Frequently Asked Questions

The Austrian motorway vignette (Autobahnvignette) is a mandatory toll permit for using Austria's motorway and expressway network. It is administered by ASFINAG and is required for all motor vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes. It is available in digital form (linked to your registration plate) or as a physical adhesive sticker.

All motor vehicles with a maximum permissible weight up to 3.5 tonnes that use Austrian motorways or expressways require a valid vignette. This includes foreign-registered vehicles. Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes use the GO-Maut system instead.

No. Electric vehicles are subject to the same vignette requirements as petrol or diesel vehicles of the same category. There is no exemption based on fuel type.

Digital vignettes can be purchased online at the ASFINAG website or app. Physical stickers are available at petrol stations, Trafik (tobacco shops), ASFINAG service points, automobile club offices (ÖAMTC, ARBÖ), and most border crossings entering Austria.

Yes. Digital vignettes can be purchased up to 30 days before the desired start date. Physical stickers are available year-round. The annual vignette for the following year goes on sale from approximately 15 November.

The physical sticker must be attached to the inner side of the windscreen in the top-left corner (driver's side), behind the rear-view mirror. Remove the protective film carefully and press firmly. Do not attach to the outside of the windscreen. Incorrect attachment may result in a fine.

No. Each vignette is valid for one specific vehicle only. The digital vignette is linked to a specific registration plate. The physical sticker, once attached, cannot be transferred to another vehicle.

For digital vignettes, the start date is chosen at purchase (today or up to 30 days ahead). The vignette becomes valid at 00:00 on the start date. For physical stickers, the start date is scratched off on the sticker at the point of sale.

Yes. The annual vignette is valid from 1 December of the purchase year until 31 January of the following year — a period of 14 months. This means you can buy it in November/December and use it through January of the next year.

No. The vignette covers motorways (Autobahnen) and expressways (Schnellstraßen) managed by ASFINAG. Federal roads (Bundesstraßen) and local roads do not require a vignette. Some tunnels and mountain passes require additional separate tolls even with a valid vignette.

Driving on Austrian motorways without a valid vignette is subject to an on-the-spot fine of up to €240 for passenger vehicles. Alternatively, a "substitute fee" (Ersatzmaut) of €120 can be paid on the spot. If not paid, a formal fine of up to €3,000 may be issued through administrative proceedings.

ASFINAG uses a combination of automated camera systems (which read registration plates and check against the digital vignette database) and manual roadside checks by enforcement officers. Foreign-registered vehicles are also checked.

If a physical sticker falls off or is damaged, it cannot be replaced. ASFINAG recommends switching to the digital vignette to avoid this risk. Keep your purchase receipt as proof of purchase, but note that a receipt alone does not constitute a valid vignette.

Rental cars in Austria typically already have a valid vignette provided by the rental company. Always confirm this before picking up the vehicle. If the rental car does not have a vignette, you are responsible for purchasing one before using motorways.

Yes. All vehicles, regardless of country of registration, require a valid Austrian vignette to use Austrian motorways. Foreign-registered vehicles can purchase vignettes at border crossings, petrol stations, or online.

A motorcycle with a sidecar is treated as a motorcycle for vignette purposes and uses the reduced motorcycle rate. The sidecar does not require a separate vignette.

After purchasing a digital vignette, you will receive a confirmation email from ASFINAG. You can also check the status of your digital vignette on the ASFINAG website by entering your registration plate number.

The start date of a digital vignette can be changed up to 18 days before the originally selected start date. After this point, the date is fixed. Contact ASFINAG customer service for assistance.