Border crossing: Austria-Italy

The border between Austria and Italy stretches over 404 km and runs along the Alps. In this article, you will find all the relevant information for your trip. We answer the most important questions for your holiday: Are there border controls? What entry requirements apply? Which border crossings can you use? In addition, we will inform you about which toll regulations (vignette requirement, distance-based toll and special toll or route toll) apply in both countries. You can find out which toll applies on Italian motorways in our guide Toll in Italy.

Border controls and entry requirements

There is free movement of goods and people between Austria and Italy. This means that, as a rule, no border controls take place. However, the border police are authorised to carry out random identity checks. For entry, you should therefore carry your identity card or passport with you. EU citizens do not require a visa.

Border crossings

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There are numerous border crossings between Austria and Italy that can be used by travellers. The best known include:

• Arnoldstein border crossing: The municipality of Arnoldstein is located near Villach and Klagenfurt on Lake Wörthersee. This border crossing can be used for travel from Austria to Slovenia as well as from Austria to Italy. Special feature: If you travel towards Pontebba or Moggio Udinese after the Arnoldstein border crossing, a view of the Aupatal valley is worthwhile.

• Nassfeld Pass border crossing: Another border crossing leading to Pontebba is the Nassfeld Pass. It is located at an altitude of around 1,500 metres and is known as a route that leads to the ski resort in winter and provides access to numerous hiking trails in summer.

• Plöcken Pass: This border crossing is located further west in the state of Carinthia. Follow the B110 to the Timau region in Italy. From there, the road continues to Paluzza, Tolmezzo and Udine.

• Sillian border crossing: Via this border crossing, you reach Innichen in Italy via the B100 and the E66.

• Staller Sattel border crossing: This pass connects Austria with Italy. Please note that there is a winter closure, so the route can only be used from May to October.

• Brenner border crossing: The Brenner is one of the best-known routes from Austria to Italy and connects, in particular, the cities of Innsbruck and Bolzano.

• Timmelsjoch Pass border crossing: The Timmelsjoch Pass is also very well known, but is not suitable for truck traffic. There is a night-time closure (8.00 pm–7.00 am) and a winter closure (October to May).

• Reschen Pass border crossing: Via the Reschen Pass, you reach Graun in Vinschgau as well as Lake Reschensee from Austria. Due to its proximity to Switzerland, this border crossing is also used by many travellers from Switzerland.

Austria

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

Vignette requirement (or not?)

Fees apply for the use of the Austrian motorway and expressway network in the form of the vignette requirement. 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 motorway sections without a vignette requirement as well as ways to avoid the vignette requirement. You can read about whether bypassing the toll makes sense in our article on bypassing the toll.

Distance-based toll

Please note that for vehicles over 3.5 t gross vehicle weight, the vignette requirement does not apply and instead a distance-based toll must be paid. This mileage-based toll is settled using a GO-Box, which must be installed in the vehicle for data recording.

Special toll routes (special toll/route toll)

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 when travelling. Using these routes incurs additional fees, independent of the digital vignette or the distance-based toll. You can find further information on the special toll (also known as route toll) and a list of all relevant special toll routes in our article on special toll routes in Austria.

Italy

The following section provides you with an overview of whether a vignette is required or whether a distance-based toll exists.

Vignette requirement (or not?)

There is no vignette requirement in Italy. Instead, a distance-based toll is charged. In addition, fees may apply for certain tunnels and mountain pass roads, car shuttle services (transport of roadworthy and registered motor vehicles by train) as well as the so-called "city toll".

Distance-based toll

Most Italian motorways are subject to tolls, while expressways generally do not incur any fees. The motorway toll depends on the distance travelled and the vehicle class (e.g. number of axles) and is paid at toll stations. In Italy, there are closed and open toll systems as well as free-flow systems:

• Closed toll system: Common at most toll stations. You take a ticket when entering, which is paid for when exiting; the amount depends on the distance travelled. Important: Even if the barrier is open, a ticket must be taken. A surcharge may be payable if necessary.

• Open toll system: A flat fee is charged, which must be paid at a toll station. This includes routes such as the A9 (Como–Milan), A8 (Varese–Milan), A5 (Mont Blanc–Aosta) and others. Therefore, find out in advance which routes are specifically affected.

• Free-flow system: The number plate is automatically captured and registered, so no stopping is required and waiting times are reduced. This includes, among others, the A33, A36, A59 and A60.

At toll stations, you can generally pay in cash, and in some cases also by credit or debit card. In addition, solutions such as the ADAC toll box, Telepass, bip & go and the Camper toll box are available. These allow you to pay cashlessly and without stopping, using the yellow-marked Telepass lanes (T symbol). For this, you need a transponder (transmitter device) with a contract, through which the toll is automatically debited from the stored account. Additional usage fees may also apply.

• ADAC toll box: Suitable for all vehicles regardless of height and weight.

• Telepass: Suitable for all vehicles regardless of height and weight. The Telepass can be purchased online or on-site at Punto Blu stations and Telepass sales points; it can also be purchased via German distribution portals for an additional fee.

• bip&go: Suitable for vehicles up to 3.5 t.

• Camper toll box: Suitable for motorhomes over 3.5 t.

Special toll: tunnels and mountain pass roads

Please note that there are toll tunnels in Italy that are independent of the distance-based toll. Accordingly, you must pay additional fees for these tunnels and mountain pass roads. These include, among others:

• Great St. Bernard Tunnel (Switzerland–Italy)

• Munt La Schera Tunnel (Switzerland–Italy)

• Mont Blanc Road Tunnel (France–Italy)

• Fréjus Road Tunnel (France–Italy)

• Timmelsjoch Tunnel (Austria–Italy)

Toll car shuttle services (car trains)

Please also note that there are toll car shuttle services connecting Italy with Switzerland. You can find more information on this in our article on car shuttle services (car trains). Well-known connections include:

• Simplon Tunnel car shuttle (Switzerland–Italy)

• Lötschberg and Simplon Tunnel car shuttle (Switzerland–Italy)

City toll: Milan, Bologna and Palermo

Fees are charged in certain cities for access to restricted traffic zones (ZTL) or city centres. The city toll is calculated as a flat rate (not distance-based) and affects, among others, Milan, Bologna and Palermo.

Milan:

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Access to the ZTL of the "Area C" city centre requires a paid ticket at certain times (Mon–Fri: 7.30 am–7.30 pm), which can be purchased online. After purchase, the ticket must be activated online (on the same day or at the latest the following day).

"Area C" includes the historic old town within the "Cerchia dei Bastioni" city wall ring. Please find out in advance whether you are allowed to enter with your vehicle, as petrol vehicles with Euro 0–3 emission standards, among others, are not allowed to enter "Area C". In addition, certain vehicles such as electric and hybrid vehicles (excluding hybrid vehicles with a CO2 emission value > 100 g/km) as well as vehicles for transporting people with disabilities are exempt from the fee. An application must be submitted to the city of Milan for this.

Bologna:

Access to the ZTL of the city centre requires a paid ticket at certain times (daily from 7.00 am–8.00 pm), which can be purchased online. The ticket must also be activated online before use. Alternatively, tickets can also be obtained at the BomoB counters at Piazza Manfredi Azzarita 4 (entrance via Calori 4E) as well as at Via Piero Gobetti 52.

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Please note that the ticket does not entitle you to drive through "Zone T", as this area, along with the university area, is subject to a driving ban. Also find out in advance whether your vehicle is allowed to enter the city centre due to certain emission standards. Electric vehicles may be exempt from the fee under certain circumstances.

Palermo:

Access to the ZTL of the city centre requires a paid access pass (ticket) at certain times (Mon–Fri: 8.00 am–8.00 pm as well as night-time ZTL on Fridays 11 pm–midnight, Saturdays and Sundays midnight–6 am). The zone covers the areas from Piazza Giulio Cesare to Via Cavour as well as from Porta Nuova to Porta Felice.

Please find out in advance whether your vehicle is allowed to enter the city centre due to certain emission standards. You can obtain the access pass from the mobility centre of the city of Palermo, AMAT (Via A. Borrelli 16, near Piazza Croci) or at their offices (Via Gusti, Piazza A. de Gasperi, Via Basile, main train station), at branches of the Italian automobile club ACI, as well as online. Please note that after purchase, the ticket must be activated via the PalerMobilità app or online. Motorcycles and electric vehicles may be exempt from the fee but must be registered in advance.

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!

We wish you a safe journey and are happy to help with any questions about toll regulations. Feel free to use our route planner to plan your trip perfectly and to see the suitable toll products displayed. If you have any further questions about your trip or our digital vignette, please contact us via our email.