Like Germany, Austria has also created several low-emission zones and has gradually increased the environmental requirements for vehicles entering them. Some zones were created as early as 2012, for example around Vienna, while others only came into effect in 2014. Let’s take a look at the list of low-emission zones in Austria, indicating when they were created and the types of vehicles that are prohibited from entering them. Do you have a class N vehicle? (Restrictions: see below.) In order to be allowed to drive in the following low-emission zones, vehicles must be marked with a fine sticker, otherwise you can be fined up to 2,180 euros.
Austria is gradually introducing new low emission zones, so it is possible that some areas are not included in our list. There are currently no road signs in Austria indicating the zones. Therefore, we recommend that you check your route before traveling to Austria and compare it with the low emission zone map. To be on the safe side, you can purchase an environmental card now – it is valid indefinitely.
Environmental zones in Vienna and the surrounding area
Types of environmental stickers required in Vienna: Yellow sticker – Euro 3 and above
Violations can result in fines of up to €2,180.
Vienna is planning to gradually restrict access to its low-emission zone. If you have a commercial vehicle (class N1) or any truck, you need an Austrian environmental badge (“Umwelt-Pickerl”) to be allowed to enter Vienna’s low-emission zone.
From July 1, 2014
Restrictions for vehicles of classes N1, N2 and N3 with emission class EURO 0 and EURO 1. Entry is permitted for vehicles with emission class EURO 2 or higher.- Restrictions for vehicles of classes N1, N2 and N3 with emission class EURO 0 and EURO 1. Entry is permitted for vehicles with emission class EURO 2 or higher.
From January 1, 2016
Restrictions for vehicles of classes N1, N2 and N3 with emission class EURO 2. Entry is permitted for vehicles with emission class EURO 3 or higher.
The sticker is valid indefinitely and must be attached to the lower right corner of the windshield.
Ecological zones in Burgenland
Required types of environmental stickers in Burgenland: Yellow sticker – Euro 3 and above
There is currently a ban on entry into the Burgenland environmental zone for trucks registered in Austria or abroad with an emission class of EURO 2 or below.
From October 1, 2017
– Restrictions for trucks; Access is only allowed to vehicles with emission class EURO 2 and above.
From October 1, 2018
– Restrictions for trucks; Access is only allowed to vehicles with emission class EURO 3 and above.
Violations will be punishable by a fine of up to 2,180 euros.
The sticker is valid indefinitely and must be attached to the lower right corner of the windshield.
Styria Ecological Zone
Required types of environmental stickers in Styria: Yellow sticker – Euro 3 and above
The restriction applies to some regions of the state : Graz and its surroundings, Murtal, Bruck-Mürzuschlag, Leoben, Deutschlandsberg, Hartberg-Fürstenfeld, Leibniz, Voitsberg and Weiz.
From June 1, 2012
– Restrictions for vehicles of category N (lorries with a permissible total mass of over 7.5 tonnes and first registered before 1992, including articulated vehicles and vehicles with trailers) with emission class EURO 0. Access is permitted with emission class Euro 1 or higher.
From January 1, 2013
– Restrictions for vehicles of category N (lorries with a maximum permissible mass exceeding 7.5 tonnes, including articulated vehicles and vehicles with trailers) with emission class EURO 1. Access is permitted with emission class EURO 2 or higher.
From January 1, 2014
– Restrictions for vehicles of category N (lorries with a maximum permissible mass exceeding 7.5 tonnes, including articulated vehicles and vehicles with trailers) with emission class EURO 2. Access is permitted with emission class EURO 3 or higher.
The sticker is valid indefinitely and must be attached to the lower right corner of the windshield.
Upper Austria Ecological Zone
Required types of environmental stickers in Upper Austria (A1 motorway): Yellow sticker – Euro 3 and above
Validity of environmental zones in Upper Austria (A1 motorway)
The restrictions apply to a 20-kilometer stretch of motorway near the city of Linz and are expected to be extended to other sections. If you have a truck over 3.5 tons, it must be marked with an Austrian environmental sticker.
From 01.07.2016
– Restrictions for vehicles of categories N1, N2 and N3 weighing more than 3.5 tonnes and with emission class EURO 0, EURO 1 or EURO 2. Access is only allowed for vehicles with emission class EURO 3 and above.
Violations will be punishable by a fine of up to 2,180 euros.
Environmental zone Autobahn A 12 – Tyrol
Required types of environmental stickers on the A 12 motorway – Tyrol: Green sticker – Euro 4 and above
Expiration date of environmental zones on the A 12 Autobahn – Tyrol
On the A12 motorway between kilometer 6.35 near the village of Langkampfen and kilometer 90 near Zirl, restrictions apply in both directions for trucks over 7.5 tons.
emission limits
From 01.05.2017 – access is allowed only for vehicles with emission class EURO 3 and above.
From December 31, 2017 – stricter conditions – only trucks with emission class EURO 4 and above are allowed to pass.
From December 31, 2022, it is planned to ban the passage of all vehicles of emission classes 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4.
restrictions at night
At night, only trucks with emission class EURO 6 are allowed. The restriction for night hours is as follows:
Winter period: 01.11. to 30 April
- Monday to Friday from 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM, Sunday and weekends from 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM.
Summer period: 01.05. to 31 October
- Monday to Friday from 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM, Sunday and weekends from 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM.
speed limit
In addition, speed limits apply during these night hours.
– Car: 110 km/h
– Buses: 90 km/h
Violations will be punishable by a fine of up to 2,180 euros.