Border Crossing: Austria-Slovenia

The border between Austria and Slovenia stretches over a length of 330 km. The largest section of the border is formed by the Karawanks, the Bacher Mountains and the Lavanttal Alps. Further border sections run along the rivers Kutschenitza, Mur and Drau. These particular geographical conditions mean that only a few border crossings are available to drivers. For holidaymakers, the Karawanken Tunnel and the motorway crossing Spielfeld (AT) – Šentilj (SVN) are of central importance.

Entry requirements and border controls

Within the EU Schengen area, there are generally no border controls. However, exceptions can be ordered on certain occasions to protect public order and internal security. These include, for example, international sporting events such as a football World Cup as well as major political events. Due to increased illegal immigration, the border crossings on the Austrian side are nevertheless being checked more intensively as of 2023.

As an EU citizen, you can usually pass border controls without any problems with a passport or ID card and are allowed to carry goods for personal use. One disadvantage of border controls can be longer waiting times at the border crossings. However, if you register your digital vignette in advance, you can at least avoid having to wait additionally at the toll station and pass through the station without stopping.

Important border crossings

For holidaymakers, the Karawanken Tunnel and the motorway crossing Šentilj (SVN) – Spielfeld (AT) are among the most important border crossings from Slovenia to Austria.

• Karawanken Tunnel: The nearly eight-kilometre-long Karawanken Tunnel was built between 1986 and 1991 and connects the Slovenian A2 motorway, which runs directly through Ljubljana, with the Austrian A11 motorway. The construction of the tunnel shortened the travel time between Ljubljana and Villach by more than an hour. During the travel season in the summer months, more than 30,000 vehicles pass through the tunnel every day, which can lead to increased waiting times. In the event of high traffic volumes and risk of congestion, the maximum speed in the tunnel is reduced from 80 km/h to 50 km/h, which further extends the travel time. Outside the travel season, around 10,000 vehicles use the tunnel per day.

• Šentilj (SVN) – Spielfeld (AT): There are two border crossings on the border between Šentilj and Spielfeld. One is the motorway crossing between the Austrian A9 and the Slovenian A1, the other connects the Austrian federal road B67 with the Slovenian main road 437. The crossing between B67 and 437 can be used to avoid toll fees. However, travelling without motorways and expressways is usually associated with a significantly longer travel time. Travelling via motorways is generally less stressful for travellers, especially if digital vignettes are registered in advance. For transit to Croatia, the motorway crossing Spielfeld – Šentilj is particularly useful, as the A1 near Maribor leads to the A4, which takes you directly to the Croatian border.

Austria

The following section gives you an overview of whether you need a vignette and whether there is a distance-based toll.

Vignette requirement (or not?)

Fees in the form of a vignette requirement apply for the use of the Austrian motorway and expressway network. Accordingly, vehicles up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight require a (digital) vignette. You can find more information on the toll in Austria in our guide. With us, you can conveniently purchase your digital vignette from the comfort of your home.

In addition, there are also vignette-free motorway sections as well as ways to avoid the vignette requirement. You can read about how sensible it is to bypass the toll in our article on bypassing the toll.

Distance-based toll

Please note that for vehicles over 3.5 t gross vehicle weight, the vignette requirement does not apply and instead a distance-based toll must be paid. This mileage-dependent toll is billed using a GO-Box, which must be installed in the vehicle for data collection.

Special toll routes

In addition to the vignette requirement and the distance-based toll, there are certain special toll routes in Austria that you should take into account on your journey. Additional fees apply for their use, independent of the digital vignette or the distance-based toll. You can find more information on the special toll and a list of all relevant special toll routes in our article on special toll routes in Austria.

Slovenia

The following section gives you an overview of whether you need a vignette and whether a distance-based toll exists.

Vignette requirement (or not?)

If you want to use the Slovenian motorways and expressways, you need a digital vignette, the so-called E-Vinjeta. Additional fees also apply on certain routes (e.g. at the Karawanken Tunnel). You can choose between different validity periods.

Distance-based toll

If your vehicle exceeds 3.5 t gross vehicle weight, you need a DarsGo transmitter unit instead of the vignette to collect the distance-based toll. This is made up of, among other things, the kilometres driven, the number of axles and the Euro emission class. The Euro emission class is divided into emission classes 1 to 6, with 1 representing higher and 6 representing lower pollutant emissions.

Special toll

A special toll also exists in Slovenia. This means that you must pay an additional fee for driving on certain special toll routes, regardless of the digital vignette and the distance-based toll. You can find more information on the special toll in Slovenia in our guide.

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!

We wish you a good journey and are happy to help with any questions about toll regulations. Feel free to use our route planner to plan your trip perfectly and see the right toll products displayed. Contact us if you have any further questions about your trip or our digital vignette via our email.