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Austrian Vignette: what it is and how to buy it
Cost, validity, and practical information about the Austrian 'Vignette'
How does the highway toll system work in Austria?
The 'Vignette' is the mandatory sticker required to travel on highways and expressways in Austria. Like Switzerland, Slovenia, Czech Republic and other countries, Austria does not have toll booths for payment, but instead charges drivers an advance fee for using the service.
The sticker can be easily purchased both at authorized points of sale and online and, for a reasonable cost, allows unlimited travel by car, motorcycle, or camper on the highway network.
For heavy vehicles - buses, truck trains, and campers over 3.5 tons - a new toll payment method has been in effect since January 1, 2004, replacing the vignette. It's called GO-Box and works similarly to the Telepass toll system..
Where can I buy the vignette for Austria?
For those coming from Italy, the Austrian vignette is available, in the form of an adhesive sticker, at gas stations near the border or at provincial ACI offices. In Austria, it is available at authorized points of sale:
- Touring Club and Automobile Club (ÖAMTC, ARBÖ);
- insurance company offices (Allianz, Elementar, EA Generali);
- post offices;
- gas stations;
- tobacco shops.
The highway sticker for Austria is also available in digital version. The electronic Vignette can be purchased online from the ASFINAG highway website, or via app and will only be valid 18 days after purchase. Those who buy the Vignette on the ADAC highway company website, however, can decide whether to start the validity of the permit on the day of purchase, or by selecting their preferred date. This is a convenient option especially for those traveling for tourism and have organized travel stages. Other official portals where you can buy the digital Austrian vignette are Autopay Mobility and Kappsch Trafficcom, which put it on sale from December of the year preceding the one of entry into force.
In summary, the Austrian vignette is the mandatory sticker required to use highways and expressways without incurring penalties. It can be purchased at physical points of sale in Italy or Austria, or online in electronic format. The purchase method affects neither the price nor the validity.
How much does the Austrian Vignette cost?
Every year the Austrian vignette has a different graphic color and generally undergoes a price adjustment. Its cost depends on two factors: the duration of the badge and the type of vehicle for which it is purchased.
- Annual (from December 1st of the previous year to January 31st of the following year)
Motor vehicles (max weight up to 3.5 t) € 96.40
Two-wheeled vehicles € 38.20 - Bimonthly
Motor vehicles (max weight up to 3.5 t) € 29.00
Two-wheeled vehicles € 14.50 - 10 days
Motor vehicles (max weight up to 3.5 t) € 9.90
Two-wheeled vehicles € 5.80
Unlike Switzerland, Austria does not require an extra vignette for caravans, as the one for the towing vehicle is sufficient. The same principle applies to motorcycles with sidecars.
Where should the Vignette be attached for traveling in Austria?
For the Vignette in Austria, there are very specific rules not only about its mandatory nature but also about the correct methods of use. So much so that placing it incorrectly or altering the sticker is considered equivalent to not purchasing it at all and exposes you to the risk of hefty fines.
Here are the guidelines on using the Austria vignette according to ÖAMTC (Austrian Automobile and Motorcycle Touring Club):
- on cars, the Vignette must be attached to the inside of the windshield, in the upper left corner, or in the center near the rearview mirror and in any case in a clearly visible position;
- for vehicles approved without a windshield, it is sufficient to carry a valid Austria Vignette with you and show it when needed;
- on motorcycles, it must be applied to a part that cannot be removed and is easily readable for inspections.
Upon request, the ÖAMTC provides a specific FixItEasy adhesive and a vignette holder for motorcycles.
Useful tips for traveling on highways in Austria
As mentioned, the use of the vignette in Austria and its application on the vehicle are strictly regulated. Controls are frequent both on the road, through mobile patrols, and remotely through extensive remote video monitoring.
Here is some information to keep in mind for safe travel on roads and highways in Austria:
- remember to purchase the Vignette online or at roadside points of sale before accessing toll highways and expressways. Those traveling without a sticker, or not following the correct usage methods, risk a fine from €120 up to a maximum of €3,000;
- no more than 2 vignettes should be present on the windshield at the same time. This is why all expired ones must be removed;
- the Vignette cannot be detached and reused because it has an anti-counterfeiting watermark that makes any detached Vignette recognizable;
- the lower part of the sticker, with the serial number, is the proof of purchase to be kept and is used to request a duplicate in case of accidental damage to the windshield;
- the environmental sticker in Austria (Umwelt-Pickerl) is mandatory exclusively for vehicles classified in categories N1 to N3;
- for drivers, the blood alcohol limit is 0.049%. If the rate is between 0.05 and 0.079%, you are subject to a heavy monetary penalty. Above 0.079%, in addition to the fine, your license will be revoked;
- regarding speed limits, they are similar to Italian ones: 50 km/h in urban areas, 100 km/h on major roads outside urban areas; 130 km/h on highways, but on some stretches the limit is reduced to 110 km/h from 10 PM to 5 AM.