a higher amount, which must be settled within 60 days. After that, the fine increases again. A speeding violation of 11 to 40 km/h over the limit outside built-up areas costs at least €175, and those driving with a car and caravan will pay even more. Using your phone while driving results in a fine ranging from €250 to €1,000. Additionally, between 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM, increased rates apply: running a red light, speeding, or committing another serious violation during this time will result in a 30% surcharge.

Spain
Spain operates a points system for traffic violations, but it does not affect tourists or other foreigners. Speeding violations result in fines starting at €100 and can go up to €600, possibly with a driving ban. Using your phone while driving will cost you €200. The Spanish police can collect traffic fines on the spot. If you pay immediately or within 20 days, you get a 50% discount, unless it’s a serious violation.

Austria
In Austria, if you drive 11 to 20 km/h over the speed limit on the highway, you’ll pay a fine of at least €29 and up to €50. A violation of 21 to 30 km/h over the limit will cost you up to €90. Holding your phone while driving costs you at least €100, and driving without a motorway toll sticker results in a €120 fine.

Switzerland
Switzerland imposes significant fines for speeding violations. Driving 6 to 10 km/h over the limit costs at least 60 Swiss Francs. If you exceed the limit by 11 to 15 km/h, it rises to 120 Swiss Francs, and 16 to 20 km/h over the limit will cost you at least 180 Swiss Francs. Driving 21 to 25 km/h over the limit results in a fine of at least 260 Swiss Francs. Using your phone while driving will cost you at least 100 Swiss Francs. Driving on the motorway without a valid toll sticker costs 200 Swiss Francs, plus the mandatory purchase of a sticker. The exchange rate is currently around 1.04 Swiss Francs per euro, making the amounts nearly equivalent to euro prices.

This article provides the most current overview of traffic fines in Europe, but no rights can be derived from it. One thing is certain: if you follow traffic rules, you won’t have to worry about fines.