Navigate Austria's Motorways with Confidence

No, the vignette requirement in Austria applies exclusively to designated motorways (Autobahnen, marked with 'A' signs) and expressways (Schnellstraßen, marked with 'S' signs). You do not need a vignette for general roads within towns, cities, or rural areas. However, please be aware that certain specific routes, including some tunnels (like the Arlberg, Brenner, or Tauern tunnels) and mountain sections, are classified as 'Streckenmaut' routes and require a separate, additional toll payment, even if you possess a valid vignette for the general network. These sections are clearly indicated by specific signage.

When you purchase the digital vignette online through the official ASFINAG webshop as a private consumer, there is a mandatory 14-day waiting period before the vignette becomes valid. This delay is a protective measure under Austrian consumer law (Fern- und Auswärtsgeschäfte-Gesetz, FAGG) to allow for the right of withdrawal from a distance contract. If you need the digital vignette to be valid immediately, you have two options: purchase it directly at a physical sales point (like a border crossing office, petrol station, or automobile club office) or purchase it online and register as a business customer, which bypasses the waiting period.

Roads in Austria that require a vignette are clearly marked with specific signage. You will see signs that explicitly state "Vignette Pflicht" (Vignette required) or display the recognizable blue vignette symbol (a rectangular shape with a diagonal stripe). Furthermore, all motorways (Autobahnen) are signed with their designation starting with an 'A' followed by a number (e.g., A1, A10), and all expressways (Schnellstraßen) are signed with an 'S' followed by a number (e.g., S16, S35). If you are entering one of these 'A' or 'S' roads, ensure you have a valid vignette beforehand.

No, Austrian vignettes are generally non-transferable between vehicles. A sticker vignette is only valid for the vehicle it was originally affixed to; attempting to remove and reapply it invalidates the sticker. The digital vignette is electronically registered to a specific vehicle's license plate number at the time of purchase and cannot be transferred to a different vehicle or a different license plate number for the same vehicle except in specific, limited circumstances.

If you change your license plate (e.g., due to moving or vehicle replacement) while your digital vignette is still valid, you may be able to apply to ASFINAG to link the remaining validity to your new license plate. Specific conditions and administrative fees apply to this process. It's best to contact ASFINAG directly for guidance in such situations.