The European Commission issued a clarifying note this Thursday to the government about Spain’s recovery and resilience plan. It confirmed that the package Brussels approved includes a commitment to pass a law on sustainable mobility and transport financing, along with a payment mechanism for road use starting in 2024. This comes despite a statement from the Transport Minister just three days earlier, in which Rachel Sanchez reportedly denied the plan’s toll proposal.
The Commission, through its economy spokesperson Veerle Nuyts, indicated at a press briefing that the plan envisions a road user payment system that would commence in 2024, describing it as a “polluter pays” mechanism. This reflection aligns with the broader objective of internalizing the external costs associated with road transport and encouraging efficiency within the sector. The spokesperson emphasized that the timing remains contingent on the fifth payment request from Spain, and that the issue is not a matter for immediate discussion. (Source: European Commission)
Previously, the measure was first announced by the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT). A week later, it drew pushback from Raquel Sánchez, the Minister of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda, who argued that the debate over tolling motorways had been settled and that no toll would be charged. The Commission, however, noted that the measure is embedded in the plan approved by Brussels and the member states, including the tranche related to the fifth disbursement, which totals more than 8,000 million euros. (Source: European Commission)
According to the Commission’s reading, the plan’s text explicitly states the purpose of the toll mechanism as a tool to internalize road transport costs, create incentives for greater efficiency in the sector, and drive reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The approach is designed to align Spain’s transport financing with broader European environmental and fiscal objectives, while providing a framework to manage road infrastructure funding as part of the country’s recovery efforts. (Source: European Commission)
Observers note that the ongoing dialogue highlights the complexity of coordinating national measures with EU-approved recovery plans. While the Commission supports the goal of sustainable mobility and funding for road networks, it also stresses the importance of clear, phased implementation tied to the scheduled fifth payment request. In this context, Spain’s authorities are expected to reconcile domestic political positions with EU commitments, ensuring that any toll framework respects both environmental targets and the fiscal stability of the transport sector. (Source: European Commission)
The plan’s broader ambition includes modernizing transport policy, encouraging modal shifts, and reducing emissions across the road network. As Brussels continues to monitor the execution of the program, Madrid is anticipated to provide concrete legislative steps that reflect both the affordability of tolls for users and the need to fund sustainable mobility projects. The ongoing exchange underscores the EU’s emphasis on transparent governance and the alignment of national reforms with the bloc’s climate and growth goals. (Source: European Commission)