Cars and disability in Austria in 2026: parking, NoVA, tax exemptions and motorway charges

If you live with a disability and use a car in Austria, several benefits may be available for you and your vehicle. Most are based on the parking permit (Ausweis nach § 29b StVO) or official confirmation that using public transport is unreasonable. The following overview explains who may qualify, what the benefits cover and where to apply in 2026.

Who can qualify for the benefits?

Most benefits require one of the following forms of proof:

• A parking permit under § 29b StVO (Ausweis gemäß § 29b StVO).
• A note in the disability pass (Behindertenpass) confirming that using public transport is unreasonable (Unzumutbarkeit der Benützung öffentlicher Verkehrsmittel).
• Exemption from motor-related insurance tax.

In most cases, the vehicle must be registered in the name of the person with the disability.

Parking rights with a § 29b StVO permit

If you are driving yourself, a § 29b StVO permit allows you to park without a time limit in short-term parking zones (Kurzparkzone). If you are travelling as a passenger, the vehicle may remain parked only for as long as you are being transported—for example, while you are attending a medical appointment. The permit must always be displayed clearly behind the windscreen.

Parking charges are generally exempted, but this does not automatically apply throughout Austria. Parking charges are governed by provincial legislation, so the exact rules differ from one province to another.

Reserved disabled parking spaces

Disabled parking spaces (Behindertenparkplatz) may be available near your home or workplace and at buildings you visit frequently, such as hospitals and Sozialministeriumservice offices. On request, a space may also be designated for a specific registration number near your home or workplace. However, there is no automatic legal entitlement to such a space.

The responsible authority depends on the location:

• In the provinces: the district authority (Bezirkshauptmannschaft) or magistrate.
• On a municipal road: the municipality (Gemeinde).
• In Vienna: MA 46.

The application can be made informally and must include the parking permit. Before a decision is made, an on-site inspection takes place in the applicant’s presence. Fees may differ between provinces.

NoVA and motor-related insurance tax exemptions

A vehicle may be exempt from NoVA (Normverbrauchsabgabe) if it is used by a person with a disability for their own transport because public transport is unreasonable or because of blindness. You need confirmation that the vehicle is also receiving an exemption from motor-related insurance tax. The vehicle identification number (FIN) must be reported to the tax office, and the vehicle must be locked in the approval database.

For vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes, the motor-related insurance tax is collected together with compulsory third-party liability insurance. For vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, motor vehicle tax (Kraftfahrzeugsteuer) applies. Both taxes may be exempted for a vehicle registered in your name. The responsible authority is Finanzamt Österreich.

Free vignette and section tolls

If you are exempt from motor-related insurance tax, you automatically receive a free digital annual vignette (digitale Jahresvignette) for a multi-track vehicle registered in your name. Since 1 December 2019, for newly registered vehicles the insurer informs ASFINAG.

A free digital multi-trip card (Mehrfahrtenkarte) for all section-toll roads is also provided automatically, except for the A 11 Karawanken motorway. Section tolls apply on the A 13 and on certain sections of the A 9, A 10, A 11 and S 16.

You may also request the card without a vignette if you have a § 29b permit and the vehicle is adapted for disabled use, or if your driving licence contains a restriction requiring an automatic transmission. In this case, the card may be used only when the person with the disability is driving. A separate card is also available for the A 13 Brenner motorway, for example in cases involving at least 50 percent disability.

Tax relief: 190 euros per month

• Private use of your own car: a flat rate of 190 euros per month.
• No own car and use of taxis: actual costs up to a maximum of 153 euros per month.

The actual cost of vehicle adaptations cannot be claimed in addition to the flat rate. § 29b permits issued before 1 January 2001 are no longer valid. The tax benefit must be claimed through Finanzamt Österreich.

Support for buying, adapting or driving a car

People who work may apply for support towards buying a new car or adapting a vehicle (Kfz-Zuschuss/Adaptierung) at most once every five years. The vehicle must be registered in your name, belong to you and be used for travelling to work.

The application can be submitted to the regional office of Sozialministeriumservice (SMS) or to the social insurance institution. This route is also used to forward the application to the other funding bodies.

People who do not work, including pensioners and children, may apply for support for barrier-free adaptations from the disability support fund (Unterstützungsfonds).

Up to 50 percent of the cost of obtaining a driving licence may be covered if a car is needed for work and using public transport is unreasonable. Applications are handled by Sozialministeriumservice (SMS).

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to apply separately for the free vignette?

No. It is provided automatically when you receive an exemption from motor-related insurance tax.

Can I park free of charge everywhere with a § 29b permit?

No. Parking charges are decided under provincial rules, so an exemption does not automatically apply everywhere in Austria.

Can I use the permit when travelling as a passenger?

Yes, but the vehicle may remain parked only while you are being transported.

Can I deduct the cost of adapting my car?

No. Only the monthly flat rate of 190 euros can be claimed.

Practical steps

1. Check whether you have a valid Ausweis gemäß § 29b StVO or a Behindertenpass entry confirming Unzumutbarkeit der Benützung öffentlicher Verkehrsmittel.
2. Register the vehicle in the name of the person with the disability where this is required.
3. Ask your insurer and Finanzamt Österreich about the motor-related insurance tax exemption and report the FIN as required.
4. Confirm the local parking-charge rules with the relevant province, Gemeinde, Bezirkshauptmannschaft, magistrate or MA 46.
5. Ask Sozialministeriumservice (SMS) or your social insurance institution about support for purchasing, adapting or using a vehicle.
6. Claim the 190-euro monthly flat rate, or eligible taxi costs up to 153 euros per month, through Finanzamt Österreich.

This article is based on information available online and does not constitute legal, tax, medical or other professional advice. For an individual assessment, contact the relevant authority or a qualified professional.

Source: oesterreich.gv.at