FAQ & Glossary — Austrian Vignette

The Austrian vignette is a mandatory toll sticker (physical or digital) required for all motor vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes driving on Austrian motorways and expressways. This includes passenger cars, campervans, motorcycles (separate vignette), and light commercial vehicles. Foreign-registered vehicles are subject to the same rules as Austrian vehicles.

You can purchase a vignette at: ASFINAG's official website (asfinag.at), the ASFINAG app, petrol stations throughout Austria (OMV, BP, Shell, Jet, Avanti, etc.), motorway service areas, ÖAMTC and ARBÖ offices, Trafik (tobacco) shops, border crossing shops, and selected post offices. Always purchase from official channels to avoid counterfeit products.

Peel the sticker from the backing paper. Affix it to the inside of the windscreen in the lower-right corner (as seen from the driver's seat), near the rear-view mirror. Press firmly. Do not place on any removable film, tinted glass insert, or surface that may be removed. The sticker is self-destructing — it cannot be removed without being destroyed.

A digital vignette is registered to your vehicle's licence plate number. No physical sticker is required. Purchase via asfinag.at or the ASFINAG app, enter your plate, select validity period, and pay. Enforcement cameras automatically verify your plate against the database. You receive a confirmation email as proof of purchase.

If caught without a valid vignette, you face an on-the-spot fine of €120 (discounted payment) or an administrative fine of up to €300. For foreign-registered vehicles detected by camera, a fine notice is sent by post to the registered address. Repeat offences may result in higher penalties.

Yes. Several routes require a separate special toll (Sondermaut) in addition to the vignette: Brenner Motorway (A13), Arlberg Road Tunnel (S16), Karawanken Tunnel (A11), Tauern Motorway sections (A10), Pyhrn Motorway sections (A9), Bosruck Tunnel, Felbertauern Road, and the Großglockner High Alpine Road. See our Special Tolls table for current prices.

No. The Austrian vignette is valid only on the Austrian motorway and expressway network. Other countries have their own toll systems (e.g., Switzerland requires a separate vignette; Germany has no general vignette for cars; Italy uses a distance-based toll system). Always check the toll requirements of each country on your route.

Physical vignette stickers cannot be transferred — they are self-destructing. If your windscreen is replaced, you must obtain a replacement sticker from ASFINAG. Contact ASFINAG with your original purchase receipt and proof of windscreen replacement. One replacement per vignette period is permitted. Digital vignettes can be updated if your licence plate changes.

No. The vignette is required only on motorways (Autobahnen, marked A) and expressways (Schnellstraßen, marked S). Ordinary federal roads (Bundesstraßen, marked B) and regional roads do not require a vignette. Some routes that appear to be motorways may have been downgraded — check current ASFINAG maps.

Digital vignettes can be purchased up to 18 days before the chosen start date. Physical vignettes are valid from the moment of purchase (or from the start date printed on the sticker). Annual vignettes for the following year go on sale from 1 November of the current year.

The GO-Box is an on-board unit required for vehicles with a maximum permissible mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes (lorries, buses, heavy campervans). It calculates distance-based tolls automatically as the vehicle passes under gantry readers. The GO-Box must be obtained and pre-loaded with credit before entering Austria. It is available at ASFINAG service centres and selected petrol stations.

No. Austrian vignettes are non-refundable once purchased, regardless of the reason (illness, change of plans, vehicle breakdown, etc.). This applies to both physical and digital vignettes. For this reason, we recommend purchasing the 10-Day vignette for uncertain travel plans rather than the Annual.