Italy launches toll refund for construction site traffic jams – consumer advocates skeptical

How the refund works

The amount of the refund depends on the duration of the delay and the length of the distance traveled. For journeys up to 30 kilometers, the entitlement exists regardless of the delay duration. For distances between 30 and 50 kilometers, the delay must be at least 10 minutes; for distances over 50 kilometers, it is at least 15 minutes.

The motorway company Autostrade per l'Italia provided a calculation example: for a route of approximately 90 kilometers and a delay of about 40 minutes, around 75 percent of the toll will be refunded. For a one-hour delay on the same route, a full refund will be issued.

In case of complete road closures, the regulation provides for staggered refunds: for an interruption of 60 to 119 minutes, 50 percent of the toll is refunded; for 120 to 179 minutes, it is 75 percent, and from 180 minutes onwards, 100 percent.

There is no entitlement to a refund for emergency construction sites set up due to accidents, exceptional weather events, or rescue operations. Mobile construction sites such as mowing, cleaning, or signage work are also excluded from the regulation in the first phase.

Application via app or email

The refund can be requested via the "Muovy Cashback" app, which brings together all 24 private Italian motorway operators. Alternatively, an application can be made via email or through the website of Autostrade per l'Italia, where no registration is required.

Users registered with an electronic toll device or an Italian license plate will receive the refund automatically. For all others, there is the option to upload the receipt manually. Automatic license plate recognition is reserved for vehicles with Italian license plates.

Refund amounts under 10 cents will not be paid out. Amounts of 10 cents or more will be collected and paid out once a sum of one euro is reached. The regulation initially applies only to routes managed entirely by a single operator.

From December 1, 2026, the system is to be extended to journeys that span multiple operators. Full implementation of the regulation is expected by the end of 2026.

Italy in European Toll Comparison

Italy has around 7,000 kilometers of motorways, most of which are subject to tolls. In a European comparison, Italy, along with France, is among the countries with the highest toll costs – on average between seven and nine cents per kilometer driven.

Unlike in Germany, where motorway use is free, or in Austria and Switzerland, which rely on vignette systems, tolls must be paid for the vast majority of motorway sections in Italy.

The Italian consumer protection association Codacons doubts that the system will function reliably. "It is obvious that for years there will be no real penalties for those who provide a poor service to users," it said in a statement. Furthermore, the association warns that operators could compensate for the costs of refunds through higher toll fees.

Criticism from Consumer Advocates and Automobile Clubs

The ADAC also criticized the complexity of the system. "Italy is among the countries with the highest motorway tolls in Europe. And the system is also complicated," said the automobile club. The Austrian automobile club ÖAMTC described the application process as "partly very cumbersome."

The refund regulation is the first implemented component of a more comprehensive toll reform. The Italian transport regulatory authority ART is working on a uniform calculation model that is intended to link toll fees more closely to the actual investments of the operators. However, noticeable relief for drivers is not expected until 2027 or 2028.

Outlook on Toll Reform

In the future, toll increases will only be permitted if the service for users demonstrably improves. In addition, variable pricing models are being discussed, where the toll could vary depending on the time of day, traffic volume, or the vehicle's environmental class.

The regulation was introduced shortly before the start of the main summer travel season. During the holiday months, traffic jams and construction sites regularly occur on routes towards Lake Garda, Tuscany, the Adriatic coast, or southern Italy.

Applying for an Italian tax number is possible for foreign drivers through the responsible Italian diplomatic mission abroad. Travelers from Germany can contact the Italian Embassy in Berlin or the Italian Consulate.