Tolls & vignettes on the way to Tuscany: What matters before departure

For many drivers, Tuscany doesn't begin in Siena or Florence, but at the first tollbooth. Those traveling from Germany usually take the Brenner Pass through Austria or the Gotthard Pass through Switzerland. In both countries, a vignette is mandatory for using the motorway, and failing to do so can quickly become expensive. This article therefore focuses not on price lists, but on what really matters before setting off: Anyone driving via the Brenner Pass should check the vignette requirement for the Brenner route before leaving home, as the vignette must be valid before entering the motorway.

The vignette should be part of your travel preparations.

In Austria, toll enforcement is carried out using license plates, by on-site toll inspectors and cameras with license plate recognition. Therefore, what matters is not what's stuck to your windshield, but whether a valid vignette is registered for your license plate. A single transposed letter or an incorrectly selected country of registration is enough to invalidate the vignette for your vehicle.

Three points help to avoid such mistakes:

• Check the license plate number and country of registration. Before paying, compare the details with the vehicle registration document.
• Awaiting confirmation. The digital vignette is valid as soon as the registration confirmation is received, usually within a few minutes. You should only start driving then.
• Choose the starting day deliberately. With the Austrian 10-day vignette, the starting day is included. Someone staying in Tuscany for two weeks will not have their outward and return journeys covered by this vignette unless they opt for the 2-month vignette.

Digital instead of stickers

Austria is switching over: The adhesive vignette for 2026 will be the last; vignettes from December 1, 2026, onward will only be available digitally. This has advantages for travelers. The digital vignette is linked to the license plate, so nothing can get lost or go missing when the windshield is replaced. There's no need to stick anything on it or wait in line anywhere, neither at the gas station nor at the border. And because nothing is printed, it's also the more environmentally friendly option.

Einen solchen Weg bietet zum Beispiel Europamaut, ein privater Dienstleister, der die digitale Vignette bei der zuständigen Behörde für Sie registriert. Europamaut ist keine amtliche Stelle; die Vignette ist nach der Registrierungsbestätigung sofort gültig. Bezahlt wird per PayPal, Kreditkarte und weiteren gängigen Zahlarten, und bei Fragen ist der E-Mail-Support rund um die Uhr erreichbar, was bei einer Abfahrt am frühen Morgen durchaus praktisch ist.

Additional costs

Die Vignette deckt in Österreich nicht alles ab. Auf einzelnen Abschnitten wird stattdessen eine eigene Streckenmaut fällig, auf der Route in den Süden vor allem auf der Brennerautobahn (A 13). Sie kostet 2026 für eine Einzelfahrt mit dem Pkw 12,50 €. Wer ohne gültige Vignette erwischt wird, zahlt laut ASFINAG eine Ersatzmaut von 200 €, die die Vignette nicht ersetzt, sondern nur die Weiterfahrt bis zum Folgetag erlaubt.

Switzerland only offers the annual vignette, which costs 40 Swiss francs. Since August 1, 2023, it has also been available as a digital e-vignette, which is also affixed to the license plate. Driving without a valid vignette results in a fine of 200 francs, and the vignette must be purchased immediately.

In Italy, there is no vignette. Tolls on the motorways are paid at the toll booths based on distance traveled; the amount depends on the vehicle class and whether you enter or exit the motorway. Be sure to bring a card or some cash. The European toll flat rate, which covers eight countries including Austria and Switzerland, is not valid there.

If you drive more often: the flat rate

Those who travel south several times a year, for example at Easter, in summer, and in autumn, can plan ahead with the Europamaut flat rate. It costs €12,80 per month and covers the official toll fee for the 10-day vignette for cars in full, so no separate payment to the authorities is required. You activate the 10-day vignette yourself for each trip. This is worthwhile from the very first vignette, as €12,80 corresponds to the official price of the 10-day vignette.

Quick checklist before departure

• Set route: Austria, Switzerland or both countries.
• Buy the vignette digitally and check the license plate.
• Wait for registration confirmation, then set off.
• Plan for Brenner Pass toll and payment method for Italy.
• Check validity in advance, for example with the free validity check at europamaut.com.

Those who check off these points will arrive relaxed and can concentrate on what they go to Tuscany for: cypress hills, good food and time.