Toll in Austria
Why do you have to pay toll fees?
Most countries in Europe charge toll fees, as there is a general toll obligation. Toll amounts are charged for the use of certain routes, tunnels and bridges. The money collected through tolls flows into the expansion and maintenance of the road network, enabling you to have a smooth drive on your holiday. The main areas of investment are infrastructure, traffic management, road safety and environmental protection measures.
Infrastructure: Construction and maintenance of roads and motorways
Road safety and traffic management: Use of new technologies such as intelligent traffic systems or toll bridges
Environmental protection: Expansion of noise barriers or measures to reduce emissions
How is the toll collected?
Tolls can be collected in different ways. These include the vignette requirement, the distance-based toll and special toll routes.
Vehicle
Vignette
Distance-based toll
Special toll
Motorcycle
✓
✗
✓
Car (up to 3.5 t MTPLM)
✓
✗
✓
Car (over 3.5 t MTPLM)
✗
✓
✓
Motorhome (up to 3.5 t MTPLM)
✓
✗
✓
Motorhome (over 3.5 t MTPLM)
✗
✓
✓
Truck (up to 3.5 t MTPLM)
✓
✗
✓
Truck (over 3.5 t MTPLM)
✗
✓
✓
Vignette requirement: Cars and motorhomes up to 3.5 t MTPLM
Under the vignette requirement, toll fees are not charged based on the kilometres driven, but rather as a flat fee that varies depending on the length of your trip. Depending on the vehicle class, the price of a vignette may differ.
With the vignette flat rate, you receive your vignette for Austria and can use it on all toll roads (except special toll routes). In Austria, the vignette requirement applies to vehicles up to 3.5 t MTPLM (maximum technically permissible laden mass excluding occupants). Motorcycles are also subject to the vignette requirement in Austria. You can find more detailed information on the various vehicle classes and the corresponding regulations in our guide.
Distance-based toll: Trucks, buses and motorhomes over 3.5 t MTPLM
The distance-based toll applies in most countries to vehicles over 3.5 t MTPLM (trucks, buses, larger motorhomes). Unlike the vignette requirement, this is not a flat fee; instead, the toll is based on the kilometres driven, the vehicle class (number of axles) and the emissions class. Accordingly, the amount of the toll fee can vary greatly. The distance-based toll is collected via a transponder (on-board unit), which you must purchase online or at sales points specific to each country and install in your vehicle. Payment is then made automatically via the stored payment method.
In Austria, this requires the so-called GO-Box. For vehicles subject to the distance-based toll (over 3.5 t MTPLM), the vignette requirement does not apply.
Special toll / route toll / video toll: Applies to all vehicles
Special toll routes are often tunnels or mountain pass roads. In Austria, the special toll is also referred to as the route toll (Note: risk of confusion with the distance-based toll). Using a special toll route incurs an additional fee. Similar to the vignette, this is calculated as a flat fee and varies depending on the vehicle class.
The special toll is charged for certain routes that are not subject to either the vignette requirement or the distance-based toll. This means that additional fees apply for certain sections of the route, even if you have a vignette or transponder (GO-Box).
Vehicle owners using a special toll route must purchase a route toll ticket. For vehicles with a distance-based toll, the amount is automatically charged via the GO-Box.
Since many special toll routes can be reached via access roads subject to the vignette requirement or distance-based toll roads, it is advisable in any case to also purchase a vignette or a transponder. You can find more information on the individual special toll routes in Austria in our guide.
Digital vignette: Simple, convenient and from the comfort of home
Order your digital vignette now conveniently from home. Benefit from the immediate validity of your vignette for Austria and start your trip stress-free.
Free route planner
With our free route planner, you can quickly and reliably find out which toll products you need for your trip through Austria.
The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!
We wish you a good drive to Austria and are happy to help with any questions about toll regulations. Contact us via our email.
FAQ on tolls in Austria
Answers to the most frequently asked questions on this topic.
Who needs a GO-Box instead of a vignette?
Vehicles with a gross vehicle weight over 3.5 t (trucks, buses, larger motorhomes) require a GO-Box for the distance-based toll. These vehicles are exempt from the vignette requirement.
Where can I buy the digital vignette for Austria?
You can conveniently order your digital vignette online with us and benefit from quick validity right after receiving the registration confirmation.
Do I have to buy a vignette in Austria?
Yes. In Austria, the vignette requirement applies to cars, motorcycles, and motorhomes up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight. Without a valid vignette, hefty fines can be imposed on toll-required motorways and expressways.
What is the difference between the vignette, distance-based toll, and special toll?
The vignette is a flat-rate fee for a specific period and applies to vehicles up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight. The distance-based toll is charged via the GO-Box according to kilometers driven and applies to vehicles over 3.5 t gross vehicle weight. The special toll (route toll) is charged additionally on certain tunnels and mountain pass roads.
Which routes in Austria are subject to a special toll?
Special toll routes are usually tunnels and mountain pass roads, the use of which must be paid for in addition to the vignette or route-based toll.
How do I find out which toll products I need for my trip?
Use our free route planner. It reliably shows you which vignettes and toll products are required for your specific route through Austria.
