Stability in National Tolls vs. Changes in Europe (2025-2026)

For Spanish carriers, the toll landscape for the remainder of 2025 and 2026 is characterized by remarkable stability within national borders, which contrasts with significant changes on other European routes they frequent. This divergence requires adaptive management to maintain competitiveness.

In Spain, the situation is one of clear stability. Rates underwent moderate adjustments as of January 1, 2025, with increases generally between 3.84% and 5.45%, updates considered conventional. This predictable framework is reinforced by specific benefits for heavy transport, such as the 50% discount on the AP-9 (Atlantic Highway) and reductions on the AP-66, government measures aimed at preventing diversions to secondary roads and alleviating the operational burden.

In stark contrast, Central Europe is undergoing a transformation. Austria is the most prominent example, with a total toll increase of approximately 12.4% in January 2025. Most impactful is the drastic 66.9% increase in the specific CO₂ emissions component for a 4-axle Euro 6 truck, a measure that reflects a clear policy of penalizing emissions, aligned with EU green objectives.

This trend is not isolated. Beyond Austria, other countries are also introducing substantial changes, such as the 3.3% adjustment in Poland or the 2.86% inflation-based increase in Belgium’s Wallonia Region. A key development is the expansion of the European Electronic Toll Service (EETS), which in 2025 extends its coverage to countries like Bulgaria and Switzerland. This simplifies management by allowing payment in multiple nations with a single unit but requires adaptation by companies.

For Spanish companies, this disparity means that the logistical costs of their international operations no longer depend solely on national stability. Increases on essential corridors, such as those traversing Austria, will directly impact profitability. This fragmented reality makes route planning and, above all, the environmental efficiency of the fleet more critical factors than ever.

In short, carriers face a dual scenario: a stable domestic market versus a transforming European environment, where the Eurovignette Directive drives the internalization of emission costs. The key to international competitiveness lies in active management of road costs, leveraging tools like interoperable electronic tolling and accelerating the transition towards less polluting fleets. Staying informed about these regulatory variations is not an option, but a necessity for the profitability of cross-border operations.