You need a vignette only if you use Austrian motorways (Autobahnen) or expressways (Schnellstraßen) managed by ASFINAG. If you drive exclusively on B-roads (Bundesstraßen B) and regional roads (Landesstraßen L), no vignette is required. However, many main routes between Austrian cities use motorways, so most visitors will need one.
There are three validity options: 10 consecutive days, 2 months (60 days), or annual (approximately 14 months, from 1 December of the previous year to 31 January of the following year). The validity period starts from the date you select at purchase and cannot be paused or extended.
The vignette is a time-based road usage fee, not a distance-based toll. It gives you unlimited access to the covered motorway network for the validity period. Some specific road sections (mountain tunnels and passes) require additional section tolls (Streckenmaut) on top of the vignette. See our pricing page for details.
The vignette covers the majority of Austrian motorways, but not all. Several high-cost sections — primarily mountain tunnels and passes — require separate section tolls. Key examples include the Brenner Autobahn (A13), Tauern Autobahn (A10 section), Arlberg Tunnel, and Karawanken Tunnel. Always check your specific route before travel.
Yes, B-roads and regional roads do not require a vignette. However, this will significantly increase your journey time and is not practical for long-distance travel. Some GPS navigation systems offer "avoid motorways" routing options, but verify that the suggested route does not inadvertently include vignette-required roads.
Digital vignettes can be purchased online at the ASFINAG website (shop.asfinag.at) or via the ASFINAG app. Physical purchase points include petrol stations, ÖAMTC and ARBÖ offices, post offices, and tobacco shops (Tabak-Trafik) throughout Austria. Some petrol stations near border crossings in neighbouring countries also sell Austrian vignettes.
There are no dedicated vignette sales points at Austrian border crossings themselves. However, petrol stations near border crossings on both the Austrian and neighbouring country sides often sell Austrian vignettes. It is advisable to purchase before your journey to avoid delays. Digital vignettes can be purchased online at any time before travel.
Yes. Digital vignettes can be purchased up to 18 days in advance, with the start date selected at the time of purchase. Annual vignettes for the following year typically go on sale in November. Purchasing in advance is recommended to avoid last-minute issues.
Refunds are generally not available once the vignette validity period has started. For digital vignettes purchased in advance, it may be possible to request a cancellation before the start date — contact ASFINAG customer service directly. Sticker vignettes cannot be refunded once removed from their backing. Always verify the refund policy with ASFINAG before purchasing.
The digital vignette is registered in the ASFINAG database and linked to your vehicle's licence plate number. When you drive on a monitored motorway, licence plate recognition cameras automatically check whether a valid vignette is registered for your plate. No physical sticker is required, and no action is needed at motorway entry points.
If you enter an incorrect licence plate number, the vignette will be registered to the wrong plate and will not be valid for your vehicle. This is treated the same as having no vignette. Errors cannot be corrected after purchase. Contact ASFINAG customer service immediately if you notice an error — they may be able to assist in exceptional circumstances, but this is not guaranteed.
Digital vignettes become valid from midnight (00:00 CET) on the selected start date. If you select today's date, there is a processing delay of approximately 30 minutes before the vignette appears in the ASFINAG system. To be safe, purchase at least one hour before you plan to use the motorway, or purchase the previous day with the next day as the start date.
ASFINAG uses a combination of fixed licence plate recognition cameras at motorway entry points and mobile enforcement units. Digital vignettes are checked automatically. For sticker vignettes, mobile units visually inspect vehicles. Enforcement is active throughout Austria and is not limited to specific times or locations.
If you are stopped by enforcement officers, you will typically be offered the option to pay a reduced on-the-spot fine (Ersatzmaut) of EUR 120–240. If you refuse or cannot pay on the spot, formal proceedings may be initiated, which can result in fines of up to EUR 3,000. Foreign-registered vehicles are not exempt, and Austria has agreements with neighbouring countries for cross-border debt collection.
Yes. Fines issued through formal proceedings can be appealed through the Austrian administrative court system. You have the right to contest a fine if you believe it was issued in error. See our policies page for information on the appeals process and what to include in your appeal.