Länder-Info Austria

Please note that holders of an EEA (EU Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) or Swiss passport do not require a visa. Holders of British passports do not need a visa for Austria. There are no restrictions on the remaining validity of your passport, providing you leave Austria before its expiry date. Holders of all other passports, please check: www.bmeia.gv.at/en/

For further informations please contact the Austrian Embassy (consular departement) in your home country.

Entering Austria with a motor vehicle

Foreign travellers residing in the European Union entering Austria with a motor vehicle require their national driving licence and registration certificate. Travellers of other countries require a German translation or an international driving license.
For further details please contact your local Automobile Club.
The car distinguishing sign of the country of origin must be displayed on the rear of foreign vehicles.

Entry into Austria from a member state of the European Union

Goods imported for non-commercial purposes in the luggage of the visitor may be imported free of duty and taxes in the quantities indicated.

There are no limits for the importation of goods purchased in an EU country provided that these goods are destined for the importer's personal use. However the Excise department has fixed indicative limits on alcohol and tobacco. Beyond these limits the importer must be able to prove that these goods are for his personal use.

Quantities for the import into Austria from EU countries of articles for personal use that are free of duty charge:
" Cigarettes: 200 (if the health warning signs are in german language, it's allowed to import 800 cigarettes)
" Cigarillos (at the most 3 g each): 400
" Cigars: 200
" Tobacco: 1 kg
" Spirits: 10 litres
" Wine (of which max. 60 litres of sparkling wine): 90 litres
" Beer: 110 litres

Entry into Austria from a non EU member state/non European state

• Tobacco products (per person, 17 years or older):
• • 200 cigarettes or
  • 100 cigarillos (cigars with at the most 3 g each) or
  • 50 cigars or
  • 250 grams tobacco or
  • a proportionate combination of these items

• Alcoholic beverages (per person, 17 years or older):
• • 1 litre of spirits with an alcohol content of more than 22 volume percent or
  • 2 litres of spirits, wine aperitifs, alcohol, sake or the like with an alcohol content of 22 volume percent or less; sparkling wines, liquor wines or
  • a proportionate combination of these items and
  • 2 litres of non-sparkling wine
  • 50 g perfume and
  • 0,25 litres eau de toilette
  • Medication for personal use during the trip

• Other commodities are duty free up to a cumulative value of ¬ 175.- per traveller

Travellers may not combine their duty allowances

International vaccination (EU pet passport) certificate necessary. Rabies vaccination at least 30 days and not more than 12 months before crossing the border.
More Information: www.bmgfj.gv.at/

Any motor vehicle or trailer registered abroad and travelling in Austria must be covered by third-party insurance recognised in Austria.Vehicles (including trailers and mopeds) bearing an official valid registration plate need not be covered by a Green Card when circulating in Austria.  The national insurance policy is sufficient.

A Green Card is required for vehicles registered in: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegowina, Iran, Israel, Macedonia, Moldova, Morocco, Montenegro, Serbia, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine

Austria - Switzerland/Liechtenstein

T = Tyrol; Vbg. = Vorarlberg

Austria - Czech Republic

OÖ = upper austria; NÖ = lower austria

Austria - Czech Republic

OÖ = upper austria; NÖ = lower austria

Austria - Slovakia

* On the slovakian side the following fees will be levied for using the ferry boat: Car + driver: SKK 60 (EUR 1,45), every other person: SKK 30 (0,73), children below 15 and retirees: SKK 15 (EUR 0,36). The fees will be marked on the border crossing. Paymant only in SKK possible.

Austria - Hungary

Austria - Hungary

Austria - Slovenia

Bgld. = Burgenland, Stmk. = Styria, Ktn. = Carithia

Toll Sticker

Critical distance sections, on those it came in the past to inadvertent rear-end collision into the toll road system, find at: http://www.asfinag.at/index.php?idtopic=60

The toll duty is for vehicles up to 3,5 t overall weight. Vehicles over 3,5 t overall weight are subject to the toll system for trucks (www.go-maut.at)

*) Motorbikes with side car aim for single-lane vehicles, there is only a toll ticket for motorbikes necessary. Motorbikes with two wheels on the rear axle (e.g. TRIKES) aim for cars. **) Vehicles up to 3,5 t overall weight: the toll for trailers of these vehicles is not obligatory. Campmobiles up to 3,5 t overall weight need a toll sticker for cars, they do not need a special toll sticker for a trailer. Campmobiles over 3,5 t overall weight are subject to the toll system for trucks. You will find the overall weight in the motor vehicle registration certificate.

Validity period:
Annual ticket: December 1 of the last year until January 31 of the next year
2-months-ticket: two months on date of certification
10-days-ticket: 00:00 o`clock of date of certification until 24:00 o`clock on the 9th following day

More Infos: Tolling Regulations (Asfinag)

Digital Vignette

Instead of buying a toll sticker it is possible to buy a digital vignette by registering the license plate. The digital vignette is onyl available online: www.asfinag.at/toll/vignette 
Alternatively it can be bought via the Asfinag-App "Unterwegs". 

A9 Pyhrnautobahn Gleinalm und Bosruck Tunnel

A 10 Tauernautobahn Tauern und Katschberg Tunnel

A 11 Karawankentunnel

* Ticket is valid for 14 rides through the Karawankentunnel within a period of 30 days. Not consumet rides will expire after this period. The ticket can only be used for one vehicle.

A13 Brennerautobahn

S16 Arlbergschnellstraße

Closed until 2. Oktober 2017

The payment of the toll for categories 2 ,3 and 4 must be carried out by the electronic toll system (www.go-maut.at)
All prices for category 1 vehicles (vehicles with an overall weight up to 3,5 t, there is no toll duty for trailers which are pulled by multi-lane vehicles and have a maximum overall weight of 3,5 t).

The "GO - BOX" must be carried along in the vehicle and is available at ÖAMTC bases.

Video Toll

On Pyhrn-, Tauern- or Brenner-Autobahn toll can be paid by drivers directly at the tollgates or discharged in advance by a video toll ticket. Coming-in vehicles are identified on the video toll lane based on their number-plate and can pass through the tollgate with a speed of about 15 km/h without stopping. Fits for two-lane vehicles (not possible for caravan, car with a trailer or motorbike) with a maximum width of 2,30 m. If the video toll system does not identify a vehicle with a valid video toll ticket (e.g. because the number-plate ist dirty), it will be redirected to an open toll lane where the toll can be paid directly.

More Info (and details to selling points): http://www.videomaut.at (only german)

Scenic Routes, Austrian Passes

Großglockner High Alpine Road
Opening hours: Beginning of May- 31. May: 6 am - 8 pm;
1. June - 31. August: 5 am - 9.30 pm; 1. September- End of October: 6 am - 7.30 pm
More Infos: www.grossglockner.at

Gerlos Alpine Road / Wonder World of Water
Opening hours: open year-round; Wonder World of Water closed for the winter (end of October until the beginning of May)
More Infos: www.gerlosstrasse.at/

Nockalm Road
Opening hours: closed for the winter (end of October until the beginning of May)
More Infos: www.nockalmstrasse.at/

Villach Alpine Road
Opening hours: open year-round
More Infos: www.villacher-alpenstrasse.at

Felbertauern Road
Opening hours: open year-round
More Infos: www.felbertauern.at

Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road
Opening hours: During summer the road is opened daily from 7 am until 8 pm. (Night closure!).
More Infos: www.timmelsjoch-hochalpenstrasse.at/

Silvretta High Alpine Road
Opening hours: closed for the winter (end of October until the beginning of May)
More Infos: www.silvretta-bielerhoehe.at

Speed Limits

Built-up areas: 50 km/h

*) 110 km/h between 10 pm and 5 am on the following motorways: A10 (Tauern), A12 (Inntal), A13 (Brenner) and A14 (Rheintal) **) goods vehicles over 7,5 t are prohibited from travelling at night between 10 pm and 5 am on all roads in Austria.

Blood alcohol level

The maximum permitted level of alcohol in the blood is 0,5

Seat belts and child restraints

Occupants of all seats equipped with a seat belt (including rear seats) must wear that belt, whether they are visitors or residents. Persons found not wearing the seat belt when stopped by an officer of the law can either be warned, or receive a fine on-the-spot of 35 EUR. If the fine is not paid immediately or in due course, it can be increased to 72 EUR and even lead to 24 hours detention.

Children under 14 years old and less than 1,50 m in height travelling in vehicles registered in Austria or abroad must use special seat belts adapted to their size or special child restraints, both at the front and at the rear of the vehicle. Vehicles without such protection (e.g. two seater sports cars or lorries) may not be used at all to transport children under 14 years of age. (This regulation does not apply to buses or to vehicles used to transport school children, or in farming and forestry.). Child restraints in Austria must conform with ECE standard 44/03 or 44/04. Children under 14 years of age but over 1,50 m in height must use the adult seat belt. Exceptionally, children over 1,35 m are allowed to use a 3-point belt without special booster seat on condition that the belt does not come across their neck or throat. Otherwise the driver could receive a yellow card .

Use of mobile phones

The use of a mobilephone when driving is prohibited. Only hands-free mobilephones may be used when driving.

Warning triangles and first aid kit

All vehicles registered in Austria or abroad must be equipped with a warning triangle and a first-aid kit, which must be in a strong, dirt-proof box.

Safety jacket/waistcoat

Motorists whose vehicles is immobilised on the carriageway outside a built-up area at night, or in poor visibility, must wear a reflectorised jacket (available at ÖAMTC).

Winter tyres

From 1st November to 15 April, vehicles must be fitted with winter tyres if weather conditions so require. These tyres must be fitted on all wheels when roads are covered in snow or ice. The tyres must bear the mark M+S or M&S and have a minimum tread of 4 mm. Alternately, vehicles with summer tyres must have chains, see below.

Note
It is the driver's legal responsibility to carry the required winter equipment; therefore, it is essential to check that it is included in any hire car. This regulation applies to vehicles registered in Austria as well as those registered abroad.

Spiked tyres:
Spiked tyres may be used only on vehicles with steel radial tyres, of a maximum total authorised weight not exceeding 3,500 kg and a maximum axle weight not exceeding 1,800 kg. They must be fitted on all wheels. If the towing vehicle has spiked tyres, the trailer must be fitted with spiked tyres on all wheels.

Spiked tyres may be used only from 1st October to 31 May, though special local regulations may extend this period. These regulations also apply to temporarily imported vehicles.

Vehicles fitted with spiked tyres are subject to special speed limits (80 km/h outside built-up areas, 100 km/h on motorways), and must display at the rear the approved "spiked tyres" sign. This sign is available from the OeAMTC, petrol stations, etc.

Snow chains:
The use of snow chains is permitted. In extreme conditions the authorities can require cars to be fitted with snow chains on the driving wheels. All-wheel drive vehicles must be fitted with snow chains on at least two driving wheels of the same axle. The international road sign is used. The maximum speed recommended is 40 km/h.
Snow chains can be hired from ÖAMTC offices in Tyrol, Salzburg, Upper Austria and Carinthia by members of the ÖAMTC. They can also be hired at some of the major border crossings.

Austrian currency

Austria belongs to the EURO-currency-area.

Currency regulations

All currencies may be imported and exported without restrictions.

Pay cash / Pay cashless

Most hotels and shops accept American Express, Eurocard/Mastercard, Diners Club and Visa. All convertible currencies are accepted at the change counters at the airports, in larger hotels, post offices, banks, tourist information bureaus and other official bureaus de change.

Tip

All charges are generally included in the total amount of a bill or invoice. In return for good service, for example in restaurants, at the hairdresser's and in taxis, it is customary to give a tip of approximately 10% of the total.

Larger petrol stations accept international credit cards. In towns and on major roads petrol stations are open from 8 am to 8 pm, some are open 24 hours. On motorways they are generally open 24 hours. Leaded petrol and petrol containing a lead additive are no longer available.  The lead additive can be bought at petrol stations and added to the fuel tank.  There are approximately 16 stations selling LPG.
Motorists arriving from a non-EU country may import duty free the fuel in the tanks of their vehicle and 10 litres in a can.  Customs duty and tax is levied on any quantity exceeding 10 litres.  There is no limit for motorists coming from EU countries.

• 1 January: New Year's Day
• 6 January: Epiphany, Easter Monday
• 1 May: National Holiday, Ascension Day, Whit Monday
• 22. May: Corpus Christi
• 15 August: Assumption of the Virgin Mary
• 26 October: National Holiday
• 1 November: All Saints' Day
• 8 December: Immaculate Conception
• 25 December: Christmas Day
• 26 December: Boxing Day

Breakdown Service

ÖAMTC Breakdown-Service
The ÖAMTC breakdown service can be reached 24 hours on telephone number +43 1 25 120 20.

Information about road conditions and other important information for drivers can be obtained from the ÖAMTC on the following number:
Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland:0810 120 120
Upper Austria: 0732 33 33
Carinthia: 0463 325 23
Salzburg: 0662 63 999
Styria: 0316 504
Tyrol: 0512 33 32
Vorarlberg: 05572 232 32

Emergency Numbers

• Police: +43 133
• Ambulance: +43 144
• Fire brigade: +43 122
• ÖAMTC assistance booklet: +43 1 25 120 00
• call 112 (Euronotruf)

The austrian motorway and highway road network, which is more than 2.000 km long at the moment, is subject to toll duty.

More Infos: www.asfinag.at

International dialing code

to Austria: +43 (plus citycode without "0")

Phone cards can be bought in post offices, kiosks and partly at gasoline stations. Concerning long distance calls it is more favourable using phone boxes than using the hotels telephone.

Mobile and car phones

For detailed information on using a mobile phone abroad, please contact your network operator.

ÖAMTC Headquarter
Baumgasse 129
A-1030 Vienna
Tel. +43 (0)1 711 99-0
Fax +43 (0)1 713 18 07
E-mail: office@oeamtc.at
Internet: www.oeamtc.at and www.autotouring.at

Austrian Campingclub (ÖCC)
Baumgasse 129
A-1030 Vienna
Tel. +43 (0)1 713 61 51
Fax +43 (0)1 711 99 2754
E-mail: office@campingclub.at
Internet: www.campingclub.at

Austrian National Tourist Office / Austrian Tourism
austria.info Holiday Service Center
Tel. 00800 400 200 00 (free of charge: Germany, Austria and Switzerland)
Fax 0810 10 18 19
E-mail: urlaub@austria.info
Internet: www.austria.info