Austria raises traffic fines by about 50% nationwide from 2027

Austria traffic fines 2027 penalty reform ÖAMTC criticism 50% increase uniform fines

Austria’s Federal Ministry of Mobility has published a new traffic‑fine catalogue that will take effect on 1 January 2027. All “anonymous” fines – the standard penalties for minor offences – will be uniform across the nine federal states, ending the previous patchwork of regional rates. The catalogue raises the average fine by roughly 50 percent, with examples such as €60 for illegal parking, €70 for running a yellow light, €100 for ignoring the right‑hand rule on motorways and €200 for failing to create a rescue lane.

The government says the reforms aim to improve road safety after a rise in speed‑related accidents and to generate about €80 million in additional revenue. Transport minister Peter Hanke highlighted that the share of accidents involving excessive speed grew from 14 % in 2024 to over 16 % in 2025, and that speed is a leading cause of fatal crashes.

The Austrian automobile club ÖAMTC welcomed the move toward a single national penalty system but warned that the 50 % increase “well above inflation” could be used to plug budget gaps rather than solely to deter dangerous driving. ÖAMTC also called for uniformity in on‑the‑spot penalties (organ mandates) and cautioned that harmonisation should not automatically mean higher fines.