Austrian Toll Exemptions and New Possession‑Disturbance Rules Hit German Drivers

The Austrian road authority ASFINAG has designated several motorway sections that can be used without a vignette. The most notable for German motorists is a 4‑km stretch of the A12 between Kufstein‑Süd and Kiefersfelden in Tyrol, plus sections on the A1 near Salzburg, the A14 in Vorarlberg and the under‑construction A26 in Upper Austria. Drivers must ensure their navigation settings avoid toll‑required routes, as failure to display a valid vignette can result in a replacement toll of €200 for vehicles up to 3.5 t from 1 January 2026.

Separately, Austria introduced new rules in 2026 to curb abusive "possession‑disturbance" claims, where private landowners charge motorists for brief stops or turns on private property. Legal fees for such cases have been capped at €40 for attorney costs and €70 for court fees, bringing the lowest possible settlement to about €200. The ÖAMTC reports around 1,000 annual complaints, while the ADAC advises German drivers to verify the legitimacy of any demand and only pay if justified.

Both measures aim to protect motorists from unexpected charges and to standardise enforcement across the border, affecting a large number of German holiday travelers using Austrian motorways.