For years, the drive from Trieste to Rovinj had an annoying catch. To use the 6 km coastal expressway between Škofije (the Italian–Slovenian border) and Koper, you needed a Slovenian motorway vignette — the cheapest option being a weekly pass at €16. For a stretch of road that takes about five minutes to drive.
Most people who knew the trick avoided it entirely, taking the free local road through Koper and the surrounding villages instead. It worked, but it was slow, poorly signposted, and confusing if you'd never driven it before.
What changed
On 1 January 2026, the Slovenian government removed the vignette requirement on this specific stretch. The decision was pushed through after years of lobbying by border communities and the Italian Union, who argued that charging €16 for a 6 km transit road — used overwhelmingly by cross-border commuters and tourists passing through — made no sense.
The move is officially temporary, tied to the planned construction of a new Koper–Dragonja expressway that would eventually replace this route. That road is at least a decade away, so for practical purposes the vignette-free status is here to stay for the foreseeable future.
What this means for driving to Rovinj
If you're arriving from Trieste airport (the closest major airport to Rovinj, about 1.5 hours by car) or driving down from Venice, your route crosses into Slovenia at Škofije, follows the coast to Koper, then continues south to the Croatian border at Dragonja/Kaštel. Previously you either paid €16 for the vignette or detoured through Koper's local roads.
Now you just drive straight through. No vignette, no detour, no stopping at a petrol station to buy a sticker you'll use once.
Do I still need a vignette for the rest of Slovenia?
Yes — if you're driving on any other Slovenian motorway (e.g. the A1 from Ljubljana to the coast), you still need a standard Slovenian e-vignette. The exemption only applies to the Škofije–Koper coastal section.
If your route is Trieste → Koper → Dragonja → Rovinj (the most common), you don't touch any other Slovenian motorway, so you're completely vignette-free.
If you're coming from Ljubljana or inland Slovenia, you'll still need the e-vignette for the motorway down to the coast.
Quick route summary
- Trieste → Rovinj (~1.5 hours): cross at Škofije, coast road to Koper (no vignette), local road or H6 to Dragonja border, then Croatian roads to Rovinj. No vignette needed anywhere.
- Venice → Rovinj (~3.5 hours): Italian motorway to Trieste, then same as above. Italian tolls apply on the A4/A34, but no Slovenian vignette.
- Ljubljana → Rovinj (~2.5 hours): Slovenian A1 motorway (vignette required) to the coast, then south to Dragonja.
For the full picture on getting here, parking, and getting around once you arrive, see our Getting to Rovinj and Parking in Rovinj guides.
