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Austria's road network is funded by a toll system, which has been in place since 1997. All motorways and expressways in Austria are subject to toll charges, with the exception of provincial and federal roads. There are several ways to pay for the use of these roads, including physical toll stickers, digital vignettes, and a GO-Box for larger vehicles. The toll system is designed to be as convenient as possible, with various payment options available, and the proceeds from the tolls are used to maintain and improve the country's road network.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Toll sticker required | Yes, for all motorways and expressways ("S" roads) |
| Toll sticker not required | For provincial and federal roads |
| Types of vignettes | Digital vignette, physical vignette |
| Vignette validity periods | 1 day, 10 days, 2 months, 1 year |
| Toll payment methods | Cash, card, fuel card, online |
| Toll sticker purchase locations | Austrian Automobile Clubs, post offices, newsagents, petrol stations, vending machines, ASFINAG toll shop, Unterwegs app |
| Toll sticker display requirements | Affixed to the inside of the windshield, on the top left-hand edge or behind the rear-view mirror |
| Toll costs usage | Proceeds go towards construction, operation, and safety of the road network |
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What You'll Learn
Toll stickers and vignettes
Austria's motorway and expressway network is almost entirely tolled, with proceeds funding the construction, operation and safety of the country's high-profile road network. All vehicles up to 3.5 tons TPMLM (Technically Permissible Maximum Laden Mass) require a vignette toll sticker or digital vignette to drive on Austrian motorways and expressways.
Toll Stickers
Toll stickers can be purchased as physical stickers or digital vignettes. Physical stickers can be obtained from Austrian Automobile Clubs, post offices, newsagents, and petrol stations, as well as in neighbouring countries at petrol stations, borders, and Automobile Clubs. Cars rented in neighbouring countries may not be equipped with the sticker, so it's important to obtain one from your car rental agency. The vignette sticker 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, like the fork leg or tank, and clearly visible.
Digital Vignettes
Digital vignettes can be purchased in the ASFINAG online shop or via the ASFINAG app "Unterwegs". They are available for 1 year, 2 months, 10 days or 1 day. Tickets for 1 year and 2 months are only valid from the 18th day after the online purchase, while the 10-day and 1-day options are valid immediately. Digital vignettes can also be purchased at physical sales offices or vending machines, in which case they are all valid immediately.
Validity
Vignettes are available for 1 day, 10 days, 2 months, or 1 year. The annual vignette covers the last month of the previous year and the first month of the following year. It's important to ensure your vignette is valid before driving on Austrian roads, as driving without a valid vignette can result in a fine of up to €240. Failure to pay the fine immediately can result in significant additional costs.
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Paying for heavy vehicles
Austria's motorways and expressways are subject to tolls. All vehicles with a Technically Permissible Maximum Laden Mass (TPMLM) of over 3.5 tons are subject to a mileage-based toll when using Austrian motorways and expressways, commonly referred to as a truck toll. This includes heavy goods vehicles, buses, heavy mobile homes, and HGVs.
The toll can be paid with a single device, known as a GO-Box, which can be purchased from petrol stations and other GO-Box partners in Austria. The GO-Box must be obtained before entering a motorway or expressway, as the toll can only be paid using this device.
The toll rates for HGVs with a gross vehicle weight of over 3.5 tons depend on the number of axles, kilometres travelled, and the EURO emission class of the vehicle.
There are also special tolls that must be paid on certain motorway sections, regardless of the vignette. These include the A 9 Pyhrn motorway, A 10 Tauern motorway, A 11 Karawanken motorway, A 13 Brenner motorway, and S 16 Arlberg expressway.
It is important to note that driving without a valid vignette or GO-Box can result in a fine of up to €240. Failure to pay the fine immediately may lead to an administrative penalty procedure, which can significantly increase the costs.
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Toll exemptions
Austria's toll system includes several exemptions for specific vehicles and residents. These exemptions are designed to ensure that certain individuals and vehicles are not burdened by toll charges and can travel efficiently throughout the country. Here are the key toll exemptions in Austria:
- Emergency Vehicles: Emergency vehicles, such as police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances, are exempt from tolls. This exemption ensures that these essential vehicles can respond rapidly to incidents without being delayed by toll payments.
- Residents of Certain Regions: Residents of specific areas or regions in Austria may be exempt from tolls. This is particularly applicable to individuals living in remote or less accessible parts of the country, where road maintenance costs are higher. By exempting residents from tolls, the government aims to improve accessibility and the quality of life for these communities.
- Public Transportation: Vehicles used for public transportation, such as public buses, may be exempt from tolls. This exemption supports the efficient and cost-effective operation of public transportation systems, making them more accessible to the general public.
- Commercial Vehicles: Certain vehicles used for commercial purposes could be exempt from tolls. This exemption recognises the unique contributions of these vehicles to society and ensures they can operate without additional financial burdens.
- Vehicle Weight: Vehicles with a Technically Permissible Maximum Laden Mass (TPMLM) of 3.5 tons or less are exempt from the mileage-based GO toll. This exemption applies to cars, motorcycles, and light mobile homes.
- Provincial and Federal Roads: In Austria, provincial and federal roads are exempt from tolls. Therefore, travellers can use these roads without the need for a toll sticker or vignette.
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Paying in cash or card
Austria's motorway toll sticker, the Vignette, is required for all vehicles driving on motorways and expressways. This includes cars, motorbikes, and vehicles up to 3.5 tons. There are physical and digital Vignette options available, which can be purchased with cash or card.
Physical Vignettes can be purchased with cash or card from Austrian Automobile Clubs, post offices, newsagents, and petrol stations. They can also be purchased in neighbouring countries at petrol stations, borders, and Automobile Clubs.
Digital Vignettes can be purchased online with a card, or in person with cash or card at physical sales offices or vending machines. Digital Vignettes are available for purchase on the ASFINAG toll shop or app, as well as on third-party websites such as Tolltickets.
It is important to note that the Vignette is not required for the passage of some tunnels and mountain passes, but a toll charge is levied at the toll gates. These toll charges can be paid in cash, by card, or with a fuel card.
Additionally, there are special toll roads that require the purchase of an additional toll ticket. These roads have particularly high construction costs for structures such as tunnels. The toll for these roads can be paid in person at the entrance or online.
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Online payments
In Austria, all motor vehicles up to and including 3.5 tons are required to pay tolls on motorways. These tolls are collected through either a Paper Vignette or a Digital Vignette. The Vignette is Austria's toll sticker, which you need to display on the inside of your vehicle's windshield as you enter Austria.
The digital vignette can 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. You can also buy the digital vignette from online distributors such as tolltickets, which guarantee the best and official prices for Austrian toll products.
ASFINAG offers a digital option where you pay online and associate a car number plate with your payment. The digital vignette is bound to the license plate and offers greater convenience for holders of transferable number plates. The annual and 2-month digital vignettes are not activated straight away and are only valid from the 18th day after the online purchase. The 1-day and 10-day options are valid immediately. When entering your license plate number during the booking process, ensure that it matches your vehicle registration document.
The GO-Box toll unit is designed for the payment of tolls for motorways and expressways for vehicles with a weight above 3.5 tons.
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Frequently asked questions
You can pay for roads in Austria by purchasing a vignette, which is a toll sticker that can be placed on your vehicle's windscreen.
You can buy a vignette online, at a physical sales office, or from a vending machine. They are available from over 6,000 outlets in Austria and abroad, including Austrian Automobile Clubs, post offices, newsagents, and petrol stations.
The cost of a vignette depends on the length of validity you require. Vignettes are available for 1 day, 10 days, 2 months, or 1 year.
Yes, provincial and federal roads in Austria do not require a vignette.
If you are caught driving on a toll road in Austria without a valid vignette, you may face a fine of up to €240. Failure to pay the fine immediately could result in further costs of between €300 and €3,000.
