Border Crossing: Austria-Slovenia

The border between Austria and Slovenia extends over a length of 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 Kučnica, Mur and Drava. These particular 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

AI generated

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 FIFA World Cup, as well as major political events. Austria is currently temporarily reintroducing controls at the border with Slovenia, currently ordered until 15 March 2027. You should therefore expect controls and waiting times.

As an EU citizen, you can usually pass through border controls without any problems using a passport or ID card, and you may carry goods for personal use. One drawback of border controls can be longer waiting times at the border crossings. However, with the digital vignette, you at least avoid the stop at a sales point before the border. There is a separate toll for the Karawanks Tunnel: heading towards Slovenia, you pass the toll station with a digital route toll ticket from ASFINAG without stopping; heading towards Austria, you pay at the Hrušica toll station to DARS.

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.

AI generated

• 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 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 means a significantly longer travel time. Travelling via motorways is generally less stressful for travellers, especially if digital vignettes are registered in advance. For transit to Croatia, the Spielfeld – Šentilj motorway crossing is particularly useful, as you can reach the A4 via the A1 at 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 requirement (or not?)

Fees in the form of a vignette requirement apply for the use of the Austrian motorway and expressway network. Accordingly, vehicles up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight need 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 requirement. You can find out whether bypassing the toll makes sense in our article on bypassing the toll.

Distance-based toll

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

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 when planning your trip. Additional fees apply for their use, independent 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.

On the way to Slovenia, this mainly concerns the Karawanks Tunnel (A 11). Heading south, i.e. from Austria to Slovenia, ASFINAG charges the route toll. It is not included in the basic price of the flat rate, but you can add it with the additional option route toll Austria. Heading north, you pay the tunnel toll in Slovenia to DARS; this direction of travel is not included in the additional option.

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 want to use the 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). Officially, there are weekly, monthly and annual vignettes (for motorcycles, a half-yearly vignette instead of a monthly one). With our flat rate, you receive the 7-day vignette of class 2A for Slovenia.

Distance-based toll

If your vehicle exceeds 3.5 t gross vehicle weight, you need a DarsGo transmitter device instead of the vignette to pay 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 tariff also takes into account the vehicle's CO₂ emission class. This also applies to motorhomes over 3.5 t.

Special toll

A special toll also exists in Slovenia. Accordingly, you must pay an additional fee for using certain special toll routes, independent 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 perfectly plan your journey and get the right toll products displayed. If you have any further questions about your trip or our digital vignette, please contact us via our email.