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A digital vignette (digitale Vignette) is an electronic proof of payment for using Austria's motorways and expressways, replacing the traditional adhesive sticker. It is mandatory for most vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tonnes, including cars, motorcycles, and motorhomes, when travelling on these designated roads. It simplifies the toll payment process as it's linked to your vehicle's registration number, eliminating the need to affix a sticker to your windscreen and making it easier to purchase online or at short notice.

The revenue generated from vignettes contributes directly to the maintenance and expansion of Austria's road network, ensuring high-quality infrastructure for all road users. Failure to display a valid vignette (or have a valid digital vignette linked to your vehicle) can result in significant fines.

Purchasing a digital vignette is straightforward and can be done through several channels:

1. Online via ASFINAG: The official Austrian motorway operator, ASFINAG, offers an online shop where you can purchase the digital vignette. This is often the most convenient method. Be aware of the 18-day consumer protection waiting period for online purchases if you are an individual consumer residing in the EU.
2. Through ÖAMTC/ARBÖ/ADAC: These automobile clubs often provide digital vignette purchasing services, sometimes with immediate validity.
3. At designated sales points: Digital vignettes can be bought at many petrol stations near the Austrian border, post offices, and ASFINAG toll booths. These sales points typically offer immediate validity.

When purchasing, you will need your vehicle's registration number, the country of registration, and the desired validity period (10 days, 2 months, or 1 year).

Yes, for online purchases made by individual consumers (not businesses) who reside in the EU, there is a mandatory 18-day consumer protection waiting period before the digital vignette becomes valid. This period allows for the right of withdrawal. If you need the vignette immediately, you must either purchase it as a business customer (by entering your company details) or buy it from a physical sales point (e.g., a petrol station or ASFINAG toll booth), where it becomes valid immediately upon purchase.

It is crucial to plan your purchase accordingly to avoid any issues or fines when entering Austria's toll road network.

Accepted payment methods can vary slightly depending on where you purchase your digital vignette or pay for route-specific tolls. Generally, you can expect to use:

Credit/Debit Cards

Visa, MasterCard, American Express are widely accepted for online purchases and at most physical sales points and toll stations.

PayPal

A common option for online purchases of digital vignettes.

Bank Transfer (Sofortüberweisung/Giropay)

Available for online purchases, though may be subject to longer processing times.

Cash

Accepted at physical sales points (petrol stations, post offices, ASFINAG toll booths) and manned toll stations for route-specific tolls.

ASFINAG Prepaid Card/Go-Box (for heavy vehicles)

Specific solutions for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, which operate under a different toll system.

Always check the specific payment options available at your chosen point of sale or online portal before finalising your purchase.

While the digital vignette covers most motorways and expressways, Austria also has certain high-cost Alpine crossings, tunnels, and mountain passes that require additional 'route-specific tolls' (Sondermautstrecken). These are separate from the vignette system and must be paid separately.

Examples include the Brenner Motorway (A13), the Arlberg Tunnel (S16), the Tauern Motorway (A10), and the Felbertauern Road. These tolls are typically paid directly at toll plazas located just before the specific section, or they can sometimes be paid online in advance (e.g., via ASFINAG's 'Video Toll' system, which allows you to pass without stopping).

It's important to note that even if you have a valid vignette, you will still need to pay these route-specific tolls if your journey takes you over these sections. Always plan your route and check for any additional tolls.

Errors in the registration number are critical, as the digital vignette is tied directly to this number. If you notice an error immediately after purchase and before the vignette becomes valid (especially within the 18-day waiting period for online consumer purchases), you may be able to contact the point of sale (e.g., ASFINAG online shop customer service) for a correction or cancellation and repurchase.

If the vignette is already valid and you discover an error, it becomes more challenging. ASFINAG generally allows for a one-time correction of an incorrect character in the registration number or the country code, provided there's clear evidence it was a genuine typo and not an attempt to transfer the vignette to another vehicle. You would typically need to contact ASFINAG directly with proof of purchase and vehicle ownership. Timely action is key; report any errors as soon as possible to increase the likelihood of a resolution.

Driving on Austrian motorways or expressways without a valid vignette or failing to pay a route-specific toll is considered a serious offence and will result in significant fines. ASFINAG uses camera surveillance and mobile inspection teams to monitor compliance.

If caught without a valid vignette, you will typically be issued a substitute toll (Ersatzmaut), which is a fixed penalty. For cars, this is currently around €120, and for motorcycles, approximately €65. If this substitute toll is not paid, further administrative proceedings will be initiated, leading to much higher fines, potentially up to €3,000. For route-specific tolls, similar penalties apply if you fail to pay. It is always much cheaper and less stressful to purchase the required tolls in advance.

Refunds for digital vignettes are generally only possible under specific circumstances:

• Consumer Right of Withdrawal: If you purchased online as an individual consumer residing in the EU, you have a 14-day right of withdrawal from the day after purchase. This period is part of the 18-day validity waiting period. If you withdraw, the vignette will not become valid, and you will receive a refund.
• Total Loss/Theft of Vehicle: In cases of total loss or theft of the vehicle to which the annual digital vignette is assigned, a pro-rata refund may be possible. You will need to provide official documentation (e.g., police report, insurance settlement) to ASFINAG.
• Sale of Vehicle with Annual Vignette: If you sell your vehicle and have an annual digital vignette, you can apply for a pro-rata refund. The new owner would then need to purchase their own vignette if they wish to use the toll roads.

Refunds are usually not granted for 10-day or 2-month vignettes unless the consumer right of withdrawal applies. For all refund requests, it is essential to contact ASFINAG directly with all relevant documentation.

If you had an adhesive vignette and your windscreen was damaged (e.g., cracked and replaced), you would typically need to get a replacement vignette. With a digital vignette, this issue is largely circumvented as it's linked to your registration number, not a physical sticker on the windscreen. Therefore, no replacement is needed due to windscreen damage if you have a digital vignette.

However, if your registration number changes (e.g., due to a change of vehicle or re-registration), you will need to transfer your existing digital vignette to the new registration number. This process is typically handled through ASFINAG's online portal or customer service, and may involve a small administrative fee. Proof of the registration change will be required.