Italy: Refunds for Roadworks and Prolonged Standstills

From 1 June 2026, Italy will introduce a regulated right to toll refunds for motorway users in the event of significant delays caused by roadworks or traffic standstills, as set out in L’Autorità di Regolazione dei Trasporti (ART) Delibera n. 211/2025. This will be mandatory for routes managed by a single concessionaire from 1 June 2026, and for routes crossing multiple concessionaires from 1 December 2026.

 

Refunds for Roadworks (Scheduled Construction Sites)

The entitlement is proportional and depends on the length of the affected section:

•      Under 30 km: the right to a refund arises regardless of the delay duration.

•      30…50 km: requires at least 10 minutes of delay.

•      Over 50 km: requires at least 15 minutes of delay.

The refund amount is calculated using coefficients set by the relevant authority and takes into account lane reductions, route width and time deviation on each elementary section (the segment between two consecutive toll stations). Emergency worksites, sites already covered by tariff reductions and, in the initial phase, mobile worksites are excluded.

Refunds for Complete Traffic Standstills

Refunds are tiered by waiting time:

•      60–119 minutes: 50% of the paid toll.

•      120–179 minutes: 75% of the paid toll.

•      ≥180 minutes: 100% of the paid toll.

 

How to claim

Operators must provide claim channels (website, telephone assistance, or physical counter) and must respond within 20 days. A single refund app is planned but is not yet available; users should therefore file claims directly with the concessionaire and retain toll receipts and photographic evidence of queues or worksites.

See the ART decision: Delibera n. 211/2025

 

Austria: Digital Vignette and the 18-Day Rule

From 2027, Austria will phase out the adhesive vignette and require the licence-plate-bound digital vignette only. 2026 is the last year the traditional toll sticker is available.

 

2026 Vignette Prices (Passenger Cars, up to 3.5 t)

•      Annual vignette: €106.80

•      1-day vignette: available as a digital product only (check current price at shop.asfinag.at).

•      Available durations: 1 day, 10 days, 2 months, or 1 year.

The 18-Day Rule

When purchased online by private consumers, the 2-month and annual digital vignettes become valid no earlier than the 18th day after purchase. This results from the 14-day consumer withdrawal right under EU consumer protection law, plus an additional 3-day allowance for cancellation by post. The 1-day and 10-day digital vignettes can be made immediately valid when purchased online. For immediate validity of an annual or 2-month vignette before travel, purchase it in person at an authorised sales point (e.g. toll station, ADAC/ÖAMTC/ARBÖ offices, petrol stations).

See ASFINAG’s vignette information and the ASFINAG Toll Shop

 

Replacement Tolls, Fines and Enforcement (Austria)

If no valid vignette is detected during a control, Austria applies a replacement toll and may impose administrative fines of up to €3,000. Unpaid fines can lead to higher penalties and cross-border enforcement. Check ASFINAG and official Austrian government guidance for the current replacement-toll and fine amounts before travel; ASFINAG publishes up-to-date tariff and enforcement information on its site.

 

Practical Advice for Travellers

 

Italy

•      Keep toll receipts and photograph queues or worksites.

•      Note the times and the length of the affected section in kilometres.

•      Submit claims to the concessionaire if delays meet the thresholds.

•      From 1 December 2026, refunds also apply to routes crossing multiple concessionaires.

Austria

•      Buy digital annual or 2-month vignettes at least 18 days before travel, or purchase a 1-day or 10-day vignette for immediate online validity.

•      For immediate validity of longer vignettes, buy in person at an authorised sales point.

•      If fined, pay replacement tolls promptly and follow ASFINAG guidance to avoid escalation.

•      Always verify the digital vignette is correctly registered to your licence plate via the ASFINAG validity query after purchase.

 

Document prepared: May 2026. Prices and regulations are subject to change — always verify current details at official sources before travel.