Planning to drive to Austria? Starting December 1, 2026, the familiar windshield stickers will be phased out—the country is switching entirely to digital vignettes. It’s more convenient, but there are some details you should be aware of—ignoring them could cost you a €200 fine.
For nearly 30 years, drivers traveling to Austria have purchased and affixed paper vignettes to their windshields. That era is coming to an end: the red sticker for 2026 will be the last one. It will be valid until January 31, 2027, but starting February 1, 2027, the only proof of toll payment will be an electronic registration linked to your car’s license plate.
What’s Changing Starting December 1
Starting in the winter of 2026, vignettes for 2027 will go on sale in Austria, and they will be available only in digital format. This means you will no longer have to stick anything to your windshield.
As before, you’ll be able to purchase an electronic vignette at gas stations, tobacco kiosks, or Austrian auto club offices. But instead of a sticker, the seller will simply register your license plate number in the system. According to the Austrian road operator ASFINAG, more than 75% of drivers who purchase annual vignettes have already opted for the digital version.
New Prices for 2027: How to Save Money
Along with the format, the prices are changing as well. If you plan your trips in advance, you can save a little.
- An annual vignette for 2027, purchased by December 31, 2026, will cost €106.80.
- Starting January 1, 2027, the price will increase to €108.90.
The new annual vignette will be valid from December 1, 2026, to January 31, 2028—a total of 14 months. One-day, 10-day, and two-month vignettes will also remain available for purchase and will become exclusively electronic.
The Main Catch: The 18-Day Rule for Online Purchases
The most significant change concerns purchasing vignettes online. If you, as a private individual, buy a 2-month or annual vignette from ASFINAG’s official online store, it will not become valid until at least the 18th day after purchase.
This is due to European consumer protection laws, which grant the right to cancel an online purchase. In other words, if you buy an annual vignette online the day before your trip, it will be invalid, and you risk getting a fine.
How to avoid this problem:
- Buy in advance. Plan to purchase a long-term vignette online at least three weeks before your trip.
- Buy in person. Vignettes purchased at physical retail locations (gas stations, kiosks) become valid immediately.
- Choose short-term vignettes. The 18-day rule does not apply to 1-day and 10-day vignettes—they can be activated immediately after an online purchase.
How to Avoid a €200 Fine
The penalties for driving on Austrian autobahns without a valid vignette are severe. The fine, referred to as a “compensation fee,” is €200 for passenger cars. If you do not pay it on the spot, the case will be referred to administrative proceedings, where the amount may increase to €3,000.
To avoid a fine, follow these rules:
- Check the details. When purchasing a digital vignette, carefully verify that the license plate number and country of registration are entered correctly. A mistake in even a single character renders the vignette invalid.
- Use official resources. You can check the validity of your vignette for free on the official ASFINAG portal.
- Remember the 18-day rule. Do not purchase a long-term vignette online immediately before your trip.
The transition to digital vignettes is logical and convenient, but drivers should pay close attention to the details. That way, your travels through Austria will leave only pleasant memories. You’ll find more useful information about transportation in Slovakia and neighboring countries in our guide.
