Damon Mcknight
Austria's road toll system is called the Vignette, a toll sticker required for all vehicles driving on motorways and expressways. The Vignette can be purchased at various outlets, including automobile clubs, petrol stations, and tobacconists, as well as online through the ASFINAG toll shop or specific apps. The toll sticker must be displayed on the inside of the vehicle's windshield and is valid for different periods, including 1 day, 10 days, 2 months, or 1 year. The cost of the annual vignette for 2025 is €103.80, and it remains valid for fourteen months, from December 1st of the preceding year to January 31st of the following year. In addition to the Vignette, independent tolls are levied for certain cost-intensive Alpine passes, such as the Arlberg Tunnel or the Tauern Motorway, which can be paid directly at the toll station or online in advance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Toll sticker required | Yes |
| Vehicles requiring a sticker | Cars, motorbikes, light mobile homes |
| Vehicles exempt from sticker | Lorries in categories N1, N2 and N3 |
| Where to buy a sticker | Austrian Automobile Clubs, post offices, newsagents, petrol stations, tobacconists, automobile associations, ASFINAG outlets, online |
| Countries where stickers can be purchased | Austria, its neighbouring countries, Switzerland, Slovenia, Italy, Hungary, Czechia, Slovakia |
| Validity periods | 1 day, 10 days, 2 months, 1 year |
| Cost of annual sticker | €103.80 |
| Validity of annual sticker | 14 months |
| Where to place the sticker | Top left-hand corner of the windscreen, behind the rear-view mirror |
| Fine for not having a valid sticker | Up to €240 |
| Administrative penalty for not paying the fine | €300 to €3,000 |
| Toll for certain sections | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Where to buy a road toll sticker
In Austria, motorway toll stickers (also known as vignettes) are compulsory for all motorways and expressways. There are over 6,000 outlets in Austria and abroad where you can purchase a vignette, including:
- Austrian Automobile Clubs
- Post offices
- Newsagents
- Petrol stations
- Tobacconists
- Motorway service areas
- Border crossings
- Automobile clubs in neighbouring countries
Vignettes can also be purchased online in the form of digital vignettes from the ASFINAG toll shop or the ASFINAG app. The ASFINAG app is free to download and is available on the website of Asfinag, the Austrian company that manages the country's motorways.
The vignette is not compulsory for driving in Austria, but if you are stopped at a control on a motorway or expressway without a valid vignette, you will have to pay a fine ranging from €300 to €3,000.
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How to display the sticker
To display the Austrian toll sticker, or 'Vignette', correctly, you must stick it to the inside of your vehicle's windshield. It must be affixed to the top left-hand corner of the windscreen, or behind the rear-view mirror, and must not be covered by any tinting strips.
The Vignette is not valid if it is not affixed to the vehicle, and it will also become invalid if it is removed and then stuck back on. It must also not be attached to a luggage case or a motorcycle bag. Motorbikes must affix the Vignette to a component that is difficult to remove, such as a fork leg or the tank, and it must be clearly visible.
The Vignette is available as a physical sticker or a digital version. The physical sticker can be purchased from Austrian Automobile Clubs, post offices, newsagents, and petrol stations, as well as in neighbouring countries at petrol stations, borders, and Automobile Clubs. The digital Vignette can be purchased through the ASFINAG online shop or via the ASFINAG app, 'Unterwegs'. It can also be bought at a physical sales office or a vending machine.
The Vignette is valid for either 1 day, 10 days, 2 months, or 1 year, depending on the type of Vignette. The 1-day Vignette is a new, digital-only product. The 10-day Vignette allows a vehicle of up to 3.5 tons to use the roads for ten consecutive calendar days. The 2-month Vignette is valid for two months from the punch day, and the annual Vignette is valid for 14 months, from 1 December of the previous year until 31 January of the following year.
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Cost of the sticker
Austria's motorway toll sticker, the Vignette, is required for all motorways and expressways in the country. The Vignette can be purchased as either a physical toll sticker or a digital vignette.
The Vignette toll sticker is available in four different periods of validity: 1 day, 10 days, 2 months, or 1 year. The cost of the Vignette depends on the duration of validity. The 1-day Vignette is a new, purely digital product and can only be purchased in the ASFINAG toll shop or the ASFINAG app. The 10-day, 2-month, and 1-year Vignettes are available from over 6,000 outlets in Austria and abroad, as well as in the ASFINAG toll shop or the App Unterwegs.
The price of the Vignette is set by the Federal Minister for Transport, Innovation and Technology in consultation with the Federal Minister of Finance. The cost of the Vignette varies depending on the type of vehicle and the number of axles. For example, the toll for a car will be different from that of a heavy goods vehicle.
In addition to the Vignette, there are certain motorway sections that require an additional toll ticket, such as the A 9 Pyhrn motorway, A 10 Tauern motorway, and A 11 Karawanken motorway. These additional tolls are due to the high construction costs of special structures such as tunnels.
The GO-Box is another toll option for larger vehicles with a Technically Permissible Maximum Laden Mass (TPMLM) of over 3.5 tons. The GO-Box can be obtained from petrol stations and other partners in Austria, and the toll rates depend on the number of axles, the number of kilometres driven, and the vehicle's EURO emission class.
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Exemptions
Austria's road tolls are a crucial source of revenue for the country's infrastructure maintenance and development. While all motorways and expressways in Austria require a toll sticker or 'vignette', there are certain exemptions to these toll charges. These exemptions are provided to specific categories of vehicles and residents, recognising their unique contributions to society.
One of the primary groups that are exempt from tolls in Austria are emergency vehicles, including police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances. This exemption ensures that these essential vehicles can operate without delay, allowing them to reach their destinations swiftly and efficiently. In addition to emergency vehicles, residents of certain regions or areas may also be exempt from tolls. This is particularly relevant for those living in remote or less accessible parts of Austria, where the cost of road maintenance and access is higher. By providing these exemptions, the government aims to improve the quality of life and accessibility for these communities.
Furthermore, Austria's toll system may offer exemptions for specific types of vehicles, such as those used for public transportation or commercial purposes. Public buses, for example, play a vital role in connecting communities and providing essential transportation services. Exempting these vehicles from tolls helps support the efficient and cost-effective operation of public transportation systems.
It is important to note that the toll system in Austria is primarily electronic, with no physical toll booths. Drivers are charged based on the distance travelled and the type of vehicle. Tolls are typically collected during peak hours, with reduced rates at night. To ensure compliance with the regulations, drivers should be aware of the criteria for exemption and the necessary documentation required. This knowledge is especially valuable for those travelling regularly through Austria, allowing them to plan their routes and manage expenses effectively.
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Penalties for not buying a sticker
In Austria, all motorways and expressways are subject to tolls. To drive on these roads, you must obtain a vignette, which is a toll sticker or digital pass. The vignette can be purchased at various physical locations, including Austrian Automobile Clubs, post offices, newsagents, and petrol stations. It can also be bought online or from a vending machine.
If you are unable to present a valid vignette when driving on Austrian toll roads, you will be required to pay a spot fine of €120. This fine must be paid immediately and applies to all vehicles, regardless of whether they are rented or privately owned. Failure to pay the fine on time can result in administrative penalties ranging from €300 to €3,000.
It is important to ensure that the vignette is properly displayed on your vehicle. For cars, the sticker must be affixed to the inside of the windshield, on the top left-hand edge or behind the rear-view mirror, clearly visible from the outside. On motorcycles, it should be placed on a component that is difficult to remove, such as the fork leg or tank, and again, clearly visible.
Tampering with the vignette sticker is an offence and can result in a fine of €240. This includes any attempt to remove or alter the sticker such that it is no longer properly displayed or valid. Additionally, sharing vignettes with others is not permitted. Each vehicle must have its own valid vignette to avoid penalties.
It is worth noting that there are certain exemptions from the vignette requirement on specific stretches of road, as outlined in the Federal Roads Toll Act (Bundesstraßenmautgesetz). These include sections of the A 1 Westautobahn, A 12 Inntalautobahn, A 14 Rheintal/Walgau Autobahn, and A 26 Linzer Autobahn. However, these exemptions may be temporary, and it is always a good idea to have a valid vignette when driving in Austria to avoid any potential penalties.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria has a toll system for cars and motorways. All Austrian motorways and expressways are subject to a toll. Cars and motorbikes require a vignette toll sticker.
Vignettes can be purchased at various outlets in Austria, including newsagents, automobile associations, and special outlets of the public agency responsible for expressways and motorways (ASFINAG). They can also be purchased at petrol stations, borders, and automobile clubs in Austria's neighbouring countries.
The cost of a vignette depends on the period of validity. In 2025, an annual vignette costs €103.80 for a car. Vignettes are also available for 1 day, 10 days, or 2 months.
The vignette sticker must be displayed on the inside of the windshield of your vehicle, stuck to the top left-hand edge or behind the rear-view mirror. For motorbikes, it must be affixed to a component that is difficult to remove, such as the fork leg or tank, and clearly visible.
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