Frequently Asked Questions

A vignette is a mandatory toll sticker or digital pass required for all vehicles under 3.5 tonnes (motorcycles, private cars, and light motorhomes) travelling on Austrian motorways (Autobahnen) and expressways (Schnellstraßen). It signifies that you have paid the basic road usage fee. Failure to display a valid physical vignette or have an active digital vignette when driving on these designated roads can result in significant fines. This system helps fund the maintenance and development of Austria's excellent road network.

Austria offers several types of vignettes to accommodate different travel durations:

10-day vignette:

Ideal for short holidays or transit through Austria. Valid for 10 consecutive days starting from the chosen day.

2-month vignette:

Suitable for longer stays or multiple trips within a two-month period. Valid for two months from the chosen start date.

Annual vignette:

Best for frequent travellers or residents. Valid for 14 months, from 1st December of the previous year to 31st January of the following year (e.g., a 2024 annual vignette is valid from 01.12.2023 to 31.01.2025).

These are available as physical adhesive stickers or as digital vignettes.

Physical vignettes can be purchased at various locations:

• At most petrol stations near the Austrian border and within Austria.
• At Austrian automobile clubs (ÖAMTC, ARBÖ).
• At post offices.
• At tobacco shops (Trafiken).

The digital vignette can be purchased online through the official ASFINAG webshop (asfinag.at) or via the ASFINAG app. When purchasing online, please be aware of the consumer protection waiting period.

The digital vignette is a modern, convenient alternative to the traditional adhesive sticker. Instead of affixing a sticker to your windscreen, your vehicle's registration number is electronically recorded and linked to your vignette purchase. Cameras installed on motorways and expressways automatically check for valid digital vignettes by scanning number plates. This eliminates the need for physical application, removal, and avoids potential fines for incorrect placement.

Benefits include:

1. No need to stick or scrape off a physical sticker.
2. Can be purchased online from anywhere.
3. Linked to your number plate, not the vehicle itself (useful if you change windscreens).
4. Easier for rental cars if the provider offers this service.

Yes, for private consumers purchasing a digital vignette online, there is an 18-day consumer protection waiting period. This means the vignette only becomes valid on the 18th day after purchase. This is due to consumer protection laws allowing for a right of withdrawal. If you need the digital vignette immediately, you can purchase it at physical sales points (e.g., ÖAMTC, ARBÖ, petrol stations) or declare yourself as a business customer (though this may impact your consumer rights).

The Go-Box is an electronic toll device required for all vehicles over 3.5 tonnes maximum permissible gross weight (MPGW) when travelling on Austrian motorways and expressways. This includes lorries, buses, and heavy motorhomes. Unlike the vignette, the Go-Box calculates tolls based on the distance driven, the number of axles, and the vehicle's emission class. It uses DSRC (Dedicated Short-Range Communication) technology to communicate with toll gantries, automatically deducting the toll fee.

It is essential for any heavy vehicle operator to obtain and correctly use a Go-Box to avoid substantial fines.

Generally, almost all motorways and expressways in Austria require a vignette. However, there are a few exceptions, primarily short sections leading to border crossings or specific tunnels that have separate toll charges. For instance, sections of the A1 West Autobahn near Salzburg and the A14 Rheintal/Walgau Autobahn between Hörbranz and Hohenems are currently vignette-exempt. It's always advisable to check the latest information from ASFINAG, the Austrian motorway operator, as these exemptions can change.

Additionally, some specific routes, like the Brenner Autobahn (A13), Tauern Autobahn (A10), and the Arlberg Tunnel (S16), require a separate route-specific toll in addition to a valid vignette (or Go-Box for heavy vehicles).

Driving on a vignette-mandated road without a valid, properly affixed physical vignette or an active digital vignette (or Go-Box for vehicles over 3.5t) can lead to significant penalties. Enforcement is carried out through frequent roadside checks by ASFINAG personnel and automatic camera systems. Fines for non-compliance typically start at €120 for cars and motorcycles, and can escalate significantly if not paid promptly or in cases of manipulation (e.g., a transferred or invalid vignette). For Go-Box violations, fines can be even higher.

The cost of a vignette is minimal compared to the potential fines. Always ensure compliance before entering Austrian motorways.

No, physical vignettes are not transferable between vehicles. Once affixed to a windscreen, they are designed to be destroyed upon removal to prevent reuse. The physical vignette is valid only for the vehicle to which it was originally affixed. Digital vignettes are linked to a specific number plate. While you cannot transfer a digital vignette to a different number plate, you can amend the registered number plate if there's a change (e.g., due to re-registration) through the ASFINAG portal, subject to certain conditions and verification.

Most rental cars hired within Austria will already have a valid vignette. However, it is crucial to confirm this with the rental company when you pick up the vehicle. If you rent a car in a neighbouring country (e.g., Germany, Italy, Czech Republic) and plan to drive into Austria, the car is unlikely to have an Austrian vignette. In this scenario, you are responsible for purchasing one before entering Austrian toll roads. Failure to do so will result in fines. Always check the terms and conditions with your rental provider.

Route-specific tolls, which are separate from the vignette and apply to certain expensive sections like the Brenner Autobahn (A13), Tauern Autobahn (A10), and Arlberg Tunnel (S16), can be paid in several ways:

• At the toll station: You can pay directly at the toll plazas using cash or credit/debit cards.
• Online (Video Toll): For some routes, you can purchase a "Video Toll" online in advance. This links your number plate to the payment, allowing you to pass through designated lanes without stopping. This is convenient and saves time.
• Via automatic payment systems: For regular users, systems like the ASFINAG prepaid card or other transponders can be used.

Always check the specific requirements for the route you intend to use.