Fee shock: Passport & driver's license more expensive from July 2025!

Fee shock: Passport & driver's license more expensive from July 2025!

From July 1, 2025, citizens in Austria must expect significant price increases in various federal documents. The costs for passports, ID cards and driving licenses increase by almost 50 percent. This measure was announced as part of the government's comprehensive austerity course, since the fees have not been adjusted since 2011. The Austrian automotive, motorcycle and touring club (ÖAMTC) recommends submitting applications for these documents in June 2025 to save considerable costs.

The new fees are composed as follows:

reasons for the increase

The drastic increase in fees of 48.2 percent aims to cover the ongoing administrative costs. This step is not to be seen in isolation, but part of a broader discussion about the need for fees in the public sector. Administrative costs include fees and expenses that are charged for specific public administration activities. Without these fees, the general tax burden for the citizens would have to increase what is an essential goal of the fee regulation in order to sensitize the public for the costs of state services, reports mf.niedersachsen.de.

While the new fees appear high at first glance, there are also voices that demand the abolition of certain fees. The ÖAMTC emphasizes that the vehicle registration fee is superfluous, since there is no adequate consideration and the processes could be increasingly automated.

practical information on the application

citizens should not only be limited to the authorities responsible to their community. Applications for passports and driving licenses can be submitted nationwide, which is particularly advantageous in urban areas with long waiting times. According to the ÖAMTC, savings of up to 36 euros per document can be achieved if the applications are submitted by the end of June 2025.

The upcoming changes illustrate the need to check your own documents in good time and, if necessary, submit applications to prevent the increasing fees. Details on the exact regulations and procedures can be found on the official websites of the responsible authorities and organizations, including the information of 5min and and [ots.at] (https://www.ots.at/presseaus-sung/ots_20250610_ots0014/oEAMTC-Behren-fuer- Reisepaesse- Fuehrersche-co-stiegen-ab-juli-interpretable).