A10 Tauern Autobahn: Exit closures in Salzburg from 10 July 2026

Anyone driving south on the Tauern Autobahn (A 10) during the summer holidays will need to prepare for important restrictions starting Friday, 10 July 2026. The state of Salzburg is once again activating exit closures along the A 10. The aim of this measure is to prevent diversion traffic through numerous municipalities and to protect residents from traffic jams and noise.

The regulation applies until 13 September 2026, midnight, and is in effect around the clock throughout this period. Unlike in the past, the closures are therefore not limited to particularly busy weekends. At the same time, summer holidays begin in parts of Austria, in several German federal states, and in parts of the Netherlands. Traffic forecasts therefore expect increased traffic volume from Friday on the A 10 heading south. Experience shows that volumes tend to rise further on weekends until early August.

Anyone also planning a stop in the city of Salzburg should keep in mind the new entry and parking rules for day-trippers in July and August 2026. You can find details in our article Salzburg: Entry rules for day-trippers in July and August 2026.

Where do the exit closures apply?

The exit closures affect the section between the city of Salzburg and Zederhaus in the Lungau region. In this area, drivers are no longer allowed to freely leave the motorway to bypass traffic jams and then return to the A 10.

In principle, you may only leave the motorway if you are actually heading for a destination in Austria. This includes, for example, hotels, holiday apartments, campsites, excursion destinations, or private visits. Anyone wanting to leave the motorway merely to bypass a traffic jam must stay on the motorway.

During checks, the authorities may request proof of your travel destination. It is therefore advisable to have booking confirmations or other suitable documents ready at hand. Depending on traffic conditions, police and authorities will carry out corresponding checks.

Refuelling away from the motorway remains permitted

There is an important exception for drivers who want to avoid the high fuel prices at motorway service stations. Anyone leaving the motorway to reach a petrol station outside the A 10 is pursuing a permitted travel purpose and may generally use the exit. However, this requires that you actually refuel and that the exit is not used merely to bypass a traffic jam and immediately return to the motorway afterwards.

Anyone refuelling away from the motorway can often save significantly and does not violate the current exit closures, provided that refuelling is the genuine purpose of the exit.

Town centres also remain closed to through traffic

In addition to the exit closures, through-traffic bans in several municipalities along the route are once again in effect. These include, among others, Anif, Grödig, Elsbethen, Großgmain, and Wals-Siezenheim.

Here too, the authorities are pursuing the same goal: local through-roads should not be used as a diversion route for transit traffic. In recent years, navigation systems repeatedly guided drivers through small towns during traffic jams on the Tauern Autobahn. For many municipalities, this meant considerable strain from noise, exhaust fumes, and slow-moving traffic.

With the exit closures and the through-traffic bans, the state of Salzburg aims to keep transit traffic on the motorway and improve residents' quality of life. The regulations were already successfully used at Pentecost. According to the authorities, the checks went largely without major problems.

What does this mean for your travel planning?

Travellers heading to Carinthia, Italy, Slovenia, or Croatia in particular should take these regulations into account when planning their trip. Anyone without an actual destination in Austria may not use the closed exits. As a result, waiting on the motorway is often the only option during traffic jams.

Especially on holiday weekends, it is therefore advisable to plan enough time, follow current traffic reports, and bring along sufficient drinks and food. This way, the journey can be approached much more relaxed despite possible delays. Setting off early and avoiding peak times as much as possible remains one of the most effective measures.

Toll: What you should keep in mind

If you use the Tauern Autobahn, it is worth taking a quick look at the toll regulations in Austria. On motorways and expressways, cars, motorcycles, and motorhomes up to 3.5 t technically permissible maximum mass (without occupants, field F.1 in the vehicle registration document) require a valid vignette. You can conveniently purchase the digital vignette in our online shop, for example via the 10-day vignette flat rate for Austria. If the technically permissible maximum mass exceeds 3.5 t, the vignette requirement no longer applies. Instead, larger motorhomes, trucks, and buses require a GO-Box for the distance-based toll.

On sections such as the Tauern Tunnel or the Katschberg Tunnel, an additional route toll or special toll applies. The vignette does not cover these sections. You can find details in our guides on the Tauern Tunnel and on route toll and special toll. Our route planner can help with route planning and possible alternatives. Before setting off, also check current traffic reports so you don't get caught off guard by traffic jams and checks.

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!

We wish you a good drive through Salzburg and onward to the south. With a bit of forward planning, enough time buffer, and the right proof of an Austrian travel destination, you can reach your destination more relaxed even during peak season. If you have any questions about the vignette and tolls in Austria, you can reach us at any time by email.

FAQ: A10 exit closures Salzburg summer 2026

From when do the exit closures on the A10 apply?

Since Friday, 10 July 2026, the exit closures apply on the Tauern Autobahn between the city of Salzburg and Zederhaus. The regulation runs until 13 September 2026, midnight, continuously, not just on weekends.

Who is allowed to leave the motorway despite the exit closure?

Only those with an actual destination in Austria, such as a hotel, holiday apartment, campsite, excursion destination, or private visit. Simply bypassing traffic jams is not allowed. Proof may be requested during checks.

Am I allowed to leave the A10 to refuel?

Yes, if you actually go to a petrol station outside the motorway and refuel. The exit must not merely serve to bypass a traffic jam and immediately return to the A 10 afterwards.

Which towns are additionally closed?

Additionally, through-traffic bans apply in several town centres, including Anif, Grödig, Elsbethen, Großgmain, and Wals-Siezenheim.

What applies at the same time in the city of Salzburg?

In the months of July and August 2026, stricter entry and parking rules for day-trippers apply in the historic city centre.

Do I need a vignette for the A10?

For motorways and expressways, vehicles up to 3.5 t technically permissible maximum mass require a valid vignette. For tunnels with a route toll or special toll (such as Tauern or Katschberg), an additional corresponding fee applies.