Overview
- Austria’s Constitutional Court struck down exemptions that had protected leased and co‑owned vehicles from permanent forfeiture, with the change taking effect in autumn 2027.
- Authorities apply confiscation only after extreme speeding, such as more than 80 km/h over the limit in towns or 90 km/h on open roads.
- Police can hold a vehicle for 14 days while they assess forfeiture, and the Interior Ministry reports 438 provisional seizures through the end of 2025.
- Only a small share of held cars have been auctioned so far, yielding about €45,000 in revenue last year.
- Infrastructure Minister Peter Hanke welcomed the decision as a stronger deterrent, while leasing firms warn of new costs for owners and are reviewing insurance and contract terms.