Austrians voted on Sunday in a general election that could see the far right narrowly beat the conservatives for a historic win in the Alpine EU nation.

The Freedom Party (FPOe), which has topped opinion polls at 27 percent, has been in government several times, but it has never won a national vote. Even if it wins, however, it is uncertain whether it would be able to form a government.

Since Herbert Kickl took over the graft-tainted party in 2021, it has seen its popularity rebound on voter anger over migration, inflation and Covid restrictions, in line with far-right parties elsewhere in Europe.

"I have a good feeling about today. I believe the vibe is right and the vibe will turn into votes," Kickl told reporters after voting in Purkersdorf just outside Vienna, pledging "five good years" for Austria.

The ruling conservative People's Party (OeVP) has been polling at 25 percent, but its leader Chancellor Karl Nehammer has managed to narrow the gap in recent weeks on a promise to bring "stability instead of chaos."

"Problems can be solved much better with confidence than with fear," Nehammer said after casting his vote in Vienna.

Polling booths opened at 7:00 am (0500 GMT) and the last ones are due to close at 5:00 pm. Projections based on postal voting and vote counts from stations that close earlier should be announced shortly after that. (AFP)