Border between Austria and 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? We also inform you about the toll regulations (vignette requirement, distance-based toll and route toll / special toll) in both countries.

Border Controls and Entry Requirements

Between Austria and Italy there is free movement of goods and persons. This means that, as a rule, no border controls take place. However, the border police are authorised to carry out random identity checks. You should therefore carry your national ID card or passport when entering. There is no visa requirement for EU citizens.

Border Crossings

Between Austria and Italy there are numerous border crossings that travellers can use. The most well-known include:

• Arnoldstein border crossing: The municipality of Arnoldstein is located near Villach and Klagenfurt am Wörthersee. This border crossing can be used both for travel from Austria to Slovenia and from Austria to Italy. Special feature: If you travel towards Pontebba or Moggio Udinese after the Arnoldstein border crossing, you can enjoy a view of the Aupa Valley.
• Nassfeld Pass border crossing: Another border crossing leading to Pontebba is the Nassfeld Pass. It is situated at around 1,500 metres above sea level and is known as a route that leads to ski resorts in winter and provides access to numerous hiking trails in summer.
• Plöcken Pass: This border crossing is located 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: Via this border crossing, you can reach San Candido (Innichen) in Italy via the B100 and the E66.
• Staller Saddle border crossing: This pass connects Austria with Italy. Please note that a winter closure applies and the route can therefore only be used from May to October.
• Brenner border crossing: The Brenner is one of the most well-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 heavy goods vehicles. 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 im Vinschgau as well as to Lake Resia. 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 in the form of a vignette requirement apply for use of the Austrian motorway and expressway network. Accordingly, vehicles up to 3.5 t permissible gross vehicle weight require a (digital) vignette. More information about the toll in Austria can be found in our guide. You can purchase your digital vignette conveniently from home with us.

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

Distance-based toll

Please note that for vehicles over 3.5 t permissible gross vehicle weight the vignette requirement does not apply and a distance-based toll must be paid instead. This mileage-dependent toll is settled 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 take into account on your journey. Additional fees apply for their use, independently of the digital vignette or the distance-based toll. Further information on the special toll (also known as 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 you with an overview of whether a vignette is required or whether a distance-based toll exists.

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-carrying trains (transport of roadworthy and road-registered motor vehicles by train), and the so-called "city toll".

Distance-based toll

Most Italian motorways are subject to tolls, while expressways are generally free of charge. The motorway toll is based 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 at the entry ramp, which is paid at the exit; the amount depends on the distance travelled. Important: Even if the barrier is open, a ticket must be taken. A subsequent payment may be possible if necessary.
• Open toll system: A flat-rate amount 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 included.
• Free-flow system: The licence plate is automatically detected 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, and to use 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. Telepass can be purchased online or on-site at Punto blu stations and Telepass sales outlets; it can also be purchased through 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 in Italy there are toll-liable tunnels 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-liable car-carrying trains (motorail)

Please also note that there are toll-liable car-carrying trains connecting Italy with Switzerland. Further information can be found in our article on car-carrying trains (motorail). The well-known connections include:

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

City toll: Milan, Bologna and Palermo

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

Milan:

Access to the ZTL of the city centre "Area C" requires a paid ticket at certain times (Mon–Fri: 7:30–19:30), which can be purchased online. After purchase, the ticket must be activated online (on the same day or at the latest on the following day).

"Area C" covers the historic old town within the city wall ring "Cerchia dei Bastioni". Please check in advance whether you are permitted to enter with your vehicle, as petrol vehicles with emission standards Euro 0–3, for example, 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 to the City of Milan is required for this.

Bologna:

Access to the ZTL of the city centre requires a paid ticket at certain times (daily from 7:00–20:00), which can be purchased online. In addition, the ticket must 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.

Please note that the ticket does not entitle you to drive through "Zone T", as this zone and the university area are subject to a driving ban. Also check in advance whether your vehicle is permitted to enter the city centre based on certain emission standards. Under certain circumstances, electric vehicles may be exempt from the fee.

Palermo:

Access to the ZTL of the city centre requires a paid access pass (ticket) at certain times (Mon–Fri: 8:00–20:00 as well as night ZTL on Fridays 23:00–24:00, Saturdays and Sundays 0:00–6:00). 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 based on certain emission standards. The access pass can be obtained at the mobility centre of the City of Palermo AMAT (Via A. Borrelli 16, near Piazza Croci) or at its offices (Via Gusti, Piazza A. de Gasperi, Via Basile, main railway station), at branches of the Italian automobile club ACI, and online. Please note that the ticket must be activated via the PalerMoblità app or online after purchase. 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 about toll regulations. Feel free to use our route planner to plan your trip perfectly and get suitable toll products displayed. Contact us with any further questions about your trip or our digital vignette via our e-mail.