Are you travelling to Austria by car? If so, you’ll need a vignette on most Austrian motorways and expressways. Fortunately, getting a vignette for Austria isn’t complicated. You can choose between a digital vignette or the traditional sticker vignette, and depending on the length of your journey, you can buy a vignette valid for 1 day, 10 days, 2 months or a year. However, there are a few things you need to bear in mind. For example, a digital vignette isn’t always valid straight away, and on some routes you’ll have to pay a separate section toll in addition to your vignette. In this blog, we explain step by step which vignette you need, how much it costs and where you can buy it securely.
General information about Austria
Are you planning a trip to Austria? If so, why not take a look at our tips for the best travel time, the daily budget, travel advice and which travel documents you need. Here you’ll find all the practical information about Austria.
1. Do you need a vignette for Austria?
Yes, if you are driving a car, motorbike or other vehicle weighing up to 3,500 kg on Austrian motorways and expressways, you will need a valid vignette.
2. What types of vignettes are available for Austria?
For cars weighing up to 3,500 kg, you will be able to choose from four different vignettes in 2026:
| Vignette | Validity | Car price 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1-day vignette | 1 calendar day | €9,60 |
| 10-day vignette | 10 consecutive calendar days | €12,80 |
| 2-month vignette | 2 months | €32,00 |
| Annual vignette | up to 14 months | €106,80 |
For most holidays from the Netherlands, it will 10-day vignette or 2-month vignette are the most interesting.
Tip: always check your travel dates carefully. Sometimes, two 10-day vignettes work out cheaper than a 2-month vignette. For 2026, two 10-day vignettes together cost €25.60, whilst a 2-month vignette costs €32.00.
Where can you buy a vignette for Austria?
The easiest way is to arrange your vignette directly via ASFINAG, the official Austrian operator of motorways and toll roads. You can buy a digital vignette and register your number plate via the official toll shop. You do not then need to stick a sticker on your windscreen: during checks, your number plate can be used to verify whether a valid digital vignette is linked to your vehicle.
You can also buy a vignette from various official sales outlets and authorised retailers. When travelling, for example, self-adhesive vignettes are available at various petrol stations and sales outlets in and around Austria.
Please note: there are all sorts of websites online that sell Austrian vignettes and sometimes charge extra service fees for them. You should therefore always check carefully who you are buying from. We would recommend ordering directly from ASFINAG or an authorised sales outlet.
Digital vignette or sticker vignette?
For most travellers, we find the digital vignette the easiest option. You buy it online in advance and the vignette is linked to your number plate. That means you don’t have to worry about a thing whilst on the road. The traditional sticker vignette is also still available. You stick this to the inside of your windscreen in accordance with the regulations.
As far as the vignette requirement is concerned, it doesn’t matter which option you choose, as long as you have a valid vignette when using a road subject to the vignette requirement. There is just one important difference to bear in mind when buying a digital vignette online: the start date. This is because some digital vignettes are only valid after 18 days. This is probably the main pitfall when buying an Austrian vignette online.
As a consumer, do you buy directly from ASFINAG: a digital 2-month vignette or annual vignette? In that case, if you buy it online, it will only become valid from the 18th day after purchase. This is due to the statutory right of withdrawal for consumers. This waiting period does not apply to the digital 1-day vignette and 10-day vignette. You can also purchase these via ASFINAG with immediate validity.
So, are you heading to Austria tomorrow and need a 10-day vignette? If so, you can still arrange this online. Do you need a 2-month or annual vignette and are you setting off within 18 days? If so, check the options at an official sales point or authorised sales partner where this waiting period does not apply.
Please note: when placing your order, always check the selected start date and your registration number carefully. A small typing error can cause a lot of hassle later on. Also, please bear in mind: some digital vignettes are only valid after 18 days!
Where should you stick the Austrian vignette?
Have you opted for a physical sticker? If so, you’ll need to attach it to the inside of the windscreen Affix it in a place that is clearly visible from the outside. Do not stick the vignette onto a tinted section of the windscreen and ensure that it is fully secured to the windscreen. Therefore, do not use adhesive tape, cling film or any other aids to temporarily attach the vignette. A vignette that has not been affixed correctly may be considered invalid. You should therefore always check before setting off that the vignette is clearly visible and has been affixed correctly.
Please note: 2026 is the last year in which the physical vignette will be available. From 2027, the Austrian vignette will be entirely digital.
Do you need a vignette for Kufstein?
Not always! Are you travelling from Germany and is Kufstein your final destination? If so, you can drive along the A12 from the German border to the Kufstein-Süd exit without an Austrian vignette. This section is exempt from the vignette requirement. That makes Kufstein a great destination if you’re travelling from the Netherlands or Germany towards Tyrol.
Are you continuing on the A12 past Kufstein-Süd towards Innsbruck, for example? If so, you’ll be entering a section of the motorway where a vignette is required, and you’ll need a valid vignette.
Tip: we visited Kufstein in the summer and were pleasantly surprised by both the town and the beautiful surroundings. Fancy finding out what there is to do here? Then take a look at our blog featuring The best sights and tips for Kufstein.
Read also: Car holiday in Austria: everything you need to know before you set off
Read also: What to do in Kufstein? The best sights and tips
3. Apart from the vignette, are there any toll roads in Austria?
Yes. This is something that sometimes causes confusion. An Austrian motorway vignette does not automatically mean that all motorways, tunnels and mountain passes are then free of charge. For a number of specific routes, you have to pay separate route toll. This applies, amongst other things, to parts of the:
- A9 Pyhrn Motorway
- A10 Tauern Motorway
- A11 Karawanken Motorway
- A13 Brenner Motorway
- S16 Arlberg Expressway
Which section toll you need therefore depends entirely on your route. Fortunately, ASFINAG has a handy toll planner for this. Enter your route and you’ll see which toll products you’ll need along the way. Especially if you’re driving to Austria for the first time, we think this is a handy way to check before you set off.
Tip: would you like to know which toll roads there are, how much they cost and how to pay for route-based tolls? Then take a look at our comprehensive blog post on toll roads in Austria.
4. What are you required to take with you in the car when travelling to Austria?
As well as a valid motorway toll sticker, there are a few other things you need to check before setting off. In Austria, you must have, amongst other things, a warning triangle, high-visibility vest and a suitable first-aid kit carry with you. In the event of a breakdown or an accident, the driver must put on the high-visibility vest before leaving the car.
We would therefore advise you to check before setting off that everything is still in the car and that your first-aid kit is still complete and in working order. This will prevent you from having to search for the right items just before you reach the border.
Handy for when you’re out and about:
→ Safety vest for use in the car
→ Hazard triangle
→ First-aid kit / EHBO-set
→ Complete European driving holiday set
Don’t have everything you need at home yet? You can easily buy these items in advance via Bol.com Whether the ANWB Online Shop. That way, you can sort everything out before you set off and won’t have to go looking for the right safety equipment whilst you’re on the road.
5. Do you need winter tyres in Austria?
Are you travelling between 1 November and 15 April To Austria? Then bear in mind the regulations on winter tyres. During this period, winter tyres are compulsory for passenger cars and light vehicles weighing up to 3,500 kg in wintry conditions. Examples include snow, slush or ice on the road.
So it doesn’t mean you’re automatically required to have winter tyres between 1 November and 15 April, but still… it’s certainly a good idea. The requirement applies when there are actually wintry conditions, but of course you can never be sure. So, are you heading to Austria this winter? If so, we’d advise you to set off well prepared and check the current rules and weather conditions in advance.
6. Useful websites for your car journey to Austria
We do our best to keep the information in this blog as up to date as possible. However, rules regarding vignettes, toll roads and driving are subject to change. That is why we have also included links below to a number of official and useful websites where you can check the most up-to-date information just before you set off.
- ASFINAG: The main website for the Austrian vignette. Here you can buy a digital vignette, view current prices, check which roads require a vignette and use the toll planner to see whether you’ll need to pay section tolls along your route.
- Austrian government: Useful for official traffic regulations, such as those relating to winter tyres, high-visibility vests and compulsory equipment in the car.
- Royal Dutch Touring Club: The ANWB is useful for Dutch travellers because many Austrian traffic regulations explained in Dutch. You’ll also find information on fuel, tolls, winter equipment and other practical matters for a road trip.
7. Our tips for the Austrian vignette
Arranging a vignette for Austria sounds more complicated than it actually is. For most holidays, you only need to check a few things: how long you’ll be staying in Austria, on which days you’ll be using roads subject to the vignette charge, and whether your route includes a section for which you’ll have to pay an additional toll.
We recommend that you sort out your vignette before setting off. That way, you won’t have to search for a sales point whilst on the road, and you can be sure that everything is sorted as soon as you enter Austria. After purchase, double-check your registration number and the start date. And save the confirmation for your digital vignette on your phone, just to be on the safe side. Then? Get in the car, put on a good playlist and head for the mountains!
8. Frequently asked questions about the motorway toll sticker in Austria
1. Is a vignette compulsory in Austria?
On most Austrian motorways and expressways, a valid vignette is compulsory for cars, motorbikes and other vehicles weighing up to 3,500 kg. There are a few sections where this requirement does not apply.
2. Which vignette do I need for a one-week stay in Austria?
If you enter and leave Austria within ten consecutive calendar days via roads subject to the vignette requirement, a 10-day vignette is usually sufficient. Always check your exact travel dates.
3. Can you buy an Austrian motorway vignette at a petrol station?
Yes, vignettes are also available from various official outlets and petrol stations. When purchasing one, always check the date from which it is valid.
4. How do they check the vignette in Austria?
In Austria, checks are carried out both automatically and manually to ensure you have a valid vignette. With a digital vignette, this is done using your number plate. ASFINAG also carries out mobile checks. If you do not have a valid vignette when one is compulsory, you may be required to pay a replacement toll or, ultimately, a hefty fine.
5. Is there a digital vignette for Austria registered to the vehicle?
Yes. A digital vignette for Austria is linked to the registration number you provide at the time of purchase. This means you don’t need to stick anything on your windscreen with a digital vignette. When ordering, do make sure you’ve entered the correct registration number and country of registration.
6. What happens if you drive through Austria without a vignette?
Are you driving on a road where a vignette is compulsory without a valid vignette? If so, you risk being charged a substitute toll. If this is not paid correctly, administrative proceedings may follow, in which case the fine could amount to as much as €3,000, according to ASFINAG. You should therefore check that your vignette is valid before you drive onto an Austrian motorway or expressway.
7. What type of vignette do you need for a campervan in Austria?
That depends on the weight of your motorhome. For motorhomes with a technically authorised maximum mass of up to and including 3,500 kg, the standard vignette system applies on roads where a vignette is required. Does your motorhome have a technically permissible maximum mass of more than 3,500 kg? If so, it is subject to the kilometre-based GO toll system, so you do not need the standard vignette.
8. Can you buy a vignette for Austria whilst travelling?
Yes. You can buy an Austrian vignette on the road at various official sales points, including petrol stations and ASFINAG sales partners. If you’d rather not have to look for a sales outlet whilst on the road, you can arrange the digital vignette in advance via the official ASFINAG toll shop or the ASFINAG app.
9. How long is a vignette for Austria valid for?
You can choose between a 1-day, 10-day, 2-month or 1-year vignette. The 1-day vignette is valid for one calendar day and the 10-day vignette for ten consecutive calendar days. The annual vignette is valid for a maximum of 14 months: from 1 December of the previous year up to and including 31 January of the following year.
10. Can you check whether your digital vignette for Austria is valid?
Yes. You can use ASFINAG’s official validity check to verify, based on the registration number, whether a valid digital vignette is registered. We recommend checking this before you set off, especially if you purchased the vignette well in advance.
11. Can you still change the registration number on a digital vignette?
Yes, but this depends on when you wish to change the registration number. Before the effective date, you can still amend the registration number on ASFINAG products under certain conditions. Once the vignette is valid, the options are more limited. For example, with a valid annual vignette, a change may still be possible in certain situations. Always check ASFINAG’s current terms and conditions for this.
12. Will you still have a vignette sticker for Austria in 2027?
No. 2026 is the last year in which Austria will use the physical vignette sticker. From 2027 onwards, the Austrian vignette system will be fully digital. So if you’re travelling to Austria in 2027 or later, you will no longer need to stick a vignette on your windscreen.
13. Do you need a vignette if you’re only driving on local roads?
No, the Austrian vignette is intended for motorways and expressways where a vignette is compulsory. If you are driving exclusively on ordinary local and regional roads, you do not need a vignette. Please pay close attention to your route, as you must have a valid vignette as soon as you join a motorway or expressway where a vignette is compulsory.
Fortunately, arranging a vignette for Austria isn’t complicated. If you know in advance which vignette you need and check whether your route takes you along roads with additional section tolls, you’ll be all sorted in no time. Our advice: sort out your vignette in good time, check your registration number and start date carefully, and check the latest information on the ASFINAG website before you set off. This way, you’ll avoid any surprises on the road and can start your holiday in Austria feeling relaxed.
If you still have any questions after reading this blog, or if you’re unsure which vignette you need, please feel free to send us a message at Instagram, we are happy to think with you.
We try to keep this blog about the Austrian vignette as up to date as possible, but we can’t do this without your help. Has anything changed, or is any of the information no longer correct? Please let us know via info@thousandtravelmiles.nl.
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