Border Crossing: Austria-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 Bacher Mountains and the Lavanttal Alps. Further border sections run along the rivers Kutschenitza, Mur and Drau. These particular geographical conditions mean that only a few border crossings are available to drivers. 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 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 major political events. Due to increased illegal immigration, the border crossings on the Austrian side are still being controlled more strictly as of 2023.

As an EU citizen, you can usually pass border controls without any problems with a passport or identity card and are allowed 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 the station without stopping.

Important border crossings

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

• Karawanks Tunnel: The nearly eight-kilometre-long Karawanks 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 shortened the travel time between Ljubljana and Villach by more than an hour. During the travel season in the summer months, more than 30,000 vehicles pass through the tunnel every day, which can lead to increased waiting times. In the event of heavy traffic and risk of congestion, the maximum speed in the tunnel is reduced from 80 km/h to 50 km/h, which further extends the travel time. Outside the travel season, around 10,000 vehicles use the tunnel per day.

• Šentilj (SVN) – Spielfeld (AT): There are two border crossings at the border between Šentilj and Spielfeld. 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 B67 and 437 can be used to avoid toll charges. However, travelling without motorways and expressways usually involves a significantly longer travel time. Travelling via motorways is usually more stress-free for travellers, especially if digital vignettes are registered in advance. For transit to Croatia, the motorway crossing Spielfeld – Šentilj is particularly useful, as you reach the A4 via the A1 near Maribor, 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 obligation (or not?)

Fees in the form of the vignette obligation apply for the use of the Austrian motorway and expressway network. 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 home.

In addition, there are also vignette-free motorway sections as well as ways to avoid the vignette obligation. You can read about how sensible it is to bypass the toll in our article on bypassing tolls.

Distance-based toll

Please note that for vehicles over 3.5 t gross vehicle weight, the vignette obligation does not apply, and instead a distance-based toll must be paid. This mileage-dependent 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 obligation 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, regardless of the digital vignette or the distance-based toll. You can find more information on the special toll and a list of all relevant special toll routes 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 obligation (or not?)

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

Distance-based toll

If your vehicle exceeds 3.5 t gross vehicle weight, you need a DarsGo transmitter device instead of the vignette to collect 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 pollutant classes 1 to 6, with 1 representing a higher and 6 a lower pollutant burden.

Special toll

A special toll also exists in Slovenia. Accordingly, you must pay an additional fee for driving on certain special toll routes, regardless of the digital vignette and the distance-based toll. You can find more information on the special toll in Slovenia in our guide.

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!

We wish you a good trip and are happy to help with any questions about toll regulations. Feel free to use our route planner to plan your journey perfectly and have suitable toll products displayed to you. Contact us if you have any further questions about your journey or our digital vignette via our email.