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Austria’s drivers will face significantly higher traffic fines from 1 January 2027, as the government rolls out a nationwide overhaul of penalties for speeding, parking violations and other road offences. The Ministry of Transport has published the full catalogue of new fines, marking one of the most substantial adjustments in years.
Uniform Penalties Across All Federal States
A key change is the nationwide standardisation of “Anonymverfügungen” — the anonymous fines issued for minor traffic offences. Until now, penalties varied depending on the federal state.
Mobility Minister Peter Hanke (SPÖ) told Heute:
“From now on, it makes no difference whether you’re speeding in Vienna or Vorarlberg. The same offence will result in the same fine.”
This harmonisation aims to simplify enforcement and eliminate regional discrepancies.
Speeding Fines Rise Sharply
Drivers exceeding speed limits will face substantially higher penalties:
- More than 30 km/h over the limit: minimum fine increases from €150 to €200
- More than 50 km/h over the limit outside towns: new range €400 to €6,000
- More than 40 km/h over the limit in towns: same increased range applies
Special rules apply in Begegnungszonen (shared spaces):
- Up to 10 km/h over the limit: €40
- Up to 20 km/h over the limit: €70
Parking & Everyday Violations Also More Expensive
Most other traffic fines will rise by around 50%. Examples include:
- Parking in a no‑stop or no‑parking zone: €60
- Forgetting a parking disc in a short‑term zone: €60
- Entering an intersection on yellow: €70
- Driving 61 km/h in a 50 zone: €80
- Not coming to a full stop at a stop sign: €80
The ministry argues that higher fines will strengthen road safety — and reduce violations.
Budget Effects: Up to €80 Million Expected
The government also expects a financial impact. Minister Hanke estimates that the new fines could bring up to €80 million into the state budget. Still, he emphasises that safety, not revenue, is the primary goal:
“Ideally, higher fines will lead to fewer offences.”
Mixed Reactions from ÖAMTC
The motorists’ association ÖAMTC welcomes the uniform fines as “long overdue”. Chief legal expert Martin Hoffer calls the harmonisation “sensible”, but criticises the scale of the increases:
The rise is “clearly above the inflation rate”. Using fines to meet budget targets is “neither realistic nor fair.”
What Drivers Should Expect in 2027
Austria’s new traffic fine catalogue means:
- Higher costs for almost all violations
- Uniform penalties nationwide
- Stricter consequences for speeding
- More enforcement clarity for police and drivers
The full list of fines applies from 1 January 2027.
- source: heute.at/picture: pixabay.com
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