Alpine transit changes: New tolls and digital vignettes in Austria and Switzerland

Travelers driving through the Alpine regions face upcoming changes to highway tolling systems in Austria and Switzerland.

In Austria, the operator ASFINAG has announced that physical adhesive vignettes for windshields will be completely phased out by February 1, 2027. From that date, only digital vignettes will be available. For 2026, toll rates will increase by 2.9 percent, with a yearly vignette costing 106.80 euros. Drivers are cautioned to use official channels, such as the ASFINAG online shop or authorized physical distributors, to avoid fraudulent websites.

Meanwhile, Switzerland is moving toward implementing a transit fee for vehicles passing through the country from one neighboring nation to another without a significant stay. The Swiss Parliament has approved the plan, which specifically targets North-South traffic, such as travelers using Swiss routes as an alternative to the Brenner Pass to reach Italy. While exact pricing is not yet finalized, reports suggest the fee could be approximately 21 Swiss francs per transit. The Swiss Federal Council is tasked with developing the implementation details.