Austria has one of the best motorway networks in Europe, making it easy to travel between Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz and other regions of the country. However, most Austrian motorways and expressways are not free to use.
Drivers of cars, motorcycles and motorhomes up to 3.5 tonnes generally need an Austrian vignette, while several Alpine tunnels and motorway sections require an additional section toll.
This guide explains how Austrian motorway tolls work in 2026, how much a vignette costs, where additional tolls apply and which driving rules you should know before travelling through Austria.
Do You Need a Vignette in Austria?
Yes. Vehicles with a maximum technically permissible laden mass of up to 3.5 tonnes generally require a valid vignette when using Austrian motorways (Autobahnen) and expressways (Schnellstraßen).
The requirement applies to:
- passenger cars;
- motorcycles;
- camper vans and motorhomes up to 3.5 tonnes.
Vehicles above 3.5 tonnes generally use Austria’s distance-based GO toll system instead.
A vignette can be purchased either as a traditional sticker or digitally and linked to the vehicle’s registration number. The 1-day vignette is available only digitally.
Austria Vignette Prices 2026
Official ASFINAG prices for passenger cars in 2026 are:
| Vignette | Car up to 3.5 t | Motorcycle |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | €9.60 | €3.80 |
| 10 days | €12.80 | €5.10 |
| 2 months | €32.00 | €12.80 |
| Annual | €106.80 | €42.70 |
The 1-day vignette covers one calendar day rather than a full 24-hour period. For example, if you activate it at 15:00 for immediate use, it expires at 23:59 that evening.
The annual vignette can have a maximum validity period of 14 months, from 1 December of the previous year until 31 January of the following year.
Digital Vignette or Sticker Vignette?
Austria offers both versions.
Digital vignette
The digital vignette is connected to the vehicle’s licence plate. Nothing has to be placed on the windscreen.
It can be purchased through the official ASFINAG toll shop or ASFINAG app.
Sticker vignette
The physical sticker is attached to the windscreen and can be purchased from authorised sales locations such as petrol stations and automobile clubs.
The exception is the 1-day vignette, which is digital only.
Important 18-Day Rule for Online Vignettes
Tourists should pay particular attention to this rule.
When a private consumer purchases a digital 2-month or annual vignette online directly through ASFINAG, it normally becomes valid only from the 18th day after purchase because of consumer withdrawal rules.
The restriction does not apply to the:
- 1-day digital vignette;
- 10-day digital vignette.
Those can be purchased for immediate validity.
Therefore, if you are travelling to Austria at short notice, a 1-day or 10-day vignette may be the simplest online option.
Always check the displayed valid-from date before paying.
Where Can You Buy an Austrian Vignette?
The safest option is the official ASFINAG Toll Shop.
Vignettes are also available through:
- the ASFINAG mobile app;
- petrol stations;
- ÖAMTC;
- ARBÖ;
- authorised sales partners.
When purchasing a digital vignette, carefully check the vehicle registration number and country of registration. A typing error can mean that the system does not recognise your vehicle as having a valid vignette.
Are All Austrian Motorways Covered by the Vignette?
No.
Several particularly expensive Alpine motorway sections use a separate section toll — Streckenmaut.
ASFINAG explains that these sections include costly tunnels and mountain infrastructure and are therefore financed through separate charges.
Austria currently has section-toll routes on:
- A9 Pyhrn Motorway – Bosruck Tunnel
- A9 Pyhrn Motorway – Gleinalm Tunnel
- A10 Tauern Motorway – Tauern/Katschberg route
- A11 Karawanken Motorway – Karawanken Tunnel
- A13 Brenner Motorway
- S16 Arlberg Expressway – Arlberg Tunnel
These six section-toll areas are shown separately on ASFINAG’s official toll map.
Do You Need Both a Vignette and a Section Toll?
It depends on your route.
The actual section subject to the special toll is generally excluded from the vignette requirement, but you may still travel over other Austrian motorways before or after reaching it.
For example, your journey might therefore require:
Austrian vignette + section toll.
ASFINAG provides an official Toll Planner that calculates which toll products are required for a specific route.
How Do You Pay Austrian Section Tolls?
Section tolls can normally be paid:
- online in advance;
- using the ASFINAG app;
- with Digital Section Toll FLEX;
- at the toll station.
With a digital section toll, the vehicle registration number is stored electronically and compatible toll lanes can recognise the vehicle automatically.
Unlike some digital vignette products, ASFINAG states that digital section-toll products can be valid immediately.
What Happens If You Drive Without a Vignette?
Austria uses automatic and manual controls to check whether vehicles have valid toll products.
Driving on a motorway requiring a vignette without one can result in a replacement toll and potentially much larger administrative penalties.
ASFINAG warns that violations can ultimately result in fines of up to €3,000.
Buying a vignette after you have already driven on a toll road does not normally erase the earlier violation.
For that reason, purchase and activate the correct toll product before entering the motorway.
Austrian Motorway Speed Limits
For ordinary passenger cars and motorcycles, the standard limits are:
| Road | General speed limit |
|---|---|
| Built-up areas | 50 km/h |
| Roads outside built-up areas | 100 km/h |
| Dual carriageways | 100 km/h |
| Motorways | 130 km/h |
These are general maximum limits. Lower limits displayed on traffic signs always take priority.
On certain Austrian transit motorways, a 110 km/h night limit applies between 22:00 and 05:00, including specified sections of the A10, A12, A13 and A14.
Variable speed limits are also common, particularly around cities, tunnels and areas covered by environmental restrictions.
Alcohol Limit in Austria
For most drivers, the legal blood-alcohol limit is below 0.5‰.
A much lower limit of 0.1‰ or less applies to certain categories, including some novice and young drivers.
The safest choice when driving is therefore to avoid alcohol entirely.
Winter Tyres in Austria
Winter equipment regulations are especially important because many Austrian roads cross mountainous areas.
Between 1 November and 15 April, cars and trucks up to 3.5 tonnes must use winter tyres on all wheels when roads have winter conditions such as:
- snow;
- slush;
- ice.
As an alternative under suitable conditions, snow chains can be fitted to at least two driven wheels when the road is covered by a sufficiently continuous layer of snow or ice.
Drivers travelling into Alpine regions should also watch for road signs requiring snow chains.
Emergency Corridor – Rettungsgasse
Austria has strict rules for creating an emergency corridor when motorway traffic begins to queue.
On a two-lane motorway:
Left lane → move left
Right lane → move right
On a motorway with three or more lanes, the emergency corridor is created between the far-left lane and all other lanes.
The corridor must be created as soon as congestion starts forming, not only when an ambulance or police vehicle appears.
Failure to form the emergency corridor can result in fines, and significantly higher penalties are possible if emergency vehicles are obstructed.
Using a Mobile Phone While Driving
Drivers must not hold and use a mobile phone while driving. Hands-free use is permitted under the applicable rules.
Austria enforces distracted-driving rules, so it is advisable to set navigation before starting your journey.
Equipment to Carry in the Car
Drivers in Austria should carry appropriate mandatory safety equipment.
For ordinary passenger vehicles this includes:
- warning triangle;
- first-aid kit;
- reflective safety vest.
The reflective vest should be easily accessible rather than stored underneath luggage in the boot.
Safety Distance on Austrian Motorways
Drivers must maintain enough distance to stop safely if the vehicle ahead brakes suddenly.
Austria treats extremely close tailgating seriously. At motorway speeds, very short gaps may lead not only to fines but also to driving-licence consequences.
A useful practical rule is to leave at least a two-second gap in normal dry conditions and substantially more in rain, snow or poor visibility.
Driving Through Austrian Tunnels
Austria has many long road tunnels, particularly through the Alps.
When entering a tunnel:
- switch on the required lights;
- obey the displayed speed limit;
- keep a safe distance;
- never reverse or make a U-turn;
- pay attention to emergency exits;
- tune into tunnel information broadcasts where indicated.
Speed cameras and automatic traffic-control systems are common on Austrian motorway routes.
Can You Avoid the Austrian Vignette?
Sometimes.
You do not need an Austrian motorway vignette simply because you enter Austria. The requirement applies when you use roads that are subject to the vignette system.
It is theoretically possible to travel using ordinary regional and local roads instead.
However, avoiding motorways can add significant time, particularly when travelling across the Alps.
Your navigation app should therefore be configured to avoid toll roads if you do not have a vignette.
Austria Motorway Checklist
Before driving onto an Austrian motorway, check:
- [ ] Is your vehicle under or over 3.5 tonnes?
- [ ] Does your route require a vignette?
- [ ] Is the vignette already valid?
- [ ] Does the route include a separately tolled tunnel or Alpine section?
- [ ] Is your registration number correct on the digital vignette?
- [ ] Do you have appropriate winter equipment when required?
- [ ] Do you have a warning triangle, first-aid kit and reflective vest?
- [ ] Do you know how to create a Rettungsgasse?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is an Austrian vignette in 2026?
For cars up to 3.5 tonnes, the official 2026 prices are €9.60 for 1 day, €12.80 for 10 days, €32.00 for 2 months and €106.80 for the annual vignette.
Can I buy an Austrian vignette online?
Yes. Digital vignettes can be purchased through the official ASFINAG Toll Shop and ASFINAG app.
Can I buy an Austrian vignette for immediate use?
Yes. The digital 1-day and 10-day vignettes can be activated immediately. Private consumers purchasing a 2-month or annual digital vignette online should pay attention to the 18-day rule.
Is the Austrian vignette valid for the Brenner Motorway?
The A13 Brenner Motorway is a section-toll route. A separate section toll applies to the relevant route. Other motorway sections used to reach it may still require a vignette.
Do trailers need a separate vignette?
For the ordinary Austrian vignette system, a trailer towed by a vehicle up to 3.5 tonnes does not require its own separate vignette. The relevant rules for the towing vehicle and vehicle combination still apply.
What is the motorway speed limit in Austria?
For ordinary passenger cars, the general motorway limit is 130 km/h, unless signs specify a lower speed.
Final Advice
Driving in Austria is straightforward once you understand the toll system.
For most tourists travelling by car, the key rules are simple: buy the correct vignette before entering a toll motorway, check whether your route includes a separately tolled Alpine section, obey Austria’s 130 km/h general motorway limit and always create an emergency corridor when traffic begins to queue.
Before travelling, check your route with ASFINAG’s official Toll Planner because toll sections, temporary restrictions and route conditions can change.