Border Crossing: Austria-Germany

The border between Germany and Austria stretches over 817 km from the Czech Republic to Lake Constance. Most of the border runs through the state of Bavaria. In total, there are more than 50 border crossings along the German-Austrian border. For travelers, the motorway crossings at Kiefersfelden, Walserberg, and Suben are particularly important.

Entry requirements and border controls

Within the EU's Schengen Area, there are usually hardly any border controls. Nevertheless, controls may be temporarily carried out on certain occasions to safeguard public order and internal security. This can be the case, for example, during international sporting events such as a FIFA World Cup or major political events. With a valid passport or ID card, EU citizens generally pass through controls without any problems. Goods for personal use may generally be carried; exceptions may apply in certain cases, particularly for tobacco and alcohol.

Well-known border crossings between Austria and Germany

For travelers, the three motorway crossings are especially relevant, as they usually offer the fastest way through. These include:

• Kiefersfelden (DE) / Kufstein (AT) – Kiefersfelden is a Bavarian town located directly on the Austrian border. Here, the German motorway A93 merges into the Austrian A12. From Kiefersfelden, it is just under 110 kilometers to the Austrian-Italian border and the Brenner Pass. The route via the A12 and then, near Innsbruck, via the A13 (Brenner Motorway) is a classic holiday route from Germany to Italy.

• Walserberg (AT) / Reichenhall (DE) – Walserberg is located near Salzburg, directly on the German-Austrian border. Here, the German A8 becomes the Austrian West Autobahn A1 heading towards Vienna. Nearby is the motorway interchange of the A1 and A10; the latter leads almost all the way to the Slovenian border. The section of the A1 from the Walserberg border crossing to Salzburg North has been toll-vignette-free since 2019. However, a digital vignette is still generally required to continue onward through Austria.

• Suben (AT) / Neuhaus am Inn (DE) – Suben is another important motorway crossing between Germany and Austria. Here, the German A3 becomes the Austrian A8. Via the A8, you can reach both the A9 (Pyhrn Motorway) towards Slovenia and the A1 towards Vienna.

To avoid waiting times, these motorway crossings can generally be bypassed via country roads. In practice, however, this often takes longer than waiting around 30 minutes at the border crossing. As compensation, the route often offers an appealing scenic landscape.

Austria

The following section gives you an overview of whether you need a vignette and whether there is a distance-based toll.

Austria: Vignette requirement (or not?)

Fees in the form of a vignette requirement apply for the use of Austria's motorway and expressway network. Accordingly, vehicles up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight require a (digital) vignette. You can find more information on tolls in Austria in our guide. With us, you can conveniently purchase your digital vignette from the comfort of your home.

In addition, there are also vignette-free motorway sections as well as ways to avoid the vignette requirement. You can read about whether bypassing the toll makes sense in our article on bypassing tolls.

Distance-based toll in Austria

Please note that for vehicles over 3.5 t gross vehicle weight, the vignette requirement no longer applies and a distance-based toll must be paid instead. This mileage-dependent toll is billed using a GO-Box, which must be installed in the vehicle for data collection.

Special toll routes

In addition to the vignette requirement and the distance-based toll, there are certain special toll routes in Austria that you should take into account during your trip. Using these routes incurs additional fees, independent of the digital vignette or the distance-based toll. You can find more information on the special toll and a list of all relevant special toll routes in our article on special toll routes in Austria.

Germany

The following section gives you an overview of whether you need a vignette and whether there is a distance-based toll.

Germany: Vignette requirement (or not?)

In Germany, there is no general vignette requirement for motorways. This means that most motorways in Germany can generally be considered toll-free. However, exceptions apply to certain motorway tunnels and bridges, for which fees are charged. These fees serve to finance and maintain the respective infrastructure and are usually payable at toll stations or via electronic payment systems.

Distance-based toll

For vehicles under 3.5 t gross vehicle weight, no distance-based toll is charged. Trucks, on the other hand, must pay tolls on federal motorways, including service and rest areas, as well as on federal highways. The truck toll can be billed, for example, using an On-Board Unit (OBU).

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!

We wish you a safe journey to Austria and are happy to help with any questions about toll regulations. Detailed information on tolls in Austria can be found in our guide. Feel free to also use our route planner to perfectly plan your trip and get suitable toll products displayed. Contact us with any further questions about your trip or our digital vignette via our email.