Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to the most common questions about the Austrian motorway vignette. If your question is not answered here, please contact us.
Do I need a vignette to drive in Austria?
You need a vignette only if you use Austrian motorways (Autobahn) or expressways (Schnellstrasse). If you travel exclusively on ordinary roads (Bundesstrassen, Landesstrassen), no vignette is required. However, most efficient routes through Austria use the motorway network, making the vignette effectively essential for most visitors.
Where can I buy the vignette?
Physical stickers are available at Austrian petrol stations, border crossing shops, tobacco shops (Trafik), and ÖAMTC/ARBÖ motoring clubs. Digital vignettes can be purchased at asfinag.at or via the ASFINAG app. Some Belgian petrol stations near the German border also stock physical stickers, but availability is not guaranteed.
Can I buy the vignette online before my trip?
Yes. The digital vignette can be purchased online at asfinag.at up to one year in advance. You select the start date at the time of purchase. This is the recommended approach for Belgian drivers, as it eliminates the need to stop at the border and ensures you are covered from the moment you enter Austria.
What happens if I forget to buy a vignette?
If you enter an Austrian motorway without a valid vignette, you risk being stopped by police or detected by enforcement cameras. The penalty is an on-the-spot fine of up to €120, plus the requirement to purchase a vignette immediately. Administrative fines can reach €240. There is no grace period — the vignette must be valid from the moment you enter the motorway.
Is the vignette valid on all Austrian roads?
The vignette covers the general motorway and expressway network. However, certain roads require additional section-based tolls in addition to the vignette. These include the Brenner motorway (A13), Arlberg tunnel (A14), Karawanken tunnel (A11), and sections of the Tauern (A10) and Pyhrn (A9) motorways. The Grossglockner High Alpine Road and Felbertauern road are private toll roads not covered by the vignette at all.
Can I transfer the sticker to another car?
No. Physical vignette stickers are designed to be non-transferable. Attempting to remove a sticker will destroy it — the adhesive layer separates, making it impossible to reapply intact. A destroyed or tampered sticker is considered invalid. If you change vehicles, you must purchase a new vignette for the new vehicle.
What if I enter Austria at night and cannot buy a vignette?
Border crossing shops and many petrol stations near the Austrian border operate 24 hours. The digital vignette is available online at any time. If you are unable to purchase a vignette before entering the motorway, you should use ordinary roads until you can reach a purchase point. Driving on the motorway without a vignette, even briefly, is a violation.
Is a digital vignette safer than a physical sticker?
The digital vignette eliminates the risk of sticker damage, incorrect placement, or loss. It is linked to your registration plate in the ASFINAG database and cannot be physically damaged. However, it is essential that you enter the correct registration plate number — an error cannot be corrected after purchase and will result in an invalid vignette for your vehicle.
Do motorcycles need a separate vignette?
Yes. Motorcycles require their own vignette, which is separate from the car vignette. The same validity periods (10-day, 2-month, annual) are available for motorcycles, at lower prices than car vignettes. The physical sticker must be affixed to a specific location on the motorcycle as specified by ASFINAG.
What is the fine for driving without a vignette?
On-the-spot fines for driving without a valid vignette are up to €120. Administrative fines can reach €240. In addition, you will be required to purchase a vignette on the spot. Refusing to pay may result in vehicle immobilisation. Foreign-registered vehicles are subject to the same penalties as Austrian vehicles.
Can I get a refund on my vignette?
Vignettes are generally non-refundable once activated. For digital vignettes, ASFINAG may consider refund requests in exceptional circumstances (e.g., vehicle written off, serious illness preventing travel). Contact ASFINAG customer service directly for refund enquiries. Physical stickers cannot be refunded once the protective film has been removed.
How do I appeal a fine for a vignette violation?
If you believe a fine was issued in error, you can appeal to the relevant Austrian district administrative authority (Bezirksverwaltungsbehörde). You must submit your appeal in writing within four weeks of receiving the penalty notice, providing evidence that your vignette was valid (e.g., purchase confirmation, bank statement). See our Policies page for full details on the appeals process.