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Table of Contents
  1. Geographic Overview
  2. Austria
  3. Switzerland
  4. Czech Republic
  5. Slovakia
  6. Slovenia
  7. Hungary
  8. Other Countries
  9. Local Nuances & Tips

Service Area — Country Guide

Map of European vignette countries
European countries with vignette-based toll systems — Austria and its neighbours

This page provides country-specific information about vignette requirements across Europe. For pricing details, see our Pricing page. For the purchase process, see our Process page. Key terms are defined in our FAQ & Glossary.

Geographic Overview

Austria is centrally located in Europe and borders eight countries: Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. Of these neighbours, all except Germany, Italy, and Liechtenstein operate vignette systems. This makes Austria a key transit country for cross-border road trips, and understanding the vignette requirements of neighbouring countries is essential for Austrian-based travellers.

The following sections provide detailed information for each country. For a quick reference, see the Pricing page for a comparative table.

Austria

System type: Digital vignette (e-vignette) since 2023
Operator: ASFINAG
Roads requiring vignette: All motorways (A-roads) and expressways (S-roads)
Roads exempt: Federal roads (B-roads), provincial roads

Local Nuances

  1. The annual vignette is valid from 1 December of the previous year, allowing early purchase.
  2. Some motorway sections require additional Streckenmaut (point-to-point tolls) — notably A13, A10, A9, A11, and A14.
  3. The Grossglockner High Alpine Road and Felbertauern Tunnel are private roads with separate tolls.
  4. Enforcement is primarily through automatic licence plate recognition cameras.
  5. Rental cars in Austria often include a vignette — always verify before purchasing.
  6. The ÖAMTC and ARBÖ automobile clubs are excellent resources for vignette purchase and travel advice.
  7. Digital vignettes can be purchased up to 18 days in advance with a future start date.

For full details, see our Services page. For pricing, see our Pricing page.

Switzerland

System type: Physical sticker (Vignette/Autobahnvignette)
Operator: Federal Roads Office (FEDRO)
Roads requiring vignette: All national roads (motorways and expressways)
Validity: Annual only (approximately 14 months: December to January)

Local Nuances

  1. Switzerland only offers an annual vignette — there is no 10-day or monthly option.
  2. The vignette costs CHF 40 (approximately €40) and is valid for approximately 14 months.
  3. Physical stickers must be applied to the inside of the windscreen.
  4. Vignettes are available at Swiss border crossings, petrol stations, and post offices.
  5. Some Swiss mountain passes and tunnels charge additional tolls (e.g., Great St. Bernard Tunnel).
  6. Foreign vehicles must purchase a Swiss vignette even for a single crossing of a national road.
  7. The Swiss vignette is not valid in Liechtenstein, which has its own road system.

Czech Republic

System type: Digital only (e-vignette) since 2021
Operator: State Fund for Transport Infrastructure (SFDI)
Roads requiring vignette: Motorways (D-roads) and some expressways (R-roads)

Local Nuances

  1. The Czech Republic switched to digital-only vignettes in 2021 — no physical stickers are available.
  2. Vignettes can be purchased at edalnice.cz, the official website, or at petrol stations.
  3. Options include 10-day, 30-day, and annual vignettes.
  4. The D1 motorway (Prague to Brno) is one of the busiest in Central Europe.
  5. Some expressways in the Czech Republic do not require a vignette — check route-specific requirements.

Slovakia

System type: Digital only (e-vignette)
Operator: National Motorway Company (NDS)
Roads requiring vignette: Motorways (D-roads) and expressways (R-roads)

Local Nuances

  1. Slovakia offers 1-day, 10-day, 30-day, and annual vignettes.
  2. Purchase at eznamka.sk or at petrol stations throughout Slovakia.
  3. The D1 motorway connects Bratislava to Košice and is the main east-west route.
  4. Bratislava's ring road sections require a vignette.
  5. Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes use a separate electronic toll system.

Slovenia

System type: Physical sticker
Operator: DARS (Motorway Company of the Republic of Slovenia)
Roads requiring vignette: Motorways (A-roads) and expressways (H-roads)

Local Nuances

  1. Slovenia still uses physical vignette stickers, available at border crossings and petrol stations.
  2. Options include 7-day, 1-month, and annual vignettes.
  3. The Karawanken Tunnel (between Austria and Slovenia) requires separate toll payment from both sides.
  4. The coastal motorway near Koper is a popular route for travellers heading to Croatia.
  5. Motorcycles require a separate, lower-priced vignette.

Hungary

System type: Digital only (e-matrica)
Operator: NMHH (National Media and Infocommunications Authority)
Roads requiring vignette: Motorways (M-roads) and some expressways

Local Nuances

  1. Hungary's e-matrica system is entirely digital — purchase at motorway.hu or at petrol stations.
  2. Options include 10-day, 1-month, and annual vignettes, as well as county-specific options.
  3. County vignettes allow use of motorways only in a specific county — useful for short regional trips.
  4. The M1 motorway connecting Vienna to Budapest is one of the most-used cross-border routes from Austria.
  5. Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes use a separate HU-GO system.

Other Countries

The following countries also operate vignette systems relevant to travellers from Austria:

CountrySystemKey Notes
RomaniaDigital (rovinieta)Required on national roads (DN), not just motorways. Multiple validity options.
BulgariaDigital (e-vignette)Required on most roads. Purchase at bgtoll.bg or petrol stations.
North MacedoniaPhysical stickerAvailable at border crossings. Annual and short-term options.
MoldovaPhysical stickerAvailable at border crossings. Relatively inexpensive.
Bosnia & HerzegovinaPhysical stickerAvailable at border crossings. Motorway network is limited.
BelarusPhysical stickerAvailable at border crossings. Note: travel advisories may apply.

Local Nuances & Tips for Austrian Travellers

  1. Plan your route in advance: Use a route planner to identify which vignette countries you will pass through and purchase all required vignettes before departure.
  2. Currency considerations: While most vignettes in the region are priced in Euros, Swiss vignettes are in CHF and Czech/Hungarian vignettes are in local currencies. Budget accordingly.
  3. Border crossing times: During peak summer months (July–August) and holiday weekends, border crossings can be congested. Purchase vignettes in advance to avoid additional delays.
  4. Rental cars: If renting a car in Austria for a cross-border trip, confirm with the rental company which countries the car is permitted to enter and whether vignettes are included.
  5. Insurance: Ensure your vehicle insurance covers all countries on your route. Some policies require additional coverage for certain Eastern European countries.
  6. Emergency contacts: Save the roadside assistance numbers for each country you will visit. ÖAMTC (+43 120) covers Austria; partner clubs cover neighbouring countries.
  7. Seasonal roads: Some mountain passes and scenic roads (e.g., Grossglockner) are seasonal and may be closed in winter. Check road conditions before travel.
  8. Speed limits: Speed limits vary between countries. Austria: 130 km/h motorway, 100 km/h expressway, 50 km/h urban. Switzerland: 120 km/h motorway. Czech Republic: 130 km/h motorway. Always check local rules.