Countries › Austria
Austria
At a glance
- Traffic
- on the right
- Currency
- EUR
- Plugs
- types C, F · 230 V
- Emergency
- 112
Entering the country
- Schengen Area: 90 days in any 180-day period, all Schengen countries counted together.
- Passport valid at least 3 months after you leave Schengen and issued less than 10 years ago.
- EES: fingerprints and photo taken on your first entry into Schengen, then checked at each crossing (system in place since 2025-2026).
- ETIAS: online travel authorisation, planned for late 2026; check whether it's in force before you go.
Driver and insurance
- International Driving Permit required with your Canadian or US licence (CAA, AAA).
- Insurance: your North American policy isn't valid here. You need European insurance for a vehicle registered outside Europe, with its green card.
Speed limits
| Town | Road | Motorway | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car, light RV | 50 | 100 | 130 |
| With a trailer or caravan | 50 | 80 | 100 |
In km/h. Signs always take precedence.
Tolls and vignettes Vignette
Vignette required on motorways and expressways (1 day, 10 days, 2 months or 1 year), digital (tied to the plate) or sticker. Bought online by a private person, the digital vignette is only valid after 18 days: buy it early or at a sales point. Over 3.5 t: distance toll with a GO-Box unit. Separate tolls: Brenner (A13), Tauern (A10), Karawanken (A11), Arlberg (S16).
Low-emission zones
None known for cars and RVs.
Boondocking Banned
Wild camping banned (fines), especially in Tyrol and Salzburg. One rest night parked is sometimes tolerated depending on the town.
Mandatory equipment
- Reflective vest, within reach
- Warning triangle
- First-aid kit
- Country-of-registration sticker (CDN or USA) on the back
Winter : Winter equipment depending on conditions, usually from November 1 to April 15.
Good to know
- Winter equipment required November 1 to April 15 in snowy or icy conditions; over 3.5 t: winter tires and chains on board.
- Emergency corridor ("Rettungsgasse") required in traffic jams.
Frequently asked questions
- Austria: what do you need to enter the country with your vehicle?
- Schengen Area: 90 days in any 180-day period, all Schengen countries counted together. Passport valid at least 3 months after you leave Schengen and issued less than 10 years ago. EES: fingerprints and photo taken on your first entry into Schengen, then checked at each crossing (system in place since 2025-2026). ETIAS: online travel authorisation, planned for late 2026; check whether it's in force before you go. International Driving Permit required with your Canadian or US licence (CAA, AAA). Insurance: your North American policy isn't valid here. You need European insurance for a vehicle registered outside Europe, with its green card.
- Austria: what are the speed limits?
- Car and light RV: 50 in town, 100 on rural roads, 130 on motorways (km/h). With a trailer or caravan: 80 on rural roads, 100 on motorways.
- Austria: do you need a vignette or pay tolls?
- Vignette required on motorways and expressways (1 day, 10 days, 2 months or 1 year), digital (tied to the plate) or sticker. Bought online by a private person, the digital vignette is only valid after 18 days: buy it early or at a sales point. Over 3.5 t: distance toll with a GO-Box unit. Separate tolls: Brenner (A13), Tauern (A10), Karawanken (A11), Arlberg (S16).
- Austria: are there low emission zones?
- None known for cars and RVs.
- Austria: is wild camping allowed?
- Banned. Wild camping banned (fines), especially in Tyrol and Salzburg. One rest night parked is sometimes tolerated depending on the town.
- Austria: what equipment is required in the vehicle?
- Reflective vest, within reach, Warning triangle, First-aid kit, Country-of-registration sticker (CDN or USA) on the back. Winter equipment depending on conditions, usually from November 1 to April 15.