Buying Vignettes In Austria For The Czech Republic

If you're planning a road trip to the Czech Republic, you'll need to purchase a vignette, a mandatory road document for motorists. Since 2021, vignettes for the Czech Republic have been available only in digital form, and can be bought online or at select outlets. Vignettes can be purchased for different periods, ranging from 10 days to a year, depending on your travel needs. It's important to note that failure to obtain a vignette before driving on Czech motorways may result in fines. So, make sure to get your vignette and enjoy a hassle-free journey through the Czech Republic.

Where to buy a Czech vignette in Austria

Since the beginning of 2021, it has only been possible to buy a vignette for the Czech Republic online. The vignette in the form of a sticker has been abolished, and only the e-vignette is now available. This can be purchased with just a few clicks online, and you will receive a confirmation by email.

However, if you would prefer to purchase a vignette in person, you can do so at a gas station. There are several options for this in Austria, especially if you are travelling from Brno in the Czech Republic. You can buy vignettes at major gas stations near the border (in Czechia) as well as directly at the border. Most gas stations in Brno itself should also sell vignettes. If you are taking the major route via Mikulov, the highway starts about 9 kilometres (5 miles) past the border, so you will need to buy a vignette within this distance. You can buy one at any petrol station between Prague and Vienna, or at the border crossing in Mikulov.

Czech vignette validity periods

The Czech vignette is completely digital and is required for all motor vehicles with a weight below 3500 kg. It can be purchased online with iDeal, PayPal, or a credit card. The vignette is valid immediately after purchase.

There are three validity periods for the digital vignettes:

• The 10-day vignette: valid for 10 days from the selected starting date.
• The 30-day vignette: valid for 30 days from the selected starting date.
• The annual vignette: valid from 1 January to 31 January of the next year (a maximum of 13 months).

The price of the vignette depends on its validity period and ranges from €4.40 for a 1-day vignette to €29.90 for a 1-year vignette. The 10-day vignette costs €10.66, while the 30-day vignette costs €16.97. The service fee for the 10-day and 30-day vignettes is €8.29 and €9.98, respectively.

It is important to note that the vignette must be purchased before driving on toll roads, as it cannot be purchased retrospectively or at all border crossings and road junctions.

Payment methods for a Czech vignette

Since the beginning of 2021, it has only been possible to buy a vignette for the Czech Republic online. This means that the vignette in the form of a sticker has been abolished, and only the e-vignette is now available.

To buy a vignette, you will need to follow these steps:

• Select the vignette (validity)
• Provide information (license plate number and country of registration)
• Enter your name and email address (for shipping)
• Select a payment method
• Complete the payment and check your email inbox for confirmation

When selecting a payment method, you will have the following options:

• Credit card
• PayPal
• Klarna
• Sofort
• Google Pay
• Bank transfer

It is important to note that if you choose to pay by bank transfer, you will need to consider the exchange rate to the Czech crown (CZK). All payments will be made in this currency, so check the exchange rate at the time of purchase to avoid surprises related to exchange rate differences.

How to use a Czech e-vignette

Since the beginning of 2021, it has been mandatory for motorists in the Czech Republic to buy a vignette online. The old sticker vignette has been abolished and replaced by the e-vignette, which can be purchased 100% online. This electronic vignette offers several advantages, including the convenience of buying it from anywhere, even from the comfort of your car, and receiving the necessary documents within a few minutes.

To purchase a Czech e-vignette, you need to follow a few simple steps:

• Select the vignette and its validity period: Choose the option that suits your needs, such as the 10-day vignette for short stays or the 1-month option for longer stays or multiple trips. The "new" vignette for 1 year offers flexibility by allowing you to select any 365-day period, making it ideal for frequent travellers to the Czech Republic.
• Provide vehicle information: Enter the license plate number and the country of registration of your vehicle.
• Enter personal details: Provide your name and email address for shipping purposes.
• Choose a payment method: Select from various options, including credit card, PayPal, or Klarna.
• Complete the payment: Finish the payment process and check your email inbox for the confirmation.

In addition to buying the e-vignette online, you also have the option to purchase it at gas stations along your route, including self-service machines at gas stations or near the border. However, it is important to ensure that you don't leave it until too late, as driving on Czech motorways and expressways without a valid vignette can result in a fine.

The Czech e-vignette is linked to your license plate number, and cameras on the roads will record your number plate and compare it with the database to ensure you have a valid vignette. This eliminates the need for stickers on your windscreen. The e-vignette is immediately valid upon request, and you will receive it via email or text message, allowing you to set off with peace of mind.

Fines for not having a Czech vignette

Vignettes are now digital in the Czech Republic, and they can be purchased online or at physical sales points. Vignettes can be bought for several countries and vehicles simultaneously.

If you don't buy a vignette and are not eligible for an exemption, you can be fined up to 20,000 CZK (818 euros) for driving on a toll road. If you file a vignette exemption notice without being entitled to one, the fine can be as high as 100,000 CZK (4,090 euros). If your vehicle is eligible for an exemption but you haven't submitted the notice according to legal requirements, or if you don't notify the termination of the right to exemption within 10 working days, you could be fined up to 5,000 CZK (204.50 euros).

It's important to follow the rules and legal requirements regarding vignettes in the Czech Republic to avoid fines and further problems.

Frequently asked questions