FAQ about border with Austria

Austria is a unique transit hub with 8 borders and low financial requirements.

Advantages:

• 8 borders — access to all directions:
• North: Germany, Czech Republic
• East: Slovakia, Hungary
• South: Slovenia, Italy
• West: Switzerland, Liechtenstein

• Low financial requirements:
• €55/day — one of the lowest in Schengen!
• Compare: Switzerland €100+, Netherlands €75

• Railway hub:
• ÖBB Railjet NOT subject to controls!
• Vienna–Budapest, Vienna–Prague, Vienna–Munich

• Vienna Airport:
• Direct flights from Ukraine
• EES active since October 2025

Disadvantages:

• 4 borders with controls until 2026
• Brenner Crisis (Italy)
• Expensive vignette €103.80 + extra tolls

Yes, EES is active since October 12, 2025!

Current status:

• Vienna Airport (Schwechat): ✅ Fully active
• Salzburg, Graz, Innsbruck: ✅ Active
• Land borders: ✅ First entry only

Who must register:

• Third-country nationals (non-EU/EEA)
• Including Ukrainians, Moldovans, Georgians
• NOT EU/EEA/Swiss citizens

Process:

• Biometric passport scan
• Facial photo
• Fingerprints (4 fingers)
• Purpose of visit questions

Time:

• First entry: +10–20 minutes
• Subsequent entries: minimal impact

*System automatically tracks 90/180 days!*

Yes, a vignette is mandatory! Austria has the strictest system with additional toll roads.

Annual vignette 2025:

• €103.80 (7.7% increase from 2024!)
• 14 months validity
• Entire motorway network (A1–A17)
• e-Vignette available online

Additional tolls (SEPARATE!):

• A13 Brenner: €12.00 (single) / €69.00 (annual)
• A11 Karawanken: €11.50 / €69.00
• Lueg Bridge (A10): €9.50 / €57.00

Total cost (minimum): €127–130/year!

Without vignette: fine €120 + mandatory purchase = €223.80!

Where to buy:

• Online: asfinag.at (instant)
• Border stations
• Gas stations (Shell, OMV, BP)

The Brenner Pass (A13) is Europe's busiest Alpine crossing!

Statistics:

• 2.5 million trucks/year
• 14 million vehicles/year
• 50 million tonnes of goods/year
• Critical Munich–Verona corridor

Typical delays:

• Weekends: 30–45 minutes
• Holidays: 1–3 hours
• Peak holidays: 2–6 hours!
• Lorries: 20–48 hours possible!

Brenner Base Tunnel (solution):

• 64 km — world's longest underground railway tunnel!
• 88% completed (2025)
• Full opening: 2032
• Will reduce congestion by 30–50%

Tip: Plan travel for Tuesday–Thursday, avoid Fridays and Sundays!

Austria has 8 land borders — the most in the region!

Neighboring countries:

• Germany — to the north (no controls)
• Czech Republic — to the north (controls until June 2026)
• Slovakia — to the east (controls until June 2026)
• Hungary — to the east (strictest controls!)
• Slovenia — to the south (controls until June 2026)
• Italy — to the south (Brenner — busiest!)
• Switzerland — to the west (no controls)
• Liechtenstein — to the west (no controls)

Important:

• 4 of 8 borders have extended controls
• Brenner (Italy) — 2.5 million trucks/year
• Best choice: Germany or Switzerland (no controls)

Austria introduced a new "Three-Wall Strategy" in December 2025 with extended controls until June 15, 2026.

Three walls of protection:

• Wall 1: Enhanced support for external Balkan borders
• Wall 2: "Operation Fox" — joint surveillance with Hungary
• Wall 3: Permanent mobile patrols + drones + license plate recognition in 30 km zone

4 borders with controls:

• Hungary (A4, A2): 15–45 min delays
• Slovenia (A2, A10): 15–45 min
• Czech Republic: 10–30 min
• Slovakia: 10–30 min

328 soldiers (Bundesheer) deployed at borders!

*Tip: ÖBB Railjet trains are EXEMPT from controls!*