Austria keeps the European 130 kph standard on its Autobahn network — same as Germany's posted-limit sections. The 100 kph rural and 50 kph urban defaults match most of central Europe. The Austrian motorway vignette (Pickerl) is required for any Autobahn use and includes scaled fines for non-compliance.
Speed limits at a glance
| Road type | Limit |
|---|---|
| In built-up areas (cities, towns) | 50 kph (31 mph) |
| Residential / school zones | 30 kph (19 mph) |
| Outside built-up areas (rural) | 100 kph (62 mph) |
| Motorways / expressways | 130 kph (81 mph) |
About speed limits in Austria
Austria's Autobahn network is well-developed and modern but tightly enforced. The 130 kph limit applies universally on the main motorway network. Some short Autobahn sections in cities or near construction post lower limits (100 or 80) that are enforced strictly by camera.
The Austrian motorway vignette (Pickerl) costs around EUR 11 for 10 days, EUR 32 for 2 months, EUR 96 annually as of 2026. A digital version is available. Driving without a vignette is EUR 120 fine plus mandatory purchase. Vignettes must be visible on the windshield or proven digitally.
Austria has used the IG-L (Immissionsschutzgesetz-Luft) emission-based variable speed limit since 2014. On certain Autobahn sections, the limit drops to 100 or 80 kph when air quality thresholds are exceeded. Variable signs are binding. The IG-L applies year-round on the A12 (Inntalautobahn) and other Alpine sections sensitive to air pollution.
Alpine tunnel sections (Tauerntunnel, Plabutschtunnel, others) use section-control averaging. Long, downhill stretches into valleys (Tauern descent to Salzburg) are heavily camera-monitored due to brake-overheating risk and accident history.
Enforcement
Austria uses fixed cameras, mobile radar (Stationäre and Mobile Radarmessung), and section-control averaging (Abschnittskontrolle) on tunnels and key Alpine sections. The Polizei operates marked and unmarked patrol cars with radar.
Tolerance
Tolerance is 5 kph for limits up to 100 kph and 5 percent above. So 137 kph on a 130 limit becomes 130 — no fine. Section-control averaging uses the same tolerance on computed average. Vignette enforcement is separate; the fine for missing vignette does not include speeding tolerance.
Fines for speeding
EUR 30 for under 20 kph over on Autobahn, rising to EUR 700+ plus license suspension for 50+ kph over. Vignette missing is EUR 120 plus mandatory purchase. License suspension at the roadside (Vorläufiger Führerscheinentzug) applies at 40+ kph over in town or 50+ on motorway.
Frequently asked questions
Does Austria have unrestricted Autobahn like Germany?
No. The Austrian Autobahn limit is 130 kph universally, with some short sections at 100 or 80. There are no unrestricted stretches like the German Autobahn. The IG-L emission rules can lower the limit further on specific sections when air quality is poor.
What is the Austrian Pickerl?
The motorway vignette (Pickerl) required for any Autobahn use. Costs around EUR 11 for 10 days, EUR 32 for 2 months, EUR 96 annually. A digital version is available. Foreign cars need it from the moment they enter an Austrian Autobahn. Missing vignette is EUR 120 fine plus mandatory purchase.
What is IG-L speed limit?
A variable emission-based limit on certain Austrian Autobahn sections. When air quality thresholds are exceeded, the limit drops from 130 to 100 or 80 kph. Common on the A12 Inntalautobahn through Tyrol and other Alpine routes. The variable signs are binding and enforced by camera.
How strict are Austrian speed cameras?
Moderate by European standards. Tolerance is 5 kph below 100 kph and 5 percent above. Section-control on Alpine tunnels and downhill stretches is well-known. Long downhill sections (Tauern descent) are heavily enforced due to brake-overheating risk. License suspension at the roadside applies at 40+ kph over in town.
Speed limits in other countries
Limits, tolerances and fines differ sharply across borders. These pages cover the same ground for every country we have researched.
- Australia
- Belgium
- Canada
- Denmark
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Japan
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Portugal
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Turkey
- United Kingdom
- United States
Related tools
- Convert KPH to MPH — convert any speed reading between units.
- Car speed test — verify your speedometer accuracy.
- Live GPS speedometer — see your actual speed in the browser.
- Stopping distance calculator — how far you need to brake from each speed.