Romania shifts to distance-based heavy vehicle road taxing, aligning with EU neighbors but facing criticism for low proposed rates.
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Romania is transitioning to a distance-based road freight taxation system starting in summer 2026, aligning with neighboring European countries, moving away from current time-limited toll schemes. While these new tariffs are set to be among the lowest compared to direct neighbors, independent experts criticize this as under-taxation of heavy traffic that damages infrastructure. Currently, Romanian tolls for commercial vehicles range from about €7.50 per day up to €380 annually for smaller trucks, and significantly higher for larger articulated lorries (TIRs). In 2024, Romania collected approximately €157 million from freight transport tolls out of a total of €300 million in road fees. The proposed TollRo system will tax vehicles based on distance traveled, the type of infrastructure used (motorways vs. national roads), and the vehicle’s pollution class (Euro 6, Euro 5, etc.). New tariffs show that a small freight vehicle with Euro 6 emissions would pay €0.17 per kilometer on motorways and €0.08 on national roads. When converted to Euros per 1000 km, a small truck pays €33.40 for the motorway, while a 12+ ton TIR pays €94.40. This is significantly lower than in countries like Hungary (€570) or Austria (€485), though comparable to Poland (€90). Estimates suggest the new system could generate between double the current revenue (around €300 million) up to nearly one billion euros, depending on economic factors and infrastructure development. However, critics argue that the proposed rates are too low compared to neighbors like Bulgaria or Czechia, who collect substantially more from heavy goods vehicles. Trucking associations, conversely, fear the new taxes will lead to increased costs for transporters and demand a threefold reduction in current tax levels.
