Road Tolls and Vignettes – Austria [2025]

When planning international travel, whether by truck or passenger car, it’s essential to account for potential road tolls in the country you’re passing through. This is exactly the case in Austria, where both vignettes (for vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tons) and tolls (for those over 3.5 tons) are mandatory.

Want to know the current toll and vignette rates in Austria for 2025, along with the most important legal requirements? You’ll find all the answers in this article.

🔷 Table of contents

Road tolls for vehicles over 3.5 tons

Toll rates for 2025

How to pay tolls for trucks

Vignettes for cars and other vehicles under 3.5 tons

Vignette prices in 2025

List of additionally tolled sections

Toll-free motorway sections in Austria

Toll System in Austria

Austria operates a road toll system that applies to both – Austrian motorways and expressways. The setup is relatively straightforward and covers passenger vehicles, motorcycles and other vehicles up to 3.5 tons, as well as all vehicles over 3.5 tons.

Toll system in Austria – types of charges

Austria applies two main types of tolls: one for heavier vehicles and one in the form of vignettes. Below is a clear classification of both:

1. Road tolls – apply to vehicles with a total technically permissible mass over 3.5 tonnes, such as trucks and buses.
2. Vignettes – required for vehicles under 3.5 tonnes, such as passenger cars, motorcycles and light commercial vehicles. These are available as either a sticker or in electronic format.

There’s also a separate section-based toll for selected routes – mainly tunnels on motorways – where neither a vignette nor the standard toll applies. In those cases, a specific ticket for the segment must be purchased.

Importantly, as of 1 December 2023, Austria no longer classifies vehicles by their gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR/DMC) but by technically permissible maximum laden mass (tzGm). However, vehicles registered in the toll system before that date and considered below 3.5 tonnes DMC (but now exceeding 3.5 tonnes tzGm) are subject to a transition period until 31 January 2029. Until then, they remain eligible for vignette usage.

It’s also worth noting that Austria has motorway sections exempt from vignette requirements, though this exemption does not apply to vehicles over 3.5 tonnes.

Current toll rates for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes

Vehicles exceeding 3.5 tonnes are required to pay tolls according to the official rates set for the given year. These rates vary depending on the specific characteristics of the vehicle and apply to motorways and expressways.

Toll charges depend on:

• the number of axles,
• the number of kilometers traveled,
• the EURO emissions class (CO₂ classification).

Current toll rates for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes

As of January 2025, the toll rates in Austria (excluding 20% VAT) per kilometer for trucks over 3.5 tonnes (as well as motorhomes in the same weight category) are as follows:

Toll rates for buses are available HERE >>>

Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes – how to pay tolls

Austria’s toll system for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes uses DSRC technology (Dedicated Short Range Communication), which enables toll payments via on-board units (OBU).

Drivers can choose to use the local GO-Box, which supports the Austrian system, or opt for devices like the HOGS Toll Box, which covers Austria along with many other European countries. The latter eliminates the need for multiple OBUs when driving internationally.

Electronic toll collection with GO-Box

In Austria, the primary device for calculating tolls for trucks and other vehicles (including motorhomes) over 3.5 tonnes is the GO-Box.

To use it, you need to register with the official system and order a GO-Box device, which must then be installed inside the vehicle according to the provided instructions. All necessary information is available HERE >>>

Tolls are automatically charged as the vehicle passes through toll gantries on Austria’s motorways and expressways.

HOGS Toll Box

The HOGS Toll Box is a device designed to automate toll payments across Europe. It allows you to pay tolls in multiple countries without needing separate devices for each system.

An additional advantage is the simplified management of toll charges for fleets of heavy vehicles. In this way, the HOGS Toll Box helps optimize the toll settlement process for motorways bridges and tunnels.

The device is compatible with numerous toll collection systems used across various European countries, including Poland, Austria, Spain, Germany, France, Portugal and Italy. The HOGS Toll Box ensures convenience and saves valuable time by eliminating the need to use multiple toll systems. As a result, managing toll payments becomes significantly simpler.

Vignettes for vehicles up to 3.5 tons – types

Depending on how long you plan to stay in Austria or how often you use the Austrian motorways, you can choose from several available vignette types.

The color of the vignette changes every year – in 2025, it is sea green. This color-coding system was introduced to make it easier to identify the validity of a vignette at a glance.

The following vignette types are available for purchase in 2025:

• 1-Day Vignette: This option is ideal for those planning a short, one-day trip through Austria. Note that the 1-day vignette is available exclusively online. It is valid for one calendar day – not 24 hours from the time of purchase. Its validity ends at 11:59 PM on the day of use.
• 10-Day Vignette: A very popular option among tourists. It allows for 10 consecutive days of motorway use starting from the validity date selected.
• 2-Month Vignette: A convenient choice for those planning a longer stay or several trips within a two-month period.
• Annual Vignette: The best option for those who frequently travel on Austrian motorways. The annual vignette is valid from December 1 of the previous year until January 31 of the following year – a total of 14 months.

Please note: If you purchase a 2-month or annual vignette online as a private individual, its validity starts 18 days after purchase, due to Austrian consumer protection laws. Vignettes purchased by companies become active immediately.

Where can you buy a vignette for Austria?

You can purchase an Austrian vignette in two ways: in person (as a sticker) or online (as a digital vignette). Each driver can choose the option that is most convenient for them.

Purchasing a digital vignette for Austria

The most convenient way to obtain a digital vignette, which is linked to the vehicle’s license plate number, is online. You can buy one via the official ASFiNAG web shop, among others. As mentioned earlier, if purchased as a private individual, the vignette becomes valid 18 days after purchase, due to Austrian consumer protection law.

Purchasing a (toll sticker) traditional vignette for Austria

The vignette toll sticker can be bought at many physical sales points, such as petrol stations, shops, Austrian automobile clubs, near border crossings and at traveler service points. This type of vignette can become valid immediately upon purchase.

Types of Vignettes – Electronic vs. Traditional sticker

Both the electronic vignette and the traditional sticker version have their own advantages and disadvantages. It’s worth understanding their specifics to decide which option works best for your needs.

Electronic Vignette

Purchasing a digital vignette is very convenient — simply use the official ASFiNAG webshop (a Polish version is available), or another platform offering this service. After payment, you’ll receive a proof of purchase, which is advisable to keep in case of a roadside check or doubts from an inspecting officer. The vehicle’s license plate number is automatically recorded in the system, eliminating any risk of losing the vignette.

When buying online, there’s also no need to stick or later remove anything from the car windshield.

The downside is the 18-day waiting period for activation if you purchase a 2-month or annual vignette. However, this only applies to private individuals who do not buy the vignette on behalf of a company.

You can find more details about the electronic vignette HERE >>>.

Traditional Sticker Vignette

A vignette purchased in sticker form must be affixed to the inside of the vehicle’s windshield — preferably in the upper left corner or behind the rearview mirror. However, it must not be obscured by the tinted strip at the top of the glass.

A major advantage of traditional sticker vignettes is that their validity can begin immediately, even for the 2-month or annual versions. A downside, however, is the need to remove the vignette afterward, which may sometimes leave adhesive residue on the windshield.

Vignette prices in 2025

In 2025, there were changes to vignette pricing. For passenger cars, the current rates are as follows:

• 1-day vignette: €9.30
• 10-day vignette: €12.40
• 2-month vignette: €31.10
• Annual vignette: €103.80

You can always check the current rates on the official ASFiNAG website.

Additional road tolls for all vehicles

In addition to standard vignettes and road tolls, Austria also imposes special tolls for certain sections of motorways and one expressway. These additional charges mainly apply to high-maintenance infrastructure such as tunnels in mountainous areas.

Vignettes are not valid on these sections. Drivers of vehicles under 3.5 tonnes must pay what is called a section toll (Elektronische Streckenmaut). Despite the name, payment can be made either electronically or at physical toll points.

For vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, tolls for these roads are automatically charged through an on-board unit (GO-Box or HOGS Toll Box, for example).

List of toll sections in Austria in 2025

Section tolls must be paid on the following five routes:

• A9 Pyhrn Motorway – tolls apply for the Bosruck Tunnel and Gleinalm Tunnel
• A10 Tauern Motorway – tolls apply for the Tauern Tunnel and Katschberg Tunnel
• A11 Karawanken Motorway – tolls apply for the Karawanken Tunnel
• A13 Brenner Motorway – tolls apply for the entire A13 motorway
• S16 Arlberg Expressway – tolls apply for the Arlberg Tunnel

How to pay section tolls and types of tickets

As mentioned earlier, section tolls in Austria can be paid both traditionally and online. There are also different types of section toll tickets available depending on your travel needs.

Payment methods:

• Manual payment – at toll booths located at the entrances to toll road sections (applies to vehicles under 3.5 tonnes).
• Electronic payment – via the FLEX toll system or by purchasing a multi-trip pass (also for vehicles under 3.5 tonnes).
• On-board unit (OBU) – tolls are automatically charged using a GO-Box or devices like the HOGS Toll Box (applies to vehicles over 3.5 tonnes).

Types of section toll tickets:

• Single trip ticket – this ticket is valid for one-time use on a specific toll section in one direction. It can be used within one year from the date of purchase.
• Multi-trip pass – allows unlimited use of a chosen toll section for 365 days from the start date for a one-time fee.
• FLEX electronic section toll – after registering on the ASFINAG website, the toll is automatically charged (e.g., from a linked payment card) every time you drive through a FLEX toll section. No need to buy individual tickets.

Toll-Free motorway sections in Austria

As of January 2025, there are four motorway sections in Austria where vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tonnes are exempt from the vignette requirement.

Unfortunately, vehicles over 3.5 tonnes are not eligible for this exemption and must pay regular tolls based on the current pricing for motorways and expressways.

These toll-free sections for so-called “light vehicles” are primarily located near Austria’s borders. They include:

• A1 Westautobahn – between the Walserberg border crossing and the Salzburg Nord junction,
• A12 Inntalautobahn – between the Kufstein border crossing and the Kufstein-Süd junction,
• A14 Rheintal/Walgau Autobahn – between the Hörbranz border crossing and the Hohenems junction,
• A26 Linzer Autobahn (still under construction) – the vignette requirement is expected to take effect the day after it connects with the A7 Mühlkreis via the Linz-Hummelhof junction.

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Checks and penalties for driving without a valid vignette or toll payment

In Austria, road tolls are taken seriously — and the authorities enforce them strictly. Any driver using toll roads without settling the appropriate charges (such as failing to purchase a route-specific ticket) risks financial penalties in the form of substantial fines.

Regular inspections are carried out on roads and parking areas. These checks are handled by a monitoring system that includes cameras and mobile devices capable of reading vehicle license plates. The equipment is regularly moved to new locations to ensure drivers comply with regulations across the entire network.

Drivers of passenger vehicles without a valid vignette may be fined €120. If the fine is not paid immediately during the check or the driver avoids payment, the penalty may increase to between €300 and €3,000.

Operators of vehicles over 3.5 tonnes who fail to pay tolls via the appropriate on-board unit (OBU), or attempt to commit toll fraud, also face fines ranging from several hundred to several thousand euros.

How to avoid fines – best practices

To avoid financial penalties related to tolls and vignettes in Austria, it’s essential to follow a few important guidelines:

• Always purchase your vignette in advance.
• Double-check the expiration date and monitor the validity period carefully.
• Keep proof of purchase — in case of any issues during a roadside check, it will serve as additional confirmation that you’ve paid the required toll or vignette fee.
• For vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, ensure the on-board unit (OBU) is functioning correctly and recording trips, as this determines proper toll calculation in Austria.
• Avoid using toll roads and tunnels without a valid vignette or without paying the necessary fees — roadside checks are frequent in Austria and fines can be severe.

Summary

Traveling on Austrian roads — whether for personal or commercial purposes — requires proper preparation, especially when it comes to tolls and vignettes. The toll system is relatively user-friendly, but it’s important to understand the key rules.

Ensuring your vignette is valid at all times is crucial. And if you’re using an on-board unit for heavy goods vehicles, check that it’s operational and recording your trips correctly.

Roadside checks on toll routes in Austria are common and it’s always better to be safe than face an unnecessary fine.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How far in advance should I buy an Austrian vignette online?

It’s best to buy the vignette well in advance of your trip — especially if you’re purchasing it online as a private individual. In such cases, both annual and two-month vignettes become valid only 18 days after purchase.

If you need the vignette to be valid immediately, it’s better to buy a physical sticker at a retail point.

The 18-day waiting period does not apply when purchasing on behalf of a company — in that case, the vignette becomes valid immediately.

Can I buy a 1-day vignette in Austria?

Yes, a 1-day vignette is available. It is valid until the end of the day it was purchased for, not for 24 hours from the time of purchase.

Can I transfer an Austrian vignette to another vehicle?

No. Vignettes are single-use and tied to a specific vehicle. Attempting to use a transferred vignette on another car may result in a heavy fine if discovered during a roadside check.

How can I check the validity of my electronic vignette in Austria?

You can check the validity of your electronic vignette (purchased for passenger vehicles) on the ASFiNAG website by entering your vehicle’s license plate number.

Can I pay section tolls in Austria using traditional methods?

Yes, additional tolls for special motorway sections and tunnels in Austria can be paid manually at toll booths. Accepted payment methods include cash and credit/debit cards.