Border Between Austria and Slovenia

The border between Austria and Slovenia stretches for 330 km. The largest section of the border is formed by the Karawanks, the Pohorje Mountains and the Lavanttal Alps. Other border sections run along the rivers Kutschenitza, Mur and Drava. These special geographical conditions mean that drivers have only a few border crossings available. For holidaymakers, the Karawanks Tunnel and the motorway crossing Spielfeld (AT) – Šentilj (SVN) are of particular importance.

Entry requirements and border controls

Within the EU Schengen Area, there are generally no border controls. However, exceptions may be ordered on certain occasions to protect public order and internal security. These include, for example, international sporting events such as a Football World Cup as well as major political events. Due to increased illegal immigration, border crossings were nevertheless more strictly controlled on the Austrian side as of 2023.

As an EU citizen, you generally pass border checks without problems with a passport or ID card and may carry goods for personal use. One disadvantage of border controls can be longer waiting times at the border crossings. However, if you register your digital vignette in advance, you can at least avoid having to wait additionally at the toll station and pass through without stopping.

Important border crossings

For holidaymakers, the Karawanks Tunnel and the Šentilj (SVN) – Spielfeld (AT) motorway crossing are among the most important crossings from Slovenia to Austria.

• Karawanks Tunnel: The Karawanks Tunnel, which is just under eight kilometres long, was built between 1986 and 1991 and connects Slovenia’s A2 motorway, which runs directly through Ljubljana, with Austria’s A11 motorway. The construction of the tunnel shortened the travel time between Ljubljana and Villach by more than an hour. During the peak travel season in the summer months, more than 30,000 vehicles pass through the tunnel every day, which can lead to increased waiting times. When traffic volume is high and there is a risk of congestion, the maximum speed in the tunnel is reduced from 80 km/h to 50 km/h, which further increases travel time. Outside the peak season, around 10,000 vehicles use the tunnel per day.
• Šentilj (SVN) – Spielfeld (AT): There are two border crossings between Šentilj and Spielfeld. One is the motorway crossing between Austria’s A9 and Slovenia’s A1; the other connects Austria’s federal road B67 with Slovenia’s main road 437. The crossing between B67 and 437 can be used to avoid toll fees. However, travelling without motorways and expressways usually results in a significantly longer travel time. For most travellers, using motorways is less stressful, especially if digital vignettes are registered in advance. For onward travel to Croatia, the Spielfeld – Šentilj motorway crossing is particularly practical, as you can take the A1 near Maribor to the A4, which leads directly to the Croatian border.

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

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. Their use involves additional fees, regardless of the digital vignette or the distance-based toll. Further information on special tolls and a list of all relevant special toll routes can be found in our article on special toll routes in Austria.

Slovenia

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

Vignette requirement (or not?)

If you want to use Slovenian motorways and expressways, you need a digital vignette, the so-called E-Vinjeta. In addition, extra fees apply on certain routes (e.g. at the Karawanks Tunnel). You can choose between different validity periods.

Distance-based tolling

If your vehicle weighs more than 3.5 t permissible maximum gross weight (zGG), you need a DarsGo on-board unit instead of a vignette to collect the distance-based toll. This toll is calculated based on factors such as the kilometres driven, the number of axles and the Euro emissions class. The Euro emissions class is divided into pollution classes 1 to 6, where 1 represents higher and 6 lower pollutant emissions.

Special toll

Slovenia also has a special toll. This means you must pay an additional fee to use certain special toll routes, regardless of the digital vignette and the distance-based toll. Further information about special tolls in Slovenia can be found in our guide.

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.