Austria is changing the special rules that have allowed displaced persons from Ukraine to use Ukrainian-registered vehicles in Austria. Vehicle owners should take note of the new deadlines and start preparing for possible Austrian registration in good time.
What is changing?
Until now, persons with a temporary right of residence in Austria under the rules applicable to displaced persons from Ukraine (Vertriebenen-Verordnung) have benefited from special rules allowing them to use Ukrainian-registered vehicles without applying the general Austrian registration requirements.
This special regime is now being phased out.
Under the transitional rules, vehicles brought into Austria by 30 June 2026 must be registered in Austria no later than 30 June 2027.
Vehicle owners whose cars are already in Austria therefore have a transitional period to arrange Austrian registration.
For vehicles brought into Austria on or after 1 July 2026, the system is moving towards the general rules for vehicles with foreign registration. Such vehicles may only be used with foreign licence plates for a limited period before Austrian registration becomes necessary.
What does Austrian vehicle registration involve?
Austrian registration involves more than simply obtaining Austrian licence plates. Vehicle owners must also consider the relevant technical, tax and insurance requirements.
Depending on the individual situation, this may include:
- Austrian vehicle registration and Austrian licence plates;
- Austrian compulsory motor vehicle insurance;
- assessment of possible NoVA (Normverbrauchsabgabe) liability;
- motor-related insurance tax (motorbezogene Versicherungssteuer);
- compliance with Austrian technical requirements;
- preparation of the documentation required for registration.
Particular attention should be paid to NoVA, as the applicable tax treatment and potential amount depend on the specific vehicle and the circumstances under which it was brought into Austria.
What about the Austrian motorway vignette?
Vehicle registration requirements should not be confused with Austrian motorway toll rules.
The general toll exemption for Ukrainian-registered vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes expired on 31 October 2025. The standard Austrian vignette requirements therefore apply when using toll motorways and expressways.
What should vehicle owners do?
If your vehicle was brought into Austria by 30 June 2026, you should keep the transitional deadline in mind and start preparing for Austrian registration in advance.
We recommend not leaving the process until the final weeks of the transitional period. Vehicle documentation, technical requirements, insurance and, in particular, the potential tax consequences should be reviewed beforehand.
Key deadline for vehicles brought into Austria by 30 June 2026: Austrian registration must be completed no later than 30 June 2027.
