Border Austria Germany

Border between Austria and Germany

The border between Germany and Austria extends over 817 km from the Czech Republic to Lake Constance. The largest part of the border lies along the state of Bavaria. In total, there are over 50 border crossings on the German-Austrian border. For travelers, the motorway crossings Kiefersfelden, Walserberg, and Suben are particularly relevant. Here you should definitely note that a vignette requirement applies on Austrian motorways. With the digital vignette, there's no need for a stopover at a sales point before the border.

Border crossings in Europe

Within the EU's Schengen area, there are practically no border controls. However, border controls can still take place on certain occasions to safeguard public order and internal security. This is the case, for example, during international sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup or major political events. With a valid passport or ID card, EU citizens can pass through border controls without any problems. Any goods for personal use may also be carried – only tobacco and alcohol form exceptions in some cases. Due to illegal immigration, increased checks have been carried out at the German-Austrian border as of 2023. Not every car is checked, but random spot checks are currently common, particularly at the border crossing from Austria to Germany.

Vignette requirement in Austria

There may be increased waiting times at the border crossing. This is due to possible border controls. A vignette requirement applies in Austria. With the digital vignette, there's no need for a stopover at a sales point before the border. You can purchase the vignette from us online in advance and register it to your license plate.

Important border crossings between Germany and Austria

For travelers, the most important border crossings are the three motorway crossings, where you can get through the fastest. These are Kiefersfelden (A93 Germany – A12 Austria), Walserberg (A8 Germany – A1 Austria), and Suben (A3 Germany – A8 Austria). To avoid waiting times, the motorway crossings can be bypassed via country roads. In the end, however, this usually takes longer than waiting about 30 minutes at the border crossing. In return, you'll be rewarded with a beautiful landscape panorama.

Kiefersfelden (DE) / Kufstein (AT)

Kiefersfelden is a Bavarian town located directly on the Austrian border. The German A93 motorway merges here into the Austrian A12. In Kiefersfelden, you are just under 110 kilometers from the Austrian-Italian border and the Brenner Pass. From Kiefersfelden via the A12 and then, near Innsbruck, onto the A13 Brenner motorway is a classic vacation route from Germany to Italy. The A12 can be driven without a vignette from the Kiefersfelden border crossing to Kufstein-Süd. However, a digital vignette is required to continue on the motorway. Buying the correct e-vignette in advance saves time and nerves in this situation. Especially when traveling from Austria to Germany, random spot checks can occur at the Kiefersfelden border crossing. During peak travel season and with additional commuter traffic, waiting times of 30-60 minutes or more can occur at this border. With a digital vignette, entry into Austria works considerably faster. You can check the current waiting times at the border crossings on the official website of ASFINAG, the Austrian infrastructure company. If the waiting time at the Kiefersfelden border crossing is very high, you can exit the motorway beforehand and use the Salzburg (AT)/Freilassing (DE) border crossing instead.

Walserberg (AT) / Reichenhall (DE)

Walserberg is an Austrian town near Salzburg, located directly on the German-Austrian border. Here, the German A8 motorway becomes the Austrian A1 West Motorway toward Vienna. Directly at Walserberg is the motorway junction of the A1 and A10. The latter motorway leads almost directly to the Slovenian border. The A1 section from the Walserberg border crossing to Salzburg Nord has been vignette-free since 2019. However, a digital vignette is still required to continue through Austria. Waiting times also occur at the Walserberg border crossing due to random spot checks. During peak travel season and with additional commuter traffic, the waiting time can exceed 30 minutes. With the digital vignette, there's no need for a stopover at a sales point before the border. You can check the current waiting time at the Walserberg border crossing on the ASFINAG website.

Suben (AT) / Neuhaus am Inn (DE)

In the Austrian town of Suben lies the third motorway crossing between Germany and Austria. Here, the German A3 becomes the Austrian A8. Via the A8, you can reach the A9 Pyhrn motorway toward Slovenia, as well as the A1 toward Vienna. Due to random spot checks, waiting times of around 30 minutes can occur at the Suben border during peak travel season. With the digital vignette, there's no need for a stopover at a sales point before the border. To find out what current waiting times to expect at the motorway crossing, you can consult the ASFINAG website.