- Camera checks possible in around 25 cities from May 2026
- Fines: €726 (approx. $790) for the first offense, up to €2,180 (approx. $2,370) for repeat offenses
- License plate recognition with comparison against local authorization lists
Austria is responding to growing through traffic and high pollution levels in city centers. From May 2026, many municipalities are set to introduce new traffic-calmed zones that will only be accessible to a clearly defined group of authorized vehicles. The new rules also apply to travelers who are unfamiliar with the affected areas and therefore need to be particularly vigilant.
New traffic regulations from 2026: Who will still be allowed to pass
The planned zones will mainly be created in historic centers and other sensitive areas. In future, only vehicles belonging to residents, emergency services, delivery services, taxis, motorcycles, and mopeds will be permitted. All other vehicles will be considered unauthorized. Around 25 cities have signed up to the concept, including Vienna, Salzburg, Linz, Graz, St. Pölten, and Leoben. Each of these cities will be able to define its own areas where the restrictions apply.
Clearly marked signs with a camera symbol and new road markings will indicate the boundaries of the zones. Despite clear signage, there is concern that visitors may overlook the regulations, as there are currently no uniform guidelines on how large or how numerous the zones may be.
How the camera system works
The new system is based on automatic license plate recognition. Every vehicle entering the zone is recorded by a camera and checked against a local authorization list. The Ministry of Mobility explains that only the license plate itself is stored. Personal data is not collected.
An important point in the planning: License plate recognition only takes effect after 30 minutes. Anyone who accidentally enters a zone and leaves it immediately should not fear any penalties. Only those who stay longer or deliberately enter the area will face a fine.
Fines: Tourists in particular must expect high penalties
Since foreign license plates can also be recorded, the new regulation is expressly aimed at vacationers. The first offense will result in a fine of €726 (approx. $790), with repeated or particularly serious offenses incurring fines of up to €2,180 (approx. $2,370).
The local authorities hope that this will significantly reduce traffic congestion. A feasibility study estimates that there will be up to 30 percent fewer vehicles entering Vienna’s first district. In addition, around 25 percent of parking spaces could be more readily available again.
Criticism from the public and automobile clubs
Despite the expected relief, the measures are controversial. According to an online survey, 57 percent of respondents reject the camera-monitored access regulation. The ÖAMTC also warns of possible undesirable developments.
ÖAMTC representative Bernhard Wiesinger explains: “The amendment to the Road Traffic Regulations allows municipalities to use camera surveillance for almost all driving bans and other traffic restrictions. If this law comes into force, we can expect a proliferation of additional and larger driving ban zones throughout Austria. After all, it’s also about revenue for the municipalities.”
The organization fears that a lack of standards could lead to a patchwork of local regulations, making it even more difficult to keep track of them all.
Based on Italian models
Austria is adopting key elements from Italy’s traffic concepts. Many Italian cities have had restricted traffic areas monitored by cameras for years. A system compares the recorded license plates with a database. Unknown vehicles are usually subject to a fine of €100 (approx. $109).
There, too, hotels can apply for exemptions for their guests. Similar solutions could also be possible in Austria in the future, but have not yet been implemented as binding regulations.
Outlook: Implementation in some cities in 2028 at the earliest
Although the regulation is officially supposed to take effect in May 2026, some cities, such as Vienna, expect individual systems to be launched later. The reason for this is that extensive EU tenders for technology and software take time. The new traffic management system will therefore be introduced gradually.
The coming years will show whether the expected relief will actually materialize or whether the feared confusion in traffic law will prevail.
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