Child seats in Austria: which one your child needs
Austria's rule for carrying children is simple: every child under 135 cm and under 14 years must travel in a child seat or booster suited to their age, height and weight. A seat is no longer required as soon as one of the conditions is met — the child is taller than 135 cm or has turned 14.
Below is how to choose the right seat group. When booking, just tell us your child's age, height and weight — we'll reserve and fit the right seat in advance.
Who needs a seat, and until when?
A seat is required as long as the child is both under 14 years and under 135 cm. Once their height passes 135 cm, they may use a normal seat belt — even before turning 14. Age and height work together, so go by your child's real height and weight, not just their age.
Which seat to choose?
There are four main groups. The age ranges overlap, so it's best to go by height and weight.
1. Infant carrier (rear-facing)
- Age: up to about 1 year
- Weight: up to 13 kg
- Type: ISOFIX, installed rear-facing
2. Toddler seat (forward-facing)
- Age: about 1–4 years
- Weight: up to 18 kg
- Type: ISOFIX, built-in 5-point harness
3. High-back seat (junior)
- Age: about 3–7 years
- Weight: about 15–25 kg
- Type: high back, child is secured with the car's own seat belt
4. Booster (high-back booster seat)
- Age: from about 6 years up to 135 cm
- Type: high back, child is secured with the car's own seat belt
Which stage is your child at?
A seat is required until the child reaches 135 cm or 14 years:
| Stage | Age | Height guide |
|---|---|---|
| Infant carrier | 0–1 year | ~40 cm |
| Toddler | 1–4 years | ~75 cm |
| Junior | 3–7 years | ~100 cm |
| Booster | from 6 years | ~118 cm → 135 cm · 14 yrs |
One important point: at around 110–118 cm a child still needs a booster with a backrest, not just a cushion — so the belt sits correctly across the shoulder rather than the neck.
Good to know
- ISOFIX in every car. All our cars are ISOFIX-compatible. Travelling with several children? Tell us in advance and we'll match a car with enough anchor points.
- Trusted brands. Seats are from reliable manufacturers, clean and ready to go. Fitting into the belt or ISOFIX is done by the driver, as with all rental companies.
- Share the details. Give your child's age, height and weight when booking, and we'll reserve exactly the right seat — no guesswork at pickup. We speak Russian and English — happy to help you choose.
The fine
Carrying a child without a suitable seat carries a fine in Austria: usually on the spot (Organmandat) — around €35 — and in serious cases a court can set a much higher amount (up to several thousand euros). But what really matters here isn't the money — it's your child's safety.