Vienna raises towing fee to 355 euros from November

Vienna will raise its fee for towing cars and motorcycles to 355 euros from 1 November, an 18 percent increase, ORF reported. The city is also increasing daily storage charges at its towing yard in Simmering from 11 to 13 euros.

<pThe city’s Municipal Department 48 said rising transport, staffing and operating costs prompted the increases. The new rates are intended to cover costs fully, but not generate a profit.

The department works with four private transport companies, which operate 15 tow trucks. Costs for those contractors have risen significantly since the last fee increase, in December 2023, when the towing charge went from 264 to 301 euros. The Austrian Economic Chamber says transport costs nationwide have risen by about 23 percent since early 2023.

Among Austria’s provincial capitals, Vienna will have the highest towing charge. The fee is 318 euros in Salzburg and about 249 euros in Graz. Vienna’s daily storage charge of 13 euros is lower than Salzburg’s 15 euros.

Private towing companies removing vehicles from private property charge between 395 and 432 euros, according to the Austrian motoring association ÖAMTC. Vienna tows an average of about 25,000 vehicles a year, often for blocking driveways, loading zones or disabled parking spaces.