Last updated: 23.04.2025
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The border between Austria and Italy stretches over 404 km and runs along the Alps. In this article, you will find all the essential information for your trip. We’ll answer key questions for your holiday: Are there border controls? What are the entry requirements? Which border crossings can you use? We’ll also inform you about the toll regulations (vignette requirement, route-specific toll, and special toll roads) that apply in both countries.
Border Controls and Entry Requirements
There is free movement of goods and people between Austria and Italy. This means there are no border checks. However, border police may conduct random ID checks. You should carry a valid ID card or passport when entering. EU citizens do not need a visa.
Border Crossings
There are many border crossings between Austria and Italy that travelers can use. The following are some of the most popular routes:
- Arnoldstein Border Crossing: Located near Villach and Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, this crossing can be used to travel to either Slovenia or Italy. A special feature of this route: heading toward Pontebba or Moggio Udinese, you’ll get a scenic view of the beautiful Aupa Valley.
- Nassfeld Pass: This crossing also leads to Pontebba and lies at 1,500 meters above sea level. It’s well-known as a winter route to ski resorts and a summer gateway to hiking trails.
- Plöcken Pass: Located further west in Carinthia, take the B110 to the Timau region in Italy. The route continues on to Paluzza, Tolmezzo, and Udine.
- Sillian Border Crossing: This route via the B100 and E66 leads to San Candido (Innichen) in Italy.
- Staller Saddle: This pass connects Austria and Italy but is subject to a winter closure and can only be used from May to October.
- Brenner Pass: One of the most famous crossings, connecting Innsbruck and Bolzano. Note that the Brenner motorway often experiences delays and is a special toll route, requiring a route-specific toll.
- Timmelsjoch Pass: Like the Brenner, this famous route also requires a special toll. It is not suitable for trucks and has a night (8 PM - 7 AM) and winter closure (October to May).
- Reschen Pass: This route connects Austria to Graun in Vinschgau and Reschen Lake. Located near the Swiss border, it is popular with travelers from both Austria and Switzerland.
Austria
The following section provides an overview of whether you need a vignette or if route-specific tolls apply.
Austria: Vignette Required (or Not?)
To use Austrian motorways and expressways, a vignette is required. Vehicles under 3.5 tons must have a valid vignette, which you can easily buy online. Depending on your vehicle type, you can choose different validity periods (e.g. 1-day, 10-day vignette, etc.).
Some motorway sections are toll-free. Whether avoiding tolls makes sense for you can be found in our guide.
Route-Specific Toll in Austria
Vehicles over 3.5 tons GVWR are exempt from the vignette but must pay a route-specific toll. This is calculated using a GO-Box, which must be installed in your vehicle.
Special Toll Routes in Austria
In addition to the vignette and route-based tolls, Austria has special toll routes for certain tunnels and mountain passes. These require additional fees regardless of other toll payments. You can find out which routes this applies to in our special toll guide.
Italy
The following section gives you an overview of toll requirements and route-specific tolls in Italy.
Italy: Vignette Required (or Not?)
There is no vignette requirement in Italy. Instead, tolls are charged per route. Additional charges may apply for certain tunnels, mountain passes, car trains (vehicle transportation via rail), and the so-called “City Toll.”
Route-Based Tolls
Most Italian motorways are toll roads. Expressways are usually free. Toll is based on distance driven and vehicle class (number of axles), paid at toll stations. Italy uses closed, open, and free-flow toll systems:
- Closed system: Most common. Take a ticket on entry, pay upon exit based on distance. Important: Even if the entry gate is open, you must still take a ticket or pay later.
- Open system: A flat rate is charged. Applies to routes such as A9 (Como-Milan), A8 (Varese-Milan), A5 (Mont Blanc-Aosta), etc.
- Free-flow system: License plate scanning allows automatic billing without stopping. Routes include A33, A36, A59, and A60.
You can pay at toll booths with cash, credit or debit cards. You may also use devices like the ADAC toll box, Telepass, bip&go, or Camper toll box to drive through yellow-marked Telepass lanes (T-symbol) without stopping. These require a transponder and a contract with automatic payment and may include additional service fees.
- ADAC toll box: Suitable for all vehicles regardless of size.
- Telepass: For all vehicles. Can be ordered online or bought locally at Punto Blu stations and other sellers.
- bip&go: For vehicles up to 3.5 tons.
- Camper toll box: For motorhomes over 3.5 tons.
Toll Tunnels and Mountain Passes
Watch out for toll tunnels in Italy, such as:
Car Trains (Vehicle Shuttle Services)
There are fee-based vehicle tunnels (car trains) between Italy and Switzerland. These include:
- Simplon Tunnel (Switzerland-Italy)
- Lötschberg and Simplon Tunnel (Switzerland-Italy)
City Toll: Milan, Bologna and Palermo
Certain restricted traffic zones (ZTL) in city centers require a fee. The city toll is flat-rate and not distance-based. Applies to Milan, Bologna, and Palermo.
Milan: Entry to the ZTL “Area C” requires a ticket during specific times (Mon-Fri: 7:30 AM - 7:30 PM). Purchase and activate it online (same or next day). Area C includes the old town inside the “Cerchia dei Bastioni.” Check if your vehicle meets emissions standards. Some vehicles (electric, hybrid, disabled access) are exempt but require registration.
Bologna: Entry to the ZTL requires a ticket (daily, 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM). Buy and activate online or at BomoB counters on Piazza Manfredi Azzarita 4 or Via Piero Gobetti 52. Note: The “Zone T” and university areas are fully restricted. Check emissions eligibility. Electric vehicles may be exempt.
Palermo: Entry requires a ticket during specific times (Mon-Fri: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM and Fri night 11 PM – 12 AM, Sat/Sun 12–6 AM). Applies to areas from Piazza Giulio Cesare to Via Cavour and from Porta Nuova to Porta Felice. Tickets available at AMAT (Via A. Borrelli 16), other city offices, ACI offices, or online. Must be activated online or via the PalerMobilità app. Motorcycles and electric vehicles are exempt but must register first.
The DMC Team Wishes You a Pleasant Journey!
If you have further questions, feel free to contact us at [email protected]. Please respect the toll regulations while traveling and enjoy a smooth journey through Austria with our digital vignette. Order your vignette easily and conveniently online and benefit from the immediate validity of your digital Austrian vignette.
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