Border between Austria and Slovenia

The border between Austria and Slovenia stretches over a length of 330 km. The largest section of the border is formed by the Karawanks, the Pohorje mountains, and the Lavanttal Alps. Further border sections run along the rivers Kolpa, Mur, and Drava. These particular geographical features mean that drivers have only a few border crossings available to them. For holidaymakers, the Karawank Tunnel and the motorway crossing Spielfeld (AT) – Šentilj (SVN) are of central importance.

Entry Regulations and Border Controls

Within the EU Schengen Area, there are generally no border controls. However, exceptions can 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 large-scale political events. Due to increased illegal immigration, border crossings on the Austrian side are nevertheless subject to increased controls as of 2023.

As an EU citizen, you will normally pass border controls without any problems with a passport or national ID card and are permitted to carry goods for personal use. A disadvantage of border controls can be longer waiting times at 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 it without stopping.

Important Border Crossings

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

• Karawank Tunnel: The almost eight-kilometre-long Karawank Tunnel was built between 1986 and 1991 and connects the Slovenian motorway A2, which runs directly through Ljubljana, with the Austrian motorway A11. The construction of the tunnel reduced the travel time between Ljubljana and Villach by more than an hour. During the travel season in the summer months, over 30,000 vehicles pass through the tunnel daily, which can lead to increased waiting times. In heavy traffic and when there is a risk of congestion, the maximum speed in the tunnel is reduced from 80 km/h to 50 km/h, which further extends the journey time. Outside the travel season, around 10,000 vehicles use the tunnel per day.
• Šentilj (SVN) – Spielfeld (AT): At the border between Šentilj and Spielfeld there are two border crossings. One is the motorway crossing between the Austrian A9 and the Slovenian A1, the other connects the Austrian federal road B67 with the Slovenian main road 437. The crossing between the B67 and 437 can be used to avoid toll charges. However, travelling without motorways and expressways is usually associated with a significantly longer journey time. Travelling via motorways is generally less stressful for travellers, especially when digital vignettes are registered in advance. For transit to Croatia, the motorway crossing Spielfeld – Šentilj is particularly useful, as the A1 near Maribor connects to the A4, which leads directly to the Croatian border.

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 using the Austrian motorway and expressway network. Accordingly, vehicles up to 3.5 t permissible gross 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 toll-free motorway sections as well as options to bypass 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 weight the vignette requirement does not apply and instead a distance-based toll must be paid. This mileage-dependent toll is charged 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 on your journey. Additional charges apply for their use, independently of the digital vignette or the distance-based toll. Further information on the special toll 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 gives you an overview of whether you need a vignette and whether a distance-based toll exists.

Vignette Requirement (or not?)

If you wish to use Slovenian motorways and expressways, you need a digital vignette, the so-called E-Vinjeta. In addition, extra charges apply on certain routes (e.g. at the Karawank Tunnel). You can choose from various validity periods.

Distance-Based Toll

If your vehicle exceeds 3.5 t gross weight, you need a DarsGo transponder instead of the vignette for the collection of the distance-based toll. This is calculated based on, among other things, the kilometres driven, the number of axles, and the Euro emission class. The Euro emission class is divided into pollution categories 1 to 6, where 1 represents higher and 6 represents lower pollutant emissions.

Special Toll

A special toll also exists in Slovenia. Accordingly, you must pay an additional charge for driving on certain special toll routes, independently of the digital vignette and the distance-based toll. Further information on the special toll 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 about toll regulations. Feel free to use our route planner to plan your journey perfectly and to have suitable toll products displayed. Contact us with any further questions about your journey or our digital vignette via our email.