Driving in Europe: What Speed - 100, 120, 130, 140, 150?

The European road network spans the continent. However, each country has its own rules and speed limits. Here's an overview of the different maximum speeds in Europe.

Driving abroad means adapting to new rules. Among the most variable from country to country are speed limits. Here is the comprehensive list of regulations in all European countries on different types of road networks. It's also important to consider signage for temporary limits and areas like Zone 30 or Zone 50. Note also that near schools, the limit is often 30km/h and in residential or meeting areas, the maximum speed is generally set at 20km/h.

General rules

Upon entering each country or region, signage summarises the various limits in effect. Remember that these speeds are not targets to be achieved at all costs, but maximum limits. Therefore, it is prudent to adapt your pace to the rules, weather conditions and traffic flow, while respecting the safety distance. Nevertheless, driving too slowly is also dangerous, especially for other users. All countries have developed measures to control and penalise drivers who are in too much of a hurry or who obstruct traffic flow. Often with hefty fines...

The speed list

For each country, listed alphabetically, the speeds in force in 2025 are separated by slashes. In the list below, you first find the speed limits in towns, then outside towns and finally on motorways. Speeds are expressed in km/h. When there are distinct rules depending on a particular type of road, the different speeds are separated by dashes with an explanation in brackets.

Example: [urban area] 50 / [rural area] 80 – 100 (express road) / [motorways] 130 (110 at night)

Albania: 40 / 80 / 110

Germany: 50 / 100 / Unlimited (130 recommended) – according to signage or variable display

Andorra: 50 / 90 / no motorway

Austria: 50 / 100 / 130

Belgium: 30 (Brussels) – 50 / 70 (Flanders and Brussels) – 90 (Wallonia) / 120

Bosnia and Herzegovina: 50 / 80 / 130

Bulgaria: 50 / 90 / 140

Cyprus: 50 / 80 / 100

Croatia: 50 / 90 / 130

Denmark: 50 / 80 / 130

Spain: 50 / 90 / 120 (150 on the AP-7 in Catalonia according to variable signs)

Estonia: 50 / 90 / 90 (winter) – 110 (summer) – 120 (some sections in summer)

Finland: 50 / 80 / 100 (winter) – 120 (summer)

France: 50 / 80 (90 in some departments on many routes, according to signage) – 110 (expressways) – 100 (expressways in rainy weather) / 130 (110 in rainy weather)

Greece: 50 / 90 / 130

Hungary: 50 / 90 / 130

Ireland: 50 / 60 (rural roads) – 80 / 100 / 120

Iceland: 50 / 80 – 90 / no motorway

Italy: 50 / 90 / 130 (110 in rainy weather - 150 planned for some sections, but not yet implemented)

Latvia: 50 / 90 / 100

Liechtenstein: 50 / 80 / no motorway

Lithuania: 50 / 90 / 110 (winter) – 130 (summer)

Luxembourg: 50 / 90 / 130 (110 in rainy weather)

Malta: 50 / 80 / no motorway

Moldova: 50 / 90 / 120

Monaco: 50 / no other type of road

Montenegro: 50 / 80 / 130

Norway: 40 – 50 / 80 / 90 to 110

Netherlands: 50 / 80 – 100 (on automobile roads) / 100 from 6am to 7pm – 130 at night and 24/7 on some sections – 120 at night on some sections – according to variable signs

Poland: 50 (60 at night) / 90 – 120 (expressways) / 140

Portugal: 50 / 90 / 120

Czech Republic: 50 / 90 / 130 (150 soon on some sections)

Romania: 50 / 90 – 100 (expressways) / 130

United Kingdom: 48 (30 mph) / 96 (60 mph) / 112 (70 mph)

San Marino: 50 / 70 / no motorway

Serbia: 50 / 80 / 130

Slovakia: 50 / 90 / 130

Slovenia: 50 / 90 / 130

Sweden: 30 – 50 / 70 – 90 (dual carriageways) – 100 (expressways) / 120 (140 under consideration, not yet implemented)

Switzerland: 50 / 80 / 120 (many tunnels at 80)

Turkey: 50 / 90 / 140

Ukraine: 50 / 90 / 130

(MH with Olivier Duquesne – Sources: ChatGPT, Wikipedia, Michelin & government sites – Picture: Unsplash)