Border Between Austria and Italy

The border between Austria and Italy stretches for 404 km and runs along the Alps. In this article you will find all relevant information for your trip. We answer the most important questions for your holiday: Are there border checks? What entry requirements apply? Which border crossings can you use? In addition, we inform you about the toll regulations (vignette requirement, distance-based toll and route toll / special toll) that apply in both countries.

Border checks and entry requirements

Between Austria and Italy there is free movement of goods and people. This means that border checks generally do not take place. However, border police are authorised to carry out random identity checks. You should therefore carry your ID card or passport when entering the country. EU citizens do not require a visa.

Border crossings

There are numerous border crossings between Austria and Italy that travellers can use. 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 both for travel from Austria to Slovenia and from Austria to Italy. Special feature: If you travel from the Arnoldstein border crossing towards Pontebba or Moggio Udinese, you will have a view of the Aupa Valley (Val Aupa).
• Nassfeld Pass border crossing: Another border crossing leading to Pontebba is the Nassfeld Pass. It is located at around 1,500 metres above sea level and is known as a route to the ski area in winter and as access to numerous hiking trails in summer.
• Plöcken Pass: This border crossing is further west in the federal 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: This crossing takes you via the B100 and the E66 to Innichen (San Candido) in Italy.
• Staller Sattel border crossing: This pass connects Austria with Italy. Please note that there is a winter closure, so the route can be used only 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 it is not suitable for truck traffic. A night closure (20:00–07:00) and a winter closure (October to May) apply.
• Reschen Pass border crossing: Via the Reschen Pass, you can travel from Austria to Graun in the Vinschgau/Val Venosta region and to Lake Resia (Reschensee). Due to its proximity to Switzerland, this border crossing is also used by many travellers from Switzerland.

Austria

The following section provides an overview of whether you need a vignette and whether distance-based tolling applies.

Vignette requirement (or not?)

Fees apply for using Austria’s motorway and expressway network in the form of a vignette requirement. Accordingly, vehicles up to 3.5 t require a (digital) vignette. You can find more information about tolls in Austria in our guide. You can conveniently purchase your digital vignette from us online.

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

Distance-based tolling

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

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 consider during your trip. Using these routes involves additional fees, regardless of the digital vignette or the distance-based toll. Further information about the special toll (also called route toll) and a list of all relevant special toll routes can be found in our article on special toll routes in Austria.

Italy

The following section provides an overview of whether a vignette is required or whether distance-based tolling applies.

Vignette requirement (or not?)

In Italy, there is no vignette requirement. Instead, a distance-based toll is charged. In addition, fees may apply for certain tunnels and mountain pass roads, car train services (transporting roadworthy and road-legal motor vehicles by train), as well as the so-called “city toll”.

Distance-based tolling

Most Italian motorways are subject to tolls, while expressways are generally free of charge. 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 and pay when exiting; the amount depends on the distance travelled. Important: Even if the barrier is open, you must take a ticket. If necessary, a subsequent payment may be required.
• Open toll system: A flat fee is charged and paid at a toll station. This includes routes such as the A9 (Como–Milan), A8 (Varese–Milan), A5 (Mont Blanc–Aosta) and others. Please check in advance which routes are included.
• Free-flow system: The licence plate is automatically recorded and registered, so stopping is not 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 cashless without stopping and use the yellow-marked Telepass lanes (T symbol). For this you need a transponder device with a contract, through which the toll is automatically debited from the linked account. Additional usage fees may apply.

• ADAC toll box: Suitable for all vehicles regardless of height and weight.
• Telepass: Suitable for all vehicles regardless of height and weight. Telepass can be purchased online or on site at Punto Blu stations and Telepass points of sale; it can also be purchased via German distribution portals for additional fees.
• bip&go: Suitable for vehicles up to 3.5 t.
• Camper toll box: Suitable for motorhomes over 3.5 t.

Special tolls: tunnels and mountain passes

Please note that Italy has toll tunnels that are independent of the distance-based toll. This means you must pay additional fees for these tunnels and mountain passes. 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)

Paid car transport services (car trains)

Please also note that there are paid car transport services that connect Italy with Switzerland. Further information can be found in our article on car transport services (car trains). Well-known connections include:

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

City tolls: Milan, Bologna and Palermo

In certain cities, fees are charged for access to restricted traffic zones (ZTL) / city centres. The city toll is charged as a flat fee (not distance-based) and applies, among others, in Milan, Bologna and Palermo.

Milan:

To enter the city-centre ZTL “Area C”, a paid ticket is required at certain times (Mon–Fri: 07:30–19:30), 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 city wall ring “Cerchia dei Bastioni”. Please check in advance whether you are allowed to enter with your vehicle, as, among other things, petrol vehicles with emissions standards Euro 0–3 are not permitted to enter “Area C”. In addition, certain vehicles such as electric and hybrid vehicles (except hybrid vehicles with CO2 emissions > 100 g/km) and vehicles used to transport people with disabilities are exempt from the fee. An application to the City of Milan is required for this.

Bologna:

To enter the city-centre ZTL, a paid ticket is required at certain times (daily from 07:00–20:00), which can be purchased online. The ticket must also be activated online before use. Alternatively, tickets can be obtained at the BomoB counters at Piazza Manfredi Azzarita 4 (entrance Via Calori 4E) and at Via Piero Gobetti 52.

Please note that the ticket does not permit driving in “Zone T”, as this zone and the university area are subject to a driving ban. Also check in advance whether your vehicle is allowed to enter the city centre due to specific emissions standards. In some cases, electric vehicles may be exempt from the fee.

Palermo:

To enter the city-centre ZTL, a paid access pass (ticket) is required at certain times (Mon–Fri: 08:00–20:00, plus night ZTL on Friday 23:00–24:00, Saturday and Sunday 00:00–06:00). The zone covers the areas from Piazza Giulio Cesare to Via Cavour and from Porta Nuova to Porta Felice.

Please check in advance whether your vehicle is permitted to enter the city centre due to specific emissions standards. You can obtain the access pass from the City of Palermo’s AMAT mobility centre (Via A. Borrelli 16, near Piazza Croci) or its offices (Via Giusti, Piazza A. de Gasperi, Via Basile, main railway station), from branches of the Italian automobile club ACI, as well as online. Please note that after purchase the ticket must be activated via the PalerMoblità 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 trip and are happy to assist you with any questions regarding toll regulations. Feel free to use our route planner to plan your journey perfectly and see suitable toll products. If you have further questions about your trip or our digital vignette, please feel free to contact us via email.