Everything you need to know about the vignette in Austria!

New rules: From 2027, Austria will only have digital vignettes

The Austrian motorway vignette is changing. 2026 is the last year in which you can purchase a traditional sticker vignette. From the 2027 vignette year onwards, the system will become fully digital.

This means you will no longer need to stick a vignette on your windscreen. Instead, the digital vignette will be linked to your vehicle's registration number.

For holidaymakers, this offers several advantages:

• You no longer need to attach a sticker to your windscreen or remove it afterwards.
• You can easily purchase your vignette online.
• You don't have to worry about a damaged or incorrectly applied sticker.
• You can check the validity of your digital vignette online.

Are you travelling to Austria in winter 2026/2027? Then keep the transition period in mind. A valid annual vignette for 2026 will remain valid until 31 January 2027. After that, you will need a valid 2027 vignette to drive on roads where a vignette is required.

What is a motorway vignette and when do you need one?

A motorway vignette is proof that you have paid to use Austria's motorways and expressways. A vignette is required on most Austrian motorways and expressways for cars, motorcycles and motorhomes with a technically permissible maximum laden mass of up to 3,500 kg.

You can choose between different validity periods. Which vignette is best for your holiday mainly depends on how long you are staying in Austria and which route you take.

For example, are you heading to a chalet in Königsleiten, Bramberg am Wildkogel or Saalbach-Hinterglemm for a week-long skiing holiday? Then a 10-day vignette is often sufficient.

Please note: Some roads and tunnels require an additional toll, known as a section toll.

How much does an Austrian motorway vignette cost in 2026?

The prices for Austrian motorway vignettes have been adjusted again in 2026. Below you'll find the official rates for cars and motorcycles.

Source: ASFINAG. Rates for 2026, including VAT.

Which motorway vignette should you choose?

Are you going on holiday to Austria for a week? Then a 10-day vignette is usually the most affordable option. If you're staying longer than ten days, for example during an extended summer holiday, a two-month vignette may be a better choice.

The annual vignette is particularly suitable if you travel to Austria regularly. The annual vignette for 2026 is valid from 1 December 2025 until 31 January 2027.

Tip from ChaletsPlus: Remember to include both your outward and return journeys when choosing your vignette. A 10-day vignette is valid for ten consecutive calendar days, with the first day counting as day one.

Where can you buy a digital motorway vignette for Austria?

You can easily buy a digital vignette online through the official website of ASFINAG, the Austrian motorway operator.

When ordering, you'll need to enter details such as the country of registration, your vehicle's registration number and the desired start date. Make sure you check your registration number carefully before completing your purchase, as the digital vignette is linked to this number.

In 2026, you can also purchase vignettes from authorised sales outlets, such as petrol stations and ASFINAG sales partners. Depending on the location, both digital vignettes and the final sticker vignettes are available.

Important: Some digital vignettes are only valid after 18 days

This is one of the most important things to consider when purchasing a digital vignette. If you buy a digital vignette as a private consumer through the ASFINAG online shop, the following rules apply:

• 1-day vignette: Can be valid immediately.
• 10-day vignette: Can be valid immediately.
• 2-month vignette: When purchased online by a private consumer, it is only valid from the 18th day onwards.
• Annual vignette: When purchased online by a private consumer, it is only valid from the 18th day onwards.

This waiting period is related to the statutory right of withdrawal for online purchases.

If you purchase a digital two-month or annual vignette from an authorised physical sales outlet or a suitable vending machine, immediate validity may be possible.

Are you travelling to Austria soon? Make sure you check the start date of your vignette before setting off.

How can you check if your digital vignette is valid?

With a digital vignette, you don't need to attach anything to your windscreen. Your vehicle's registration number is recorded in the ASFINAG system.

Would you like to check whether your vignette is valid before your journey? You can do so via: https://evidenz.asfinag.at/

Here, you can check whether a valid digital vignette is registered to your vehicle's registration number. It's also a good idea to keep your purchase confirmation, just in case.

Can you drive to your chalet in Austria without a vignette?

That depends on your destination and the route you choose.

For example, are you travelling to the Wildkogel Arena, Zillertal Arena or the Kitzbühel region? There are routes that allow you to avoid certain motorways where a vignette is required.

It's also possible to reach destinations such as Neukirchen am Großvenediger, Bramberg am Wildkogel, Wald im Pinzgau and Saalbach-Hinterglemm via regional roads.

However, this doesn't mean that every route to these destinations is automatically vignette-free.

Our advice: Check your entire route before you leave. If you don't want to buy a vignette, set your navigation system to avoid toll roads and check whether the suggested route is actually toll-free. Keep in mind that avoiding toll roads may increase your travel time.

What happens if you drive in Austria without a valid vignette?

In Austria, regular checks are carried out to ensure that drivers have a valid vignette. These checks include cameras and mobile inspections.

If you drive on a road where a vignette is required without having a valid one, you may have to pay a substitute toll. In the event of further violations or non-payment, an administrative fine of up to €3,000 may be imposed.

An incorrectly registered vehicle registration number or a digital vignette that is not yet valid can also cause problems.

Before setting off, make sure you check:

• Whether you have entered the correct vehicle registration number.
• Whether the start date is correct.
• Whether your vignette is valid for both your outward and return journeys.
• Whether you need to pay any additional section tolls along your route.

This will help you avoid unnecessary costs during your holiday.

No rights can be derived from this blog. The information in this article is based on the official regulations and rates published by ASFINAG and was checked in October 2026. Rules and prices may change. Always check the latest information with ASFINAG before travelling.