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New vignettes needed for driving on Austria’s autobahns to go on sale

Regular drivers on Austria’s autobahns will be familiar with the adhesive vignettes that need to be displayed on their car windshield, lest they risk a €120 fine.

Published: 20 November 2023 17:41 CET

New vignettes needed for driving on Austria's autobahns to go on sale

The new yellow vignettes for 2023, available at over 6,000 locations throughout Austria, and online. Photo: ASFINAG

The new vignette, which comes in a sunny yellow, as opposed to 2023’s purple will go on sale on Wednesday November 22nd.

The price remains unchanged from last year with an annual vignette costing €96.40 for a car, or €38.50 for a motorcycle.

The new 2024 vignettes can be purchased at over 6,000 locations across Austria, including gas stations, toll booths, tobacconists, ÖAMTC, ARBÖ and ADAC locations.

Alternatively, digital vignettes have been available since the 13th of November, costing the same amount. These can be purchased at the same locations, or online via the ASFINAG website. These digital vignettes work by verifying your car’s registration, which is picked up by cameras when using the autobahn network.

Be aware, however, that due to new European laws, these digital vignettes only become valid eighteen days after purchase – so it’s a very good idea to plan ahead.

READ MORE: What you need to know about Austria’s new autobahn fees for 2024

The 2-month (€28,90) 10-day (€11,50) and 1-day (€8,60) vignettes are also available as a digital vignette, for those who may only be visiting the country.

The existing purple vignettes will be valid until January 31st 2024, at which point motorists will need to either display their new yellow vignette or have obtained a digital version.

Austrian motorists have been required to display vignettes on their cars and motorcycles when using motorways since 1997. The money raised is reinvested by ASFINAG, the authority tasked with the building and maintenance of high-speed roads throughout the alpine country.

As of 2023, there are over 1,720 kilometres of autobahn in Austria with more currently in construction.

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Klimaticket: How to get your free Austria-wide transport pass

Austria’s Climate Ministry announced in a press release that it will roll out its free Klimaticket offer for 18-year-olds on July 1st.

The Klimaticket is a yearly pass that, at €1,095 per year, covers nearly all public transport nationwide. So, for about €3 a day, it’s possible to ride from Vienna to Salzburg and around town without any extra expenses. You just hop on the train and go. It’s very similar to the popular Jahreskarte, or yearly ticket, in the Viennese public transport, which allows for unlimited travel in public transport within the city for €1 a day.

With the Austria-wide Klimaticket, you not only have access to Vienna’s public transport but also to the entire national network. This makes the national pass a valuable option for those who frequently travel across city limits. The subsidised offer is designed to encourage greener travel choices, and the federal government has announced that it will provide one year of Klimaticket for free to every 18-year-old residing in Austria.

Climate Minister Leonore Gewessler described the scheme as a “piece of freedom for young adults” that will start on July 1st. It was previously announced last year, as The Local reported.

READ ALSO: The spectacular Austrian train routes you can take with the Klimaticket

How will it work?

All people who have celebrated their 18th birthday since January 1st, 2024 and are registered with their residence in Austria can have the free KlimaTicket Austria issued.

The ticket is then valid for one year—the start of validity can be freely chosen by young adults between their 18th and 21st birthdays.

According to the Climate Ministry, the free KlimaTicket can be easily collected from the official sales and service points.

The government said around 88,000 people are eligible each year, and the authorities are earmarking €120 million for the project.

“Young adults are being introduced to public transport as a logical, environmentally friendly alternative in everyday life. In this way, we want to inspire as many young people as possible to use public transport in the long term,” the Ministry added.

READ ALSO: Which non-Austrian destinations can you reach with a Klimaticket?

How can I pick up my Klimaticket?

The ticket can be applied for at sales outlets from June 3rd, 2024 and will be valid from July 1st. The KlimaTicket must be applied for in person at any KlimaTicket Ö sales and service points (except Wiener Linien).

You must bring an official photo ID, a photo and a residence confirmation (not older than six months). You can find the sales and service partners online at klimaticket.at/partner.

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