Car Tax Changes in Austria: Brace for New Costs

Car Tax Changes in Austria: Brace for New Costs Car tax changes in Austria: get ready for new expenses on fuel and vehicle taxes Topics: Daily Life, Transport.

Drivers, pay attention! In 2025, Austrian road traffic is facing significant changes. Prepare for new taxes and regulations that could heavily impact your budget. The Austrian Automobile Club (ÖAMTC) has already warned: you’ll need to pay close attention to low CO2 emissions and how much fuel your car consumes. This is not only important for the environment but will also help save money.

Starting in January, the CO2 tax rises from €45 to €55 per ton. This will lead to higher fuel prices, which will increase by about three cents. As a result, taxes on gasoline and diesel will amount to approximately 15 and 16.5 cents respectively. Since the introduction of the CO2 tax in October 2022, diesel has been on average 18 months more expensive than gasoline. This all suggests that spending money on environmentally friendly cars is becoming an increasingly sensible choice.

However, there are other changes too. Vehicle taxes for most new cars will rise by nearly €35 per year. And importantly, electric cars remain fully exempt from this tax. This means that if you don’t already own an electric vehicle, now might be the time to consider one. So if you’re in the market for a new car, be sure to check what the taxes will be to avoid unexpected costs.

Now, here’s something not to forget: without the regional climate bonus, the CO2 taxation can be seen as an increase in the mineral oil tax. Given that the climate bonus may be reduced in 2025, this could affect every household. Consumers will need to think carefully about what they want to drive, as the impact of the new rules, particularly on budgets, could bring rather unpleasant surprises. Paying attention to environmental friendliness and tax information is not just a necessity — it’s a must in a rapidly changing market.