Toll Roads In Austria: What You Need To Know

Austria's road network spans over 2000 kilometres of motorways and expressways, with tolls being compulsory on all of them. The toll system applies to most roads in the country and is controlled by the infrastructure company ASFINAG. Tolls can be paid in the form of a vignette, lorry toll (GO-Box), or route toll. The vignette is a toll sticker that can be purchased online or from various outlets, and must be displayed on the inside of the vehicle's windshield. Vehicles over 3.5 tons must pay tolls via the GO toll system, which requires the use of an on-board unit (GO box).

Toll stickers and digital vignettes

Toll stickers, or vignettes, are compulsory for all vehicles driving on Austria's motorways and expressways. This includes cars, motorbikes, and camper vans or light mobile homes up to 3.5 tons. The vignette must be displayed on the inside of the vehicle's windshield, on the top left-hand edge or behind the rear-view mirror, and must not be covered by any tinting strips. For motorbikes, it must be affixed to a component that is difficult to remove, such as the fork leg or tank, and must be clearly visible. Failure to display a valid vignette can result in a heavy, on-the-spot fine.

Vignettes can be purchased as either physical stickers or digital versions. Physical toll stickers can be obtained from various outlets, including Austrian Automobile Clubs, post offices, newsagents, and petrol stations. They can also be purchased in Austria's neighbouring countries at petrol stations, borders, and Automobile Clubs. Digital vignettes can be purchased online through the ASFINAG online shop or the ASFINAG app "Unterwegs".

Both physical and digital vignettes are available for different periods of validity, typically 1 day, 10 days, 2 months, or 1 year. The cost of the vignette depends on the type of vehicle and the validity period selected. It's important to note that the digital vignette is bound to the license plate and offers convenience for holders of transferable number plates.

In addition to the vignette, certain sections of Austrian motorways and tunnels have special toll requirements. These include the A11 Karawankentunnel and pass roads such as the Arlberg or the Karawanken Tunnel. For vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tons, a truck toll or GO-Box is required, which is a mileage-based toll calculated using a special device installed in the vehicle.

Exemptions to toll roads

Tolls are compulsory on all motorways and expressways in Austria. However, there are a few sections of these roads where you are exempt from paying tolls.

Toll-free sections

The following sections of roads in Austria are currently toll-free:

• A1 Westautobahn: Walserberg border crossing to Salzburg Nord
• A12 Inntalautobahn: border crossing Kiefersfelden to Kufstein Süd
• A14 Rheintal/Walgau: border crossing Hörbranz to Hohenems
• A26 Linzer Autobahn: still under construction

Exemptions to the Vignette requirement

The following sections of roads in Austria are exempt from the Vignette requirement:

• A 1 Westautobahn toll section between the state border at Walserberg and the Salzburg Nord junction
• A 12 Inntal motorway toll section between the state border at Kufstein and the Kufstein-Süd junction
• A 14 Rheintal/Walgau motorway toll section between the state border at Hörbranz and the Hohenems junction
• A 26 Linz motorway toll section (currently still under construction)

Toll exemptions for certain vehicles

The Vignette requirement is only needed for vehicles under 3.5 tons. Vehicles with a GVW over 3.5 tons, such as heavy goods vehicles, buses, and heavy mobile homes, are exempt from the Vignette requirement but must pay a separate truck toll. This is calculated via a special device (GO Box), which is installed inside the vehicle.

Toll costs

Tolls are compulsory on all motorways and expressways in Austria. The toll can be paid in the form of a vignette, lorry toll (GO-Box) or route toll. The vignette is a toll sticker that must be displayed on the inside of the vehicle's windshield and is required for all vehicles up to a Technically Permissible Maximum Laden Mass (TPMLM) of 3.5 tons. This includes cars, motorcycles, and light mobile homes. The cost of the vignette depends on the validity period, which can range from 1 day to 1 year, and the type of vehicle. For example, the price of a 1-day vignette for a passenger car will be different from that of a heavy goods vehicle.

Vehicles with a TPMLM of over 3.5 tons, such as heavy goods vehicles, buses, and heavy mobile homes, are subject to a mileage-based GO toll when using Austrian motorways and expressways. The GO toll is calculated using a special device (GO Box) installed inside the vehicle, and the rates depend on the number of axles, the number of kilometres driven, and the vehicle's EURO emission class.

In addition to the vignette and GO toll, there are also special toll sections in Austria where the maintenance of certain routes incurs high costs. These include tunnels and passes used to cross the Alps, such as the Arlberg Tunnel or Tauern Motorway. For these sections, a separate route toll ticket, either physical or digital, must be purchased.

It is important to note that failure to display a valid vignette or pay the required tolls can result in heavy, on-the-spot fines. The fine for driving without a valid vignette can be up to €240, and failure to pay the fine immediately can result in an administrative penalty, increasing the costs to between €300 and €3,000.

Where to purchase toll stickers/vignettes

Toll stickers/vignettes are compulsory for all vehicles up to a Technically Permissible Maximum Laden Mass (TPMLM) of 3.5 tons on Austria's motorways and expressways. You can purchase either a physical toll sticker or a digital toll sticker.

Physical Toll Sticker

Physical toll stickers can be obtained from the following places:

• Austrian Automobile Clubs
• Post offices
• Newsagents
• Petrol stations
• Austria's neighbouring countries at petrol stations, borders, and Automobile Clubs

Digital Toll Sticker

Digital toll stickers can be obtained in the following ways:

• Online: Purchase through the ASFINAG online shop or download the ASFINAG app "Unterwegs" on your phone. The digital vignette is available for 1 year, 2 months, 10 days or 1 day. The 1-year and 2-month tickets are only valid from the 18th day after the online purchase, while the 1-day and 10-day tickets are valid immediately.
• Sales point: Buy from a physical sales office or a vending machine. All digital vignettes are valid immediately.

The vignette is available at numerous points of sale, including motorists' clubs (ÖAMTC and ARBÖ), petrol stations, and tobacconists. The digital vignette can also be purchased online in the ASFINAG toll shop from anywhere within the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, or at ASFINAG toll stations without cash using a credit or debit card.

Penalties for not paying tolls

Tolls are compulsory on all motorways and expressways in Austria. The toll can be paid in the form of a vignette, lorry toll (GO-Box) or route toll. The vignette is a toll sticker that must be displayed on the inside of the vehicle's windshield and is available in physical or digital form.

Failure to display a valid vignette sticker can result in heavy, on-the-spot fines. The ASFINAG, the infrastructure company responsible for controlling and maintaining the toll roads, monitors compliance with the toll obligation through fully automatic cameras, random checks by its toll supervisors, or police checks.

If you are caught driving without a valid vignette on most Austrian roads, you have committed "toll evasion" according to the Federal Road Toll Act. Here is an overview of the penalties and consequences you may face:

• Request for Substitute Toll Payment: You will receive a letter from ASFINAG requesting a substitute toll payment of EUR 120. Even if you believe you did not violate the vignette or toll requirement, this letter should not be ignored. You can contact the European Consumer Centre for assistance in reviewing the cancellation of the payment request and requesting evidence photos from ASFINAG.
• Anonymous Order (Reduced Administrative Fine): If you did not receive the request to pay the substitute toll of EUR 120, you may apply for it. If you are sure you have followed all the regulations, you can apply to the local authority for the fine to be archived, but proof of toll payment is required. It is important to note that this is a penalty with no legal remedy under Austrian law, and the issuing authority is not obliged to respond to applications.
• Request for Disclosure of Driver's Details: If the "Anonymous Order" is not paid within 4 weeks, it will expire and be replaced by a higher fine. The district administrative authority will initiate penalty proceedings and request the vehicle owner to provide the driver's details within two weeks. Failure to provide this information could result in an additional traffic violation and a very high fine.
• Penalty Order (Between EUR 300 and EUR 3,000): After the Anonymous Order goes unpaid, the administrative penalty, or penalty order, is issued. You may appeal against this penalty within two weeks of receiving the order, and it is recommended to request a warning and/or an extraordinary reduction of the penalty. In cases of minor oversights, the district administrative authority may show leniency and waive the fine. If you cannot provide valid reasons for an appeal, it is advisable to pay the fine.

It is important to note that the digital vignette purchased online has a validity period. It is not valid immediately, and there is a time limit of 18 days before it becomes active. Driving on toll roads before this validity period has started will result in penalties, similar to driving without a valid vignette.

Frequently asked questions