How to Buy an Austrian Vignette — Step by Step

A detailed walkthrough of the entire vignette purchase process, from choosing the right type to correctly applying or registering your vignette.

Before You Start

Before purchasing your Austrian vignette, gather the following information. Having this ready will make the process quick and error-free:

  • Your vehicle's licence plate number (exactly as on the registration document)
  • Your vehicle category (car, motorcycle, LCV 3.5–7.5t)
  • Your planned entry date into Austria (for digital vignette start date)
  • Your planned exit date (to determine required vignette duration)
  • Payment method (credit/debit card for online; cash or card for in-person)
  • Email address (for digital vignette confirmation)
Check Selection Matrix First →

Digital Vignette — Step-by-Step Process

The digital vignette is the most convenient option for most travellers. Follow these steps to purchase correctly:

1
Navigate to the official ASFINAG shop

Go to shop.asfinag.at. Ensure you are on the official ASFINAG website (check the URL carefully). Avoid third-party sites unless you are aware of any additional service fees they charge.

2
Select "Digital Vignette"

Choose the digital vignette option. You will be asked to select your vehicle category (car, motorcycle, or LCV).

3
Choose vignette duration

Select 10-day, 2-month, or annual. If unsure, refer to the selection matrix on our Services page.

4
Enter your licence plate number

Enter the plate number exactly as it appears on your vehicle registration document. For foreign plates, include the country prefix (e.g., "D" for Germany, "CH" for Switzerland). Double-check before proceeding — errors cannot be corrected after the vignette becomes active.

5
Set the start date

Choose the date on which you want the vignette to become valid. This can be the current date or up to 18 days in the future. The vignette activates at 00:00 (midnight) on the chosen date.

6
Complete payment

Pay by credit or debit card. ASFINAG accepts Visa, Mastercard, and other major payment methods. The transaction is secured by standard SSL encryption.

7
Save your confirmation email

You will receive a confirmation email with your vignette details. Save this email. While not legally required to show it, it serves as proof of purchase if any issues arise.

8
Drive — no sticker needed

Your vignette is registered in the ASFINAG database. No physical sticker is required. ASFINAG's camera system will automatically verify your plate when you enter the motorway network.

Sticker Vignette — Step-by-Step Process

If you prefer a physical sticker vignette, follow these steps:

1
Choose your purchase point

Buy from a petrol station at the Austrian border, a Tabak-Trafik (tobacco shop) in Austria, an ÖAMTC/ARBÖ office, or an ASFINAG service centre. You can also buy sticker vignettes online (some resellers offer this, though delivery time must be factored in).

2
Request the correct category and duration

Tell the seller your vehicle type (car or motorcycle) and the duration you need (10-day, 2-month, or annual). Sticker vignettes are colour-coded by year to prevent re-use of old stickers.

3
Pay and receive your sticker

Pay the official price. Keep your receipt. The sticker will be in a sealed package — do not remove it from the package until you are ready to apply it to the windscreen.

4
Apply the sticker before entering the motorway

Apply the sticker to the inside of your windscreen before driving on any motorway or expressway. See the detailed application instructions below.

How to Apply the Sticker Vignette Correctly

Incorrect application of the sticker vignette can result in the vignette being treated as invalid. Follow these instructions carefully:

  1. Clean the windscreen area where you will apply the sticker. Remove any dust, grease, or moisture.
  2. The sticker must be applied to the inside of the windscreen (not the outside).
  3. Position: lower left corner of the windscreen (from the driver's perspective). For right-hand-drive vehicles: lower right corner.
  4. The sticker must not obstruct the driver's field of vision.
  5. Peel the sticker carefully from its backing. Do not touch the adhesive surface.
  6. Press firmly onto the clean windscreen surface. Smooth out any air bubbles.
  7. The sticker must remain clearly legible at all times. Do not cover it with any other sticker or tinting film.
  8. Keep the receipt as proof of purchase.
Warning: Removing a sticker vignette from the windscreen renders it permanently invalid. The adhesive is designed to leave visible marks if removal is attempted, making re-use impossible. A removed sticker cannot be re-applied to another vehicle.

After Purchase — What to Check

  • Verify the start date on your digital vignette confirmation email
  • Check that the licence plate number on the confirmation matches your vehicle exactly
  • Confirm the vignette duration covers your entire planned stay in Austria
  • For sticker vignettes: confirm the sticker is firmly adhered and clearly legible
  • Note the ASFINAG customer service number: +43 800 400 12 440 (toll-free in Austria)
  • Check if your route includes any special toll sections requiring additional payment

Common Mistakes to Avoid

MistakeConsequenceHow to Avoid
Wrong licence plate numberVignette invalid; fine possibleDouble-check against registration document
Wrong vehicle categoryVignette invalid; fine possibleCheck your vehicle's GVW on registration
Sticker applied to outside of windscreenVignette may be treated as invalidAlways apply to inside surface
Sticker applied in wrong positionMay be treated as invalidLower left corner (inside), not obstructing view
Purchasing from unauthorised resellerRisk of counterfeit; no legal protectionBuy only from ASFINAG or authorised sellers
Forgetting special toll sectionsSeparate fine for unpaid special tollCheck route against special toll section list
Vignette expired during stayFine for driving without valid vignetteChoose duration that covers entire stay
Assuming rental car has vignetteFine if no vignette presentAlways confirm with rental company

Corrections and Errors

If you discover an error in your digital vignette (e.g., wrong licence plate number) after purchase but before the vignette becomes active, contact ASFINAG customer service immediately:

  • Phone: +43 800 400 12 440 (toll-free in Austria)
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Online: shop.asfinag.at/contact

ASFINAG may be able to correct errors before the vignette activates, subject to their terms and conditions. Once the vignette is active, corrections are generally not possible and a new vignette must be purchased.

For sticker vignettes, errors cannot be corrected after purchase. If you purchased the wrong type or duration, you will need to purchase a new vignette. The incorrectly purchased sticker cannot be refunded once removed from its packaging.

Complaints and Appeals Process

If you receive a fine that you believe is unjust, or if you have a complaint about the vignette system, the following process applies:

  1. Immediate objection: At the time of the fine, you may verbally object to the enforcement officer. Request a formal written notice (Organstrafverfügung).
  2. Written objection: Submit a written objection to the issuing authority within 4 weeks of receiving the formal notice. Include your evidence (purchase confirmation, receipt, etc.).
  3. Administrative appeal: If the objection is rejected, you may appeal to the relevant district administrative authority (Bezirksverwaltungsbehörde).
  4. Further appeal: Decisions of the district authority can be appealed to the Administrative Court (Verwaltungsgericht).
  5. ASFINAG complaints: For complaints about the digital vignette system (e.g., technical errors), contact ASFINAG directly at [email protected].

When submitting a complaint or appeal, always include: your full name and address, the fine reference number, your vehicle registration details, proof of vignette purchase, and a clear statement of your grounds for objection.

Contact Us for Guidance →