Vignette Types Guide
Detailed explanations of all vignette types available in Austria and across Europe, including validity periods, vehicle categories, and special options.
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Table of Contents
Services & Vignette Guides
This page provides comprehensive guidance on all aspects of European road vignettes, with a focus on Austria. Use the table of contents above to navigate to the section most relevant to your needs. For pricing information, see our Pricing page. For the step-by-step purchase process, see our Process page.
Service Overview
Country-by-Country Guide
Specific requirements, prices, and purchase options for each vignette country in Europe. Updated annually and verified against official sources.
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Purchase Process Guide
Step-by-step instructions for purchasing vignettes online, at petrol stations, and at border crossings. Includes tips for avoiding common mistakes.
View Process →Austria — Detailed Guide
Austria's vignette system is managed by ASFINAG and applies to all motorways (Autobahn, prefix A) and expressways (Schnellstraße, prefix S). The system has been fully digital since 2023, meaning no physical sticker is required — your licence plate is registered in the ASFINAG database.
Austrian Vignette Options
| Type | Validity | Car (Cat. 1) | Motorcycle (Cat. 1a) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Day | 10 consecutive days | €9.90 | €5.10 | Start date selectable up to 18 days ahead |
| 2-Month | 2 calendar months | €29.00 | €14.50 | Runs from 1st of start month |
| Annual | Dec 1 (prev yr) – Jan 31 (next yr) | €96.40 | €38.20 | ~14 months effective validity |
For vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, see the Vehicle Categories section below. For a full list of Streckenmaut routes, see our Service Area page.
Vehicle Categories
Austrian vignettes are categorised by vehicle type and weight. The following table shows all categories:
| Category | Vehicle Type | Max Weight | Vignette Required? | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Passenger car, van | Up to 3.5t | Yes | Digital vignette |
| 1a | Motorcycle, moped | Any | Yes | Digital vignette (50% discount) |
| 2 | Motorhome, campervan | Up to 3.5t | Yes | Digital vignette |
| 3 | HGV, bus, truck | Over 3.5t | No vignette | GO-Box (LKWMAUT) |
| 4 | Agricultural vehicle | Any | Exempt | — |
| 5 | Emergency vehicle | Any | Exempt | — |
| 6 | Military vehicle | Any | Exempt | — |
| 7 | Diplomatic vehicle | Any | Exempt (conditions apply) | — |
See the GO-Box definition in our Glossary for more information on the heavy vehicle toll system.
Included / Not Included in the Vignette
The following table clarifies what the Austrian vignette covers and what requires separate payment:
| Item | Included in Vignette? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Use of all Austrian motorways (A-roads) | ✓ Yes | All A-designated roads |
| Use of all Austrian expressways (S-roads) | ✓ Yes | All S-designated roads |
| Brenner Motorway (A13) — Innsbruck to Brenner | ✗ No | Streckenmaut applies |
| Tauern Motorway (A10) — Salzburg to Villach | ✗ No | Streckenmaut applies |
| Pyhrn Motorway (A9) — Bosruck/Gleinalm tunnels | ✗ No | Streckenmaut applies |
| Karawanken Tunnel (A11) | ✗ No | Separate tunnel toll |
| Arlberg Tunnel (A14) | ✗ No | Separate tunnel toll |
| Felbertauern Tunnel | ✗ No | Private road, separate toll |
| Grossglockner High Alpine Road | ✗ No | Private road, separate toll |
| Trailer attached to car | ✓ Yes | Covered by car vignette |
| Caravan attached to car | ✓ Yes | Covered by car vignette |
| Federal roads (B-roads) | N/A — Free | No vignette required |
| Provincial roads | N/A — Free | No vignette required |
| Urban motorway sections within city limits | ✓ Yes | Covered by vignette |
Assessment Factors for Vignette Selection
When choosing the right vignette for your trip, consider the following factors:
| Factor | Consideration | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Trip duration | How many days will you be in Austria? | Under 10 days: 10-day vignette. 10–60 days: 2-month. Over 60 days: Annual. |
| Vehicle type | Car, motorcycle, motorhome, or HGV? | Check category table above. HGVs need GO-Box, not vignette. |
| Route | Which roads will you use? | Check if any Streckenmaut sections are on your route. |
| Rental car | Does your rental already have a vignette? | Always confirm with rental company before purchasing. |
| Multiple trips | Will you visit Austria more than once this year? | Annual vignette may be more cost-effective for 2+ trips. |
| Other countries | Will you cross into other vignette countries? | Purchase separate vignettes for each country. |
| Start date flexibility | Can you set a future start date? | Yes — up to 18 days in advance for digital vignettes. |
| Payment method | Do you have a card or PayPal? | Online purchase requires card/PayPal. Cash accepted at petrol stations. |
| Urgency | Do you need the vignette immediately? | Digital vignettes activate immediately or on chosen start date. |
| Budget | What is your total toll budget for the trip? | Factor in Streckenmaut costs for mountain routes. |
Preparation Checklist
Use this checklist before your trip to ensure you have everything in order:
- Confirm your vehicle's registration number (licence plate) is correct.
- Check your vehicle's weight category (especially for motorhomes and vans).
- Determine your route and identify any Streckenmaut sections.
- Verify whether your rental car already has a valid vignette.
- Purchase the appropriate vignette type for your trip duration.
- Set the correct start date when purchasing (can be up to 18 days in advance).
- Save your purchase confirmation email as proof of purchase.
- Check vignette requirements for all countries on your route.
- Purchase separate vignettes for each vignette country you will enter.
- Ensure your payment card is valid and has sufficient funds.
- Check ASFINAG website for any recent rule changes before departure.
- Note the ASFINAG customer service number in case of issues: +43 50 108 10 000.
- If travelling with a trailer, confirm the combined weight does not exceed 3.5 tonnes.
- For electric vehicles, confirm no special exemptions apply in your destination countries.
Limits and Exceptions
The following situations represent exceptions or limitations to standard vignette rules:
- Emergency vehicles: Police, fire, ambulance, and rescue vehicles are exempt from vignette requirements on all Austrian roads.
- Military vehicles: Austrian military vehicles and NATO forces vehicles are exempt under specific agreements.
- Diplomatic vehicles: Vehicles with diplomatic plates may be exempt, but this depends on the specific diplomatic status and bilateral agreements.
- Agricultural machinery: Tractors and agricultural vehicles are exempt from vignette requirements.
- Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes: These require a GO-Box for the LKWMAUT system, not a vignette. The vignette system does not apply to HGVs.
- Streckenmaut sections: Even with a valid vignette, additional tolls apply on specific mountain routes. These are not covered by the vignette.
- Private toll roads: Some roads (e.g., Grossglockner, Felbertauern) are privately operated and charge their own tolls regardless of vignette status.
- Vignette validity overlap: The annual vignette has a validity overlap period (December of previous year to January of following year), allowing early purchase.
Complaints and Appeals
If you believe you have received an incorrect fine or wish to appeal a vignette-related decision, follow these steps:
- Gather evidence: Collect your purchase confirmation, vehicle registration documents, and any correspondence from ASFINAG.
- Contact ASFINAG: Write to ASFINAG's customer service at the address on your fine notice, or call +43 50 108 10 000.
- State your case clearly: Explain the grounds for your appeal, provide your licence plate number, the date of the alleged offence, and attach copies of your evidence.
- Deadlines: Appeals must typically be submitted within 4 weeks of the fine notice date. Check your specific notice for the exact deadline.
- Escalation: If ASFINAG does not resolve your complaint satisfactorily, you may escalate to the Austrian Federal Administrative Court (Bundesverwaltungsgericht).
- Foreign drivers: If you are a foreign driver, you may also contact your national automobile club (e.g., ADAC in Germany, TCS in Switzerland) for assistance.
For more information on your rights, see our Policies page.
Terms on This Page
Key terms used on this page: Vignette · Streckenmaut · GO-Box · ASFINAG · Motorway · E-Vignette