In Austria, the traffic rules mostly conform to those of the other European Union countries!
- Since 2012, it has been mandatory on motorways and expressways to evacuation route (Rettungsgasse) Design. Vehicles traveling in the outer lane must yield to the right, and those in the inner lane must yield to the left; the resulting passage can then be used freely by vehicles with distinctive markings (rescue, fire department, police, highway operator).
- Blood alcohol level The height in Austria is 0.5 percent
- Between November 1 and April 15, mandatory on all four wheels winter tireYou can use t or at least one of the wheels with snow chains. However, using snow chains on ice-covered asphalt is possible so as not to damage the road surface.
- IG-L Sign under the speed limit sign: The restriction has no safety reasons; it is imposed to slow down traffic due to environmental regulations. Speeding carries a fine of 30-50 euros, while violating environmental regulations can result in a fine of 2000-3000 euros.
- Annual motorway vignette (Pkw) in 2026: 106.80 euros. The annual vignette for 2026 is valid from December 1, 2025 to January 31, 2027.
- The two-month vignette fee in 2026: 32.00 euros.
- The 10-day vignette fee in 2026: 12.80 euros. In addition, a digital 1-day vignette is also available (9.60 euros).
Important change: The 2026 license plate is the last one that is still offered in a stick-on form. From 2027 onwards, there will only be digital license plates that are linked to the license plate number. For online purchases, the annual and two-month license plates will only take effect on the 18th day after purchase.
Motorway stickers can now be purchased online from the Austrian motorway network operator On the ASFINAG website, which is also available in Hungarian.
Car buying/refinancing/sequencing
- In Austria, license plates also designate the city.
- The license plate belongs to the owner, not to the car. When buying a car, you need to purchase a separate license plate, and when selling the license plate remains yours.
- One license plate is sufficient for up to three cars; it must always be attached to the vehicle they are traveling in. You can only use one vehicle at a time, so insurance companies have accepted this. You must always pay the insurance fee for the most powerful car.
- Regulation by place of residenceWith a temporary residence (Nebenwohnsitz) you can use your Hungarian-registered car for one year. With a permanent residence (Hauptwohnsitz) you are given a one-month grace period for the registration process. Buying a car for use (that is, not just buying it and placing it into circulation in another country) is only possible with a permanent residence (Hauptwohnsitz).
- In case of a change of address, in some cases you must apply for a new license plate number (for example, if you move to another authority’s territory). The change must be reported to the registration authority within one week. The new Pkw registration fee in 2026 according to official data is a total of about 270 euros: official part 178 euros, processing fee 65.60 euros, license plates 23 euros, local search and examination fee 3.40 euros. The traffic permit in the size of a bank card costs an additional 31.10 euros. If you keep the license plate, the license plate fee does not apply. The exact cost should always be asked for at the competent registration authority (Official information).
Documents required for administrative purposes (IMPORTANT observing the order of the list!)
- Identity card or passport
- Proof of address (with registration)
- In the case of a purchase, a sales contract
- Your bank account details (from which you pay the insurance)
- In case of applying for a car loan, 6 months of salary certificate (Lohnzettel) and a work contract
- Family book (Typschein), It can be obtained from the car dealerships for 190 euros.
- Technical exam (Pickerl) , 60 euros for the exam fee if there is no need to fix anything. A purchased car does not need to be tested again if it has a valid license plate. In Austria, the car must be tested again every year starting at the age of 4.
- Registration tax (NOVA) Payment to the tax office = Finanzamt and the corresponding certificate. 7% of the car price. In the case of buying an Austrian car, of course, the registration tax does not have to be paid.
- Insurance: Request a historical certificate from Hungary (if available) that includes the Bonus-Malus rating, so your insurance will also be classified in this category here. The insurance premium for an average, mid-range car is 80-150 euros per month.
- You can request the license plate number at the registration office (Zulassungstelle), for 193.50 euros.
Buying a used car:
https://www.gebrauchtwagen.at/detailsuche.php