The measure

Motorways, toll reimbursement for traffic blocks and roadworks starts today: here's how it works

For the time being, the measure only affects construction sites on routes operated by a single concessionaire. For traffic blocks, 100 per cent of the toll will be reimbursed for interruptions longer than three hours

by Pietro Menzani

1 June 2026

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

As of 1 June, motorists will be able to ask for reimbursement of the toll for inconveniences suffered during motorway journeys. The measure that obliges operators to grant compensation for traffic jams or delays due to the presence of construction sites is officially in force.

For the time being, the measure only affects disruptions caused by construction sites on routes operated entirely by a single concessionaire. It will be necessary to wait until 1 December 2026 for sections operated by several concessionaires to be affected as well. The main motorway companies have already published on their websites the forms to be filled out in order to request access to the reliefs.

The provision - contained in a resolution published by the Transport Regulatory Authority (Art) in December 2025 - stipulates that refunds in excess of 10 cents will only be effectively credited to users when the minimum threshold of one euro is reached.

The extent of reimbursements

The measure, however, does not provide for an automatic toll reimbursement. The refund, as Codacons explains, depends on the length of the route and the extent of the delay that the presence of the construction site caused. The right to get back the amount paid for motorway travel is independent of the minutes lost due to the works only for routes shorter than 30 kilometres.

For routes between 30 and 50 kilometres, on the other hand, it is possible to request reimbursement for delays of no less than 10 minutes. Beyond the 50-kilometre threshold, finally, requests for reimbursement will only be considered acceptable if the recorded delay exceeds 15 minutes.

With regard to the traffic blockade, on the other hand, a full refund of the toll is only foreseen for interruptions longer than three hours. You can get 75 per cent of the sum back for blockages lasting between 120 and 179 minutes and only half of what you paid for interruptions longer than 60 minutes but less than two hours.

Autostrade: dal primo gennaio rincari dell'1,5%

Exceptions

However, reimbursement - even in the presence of the listed conditions - is not always provided for. As Codacons points out, in fact, there are exceptions. First of all, you will not be entitled to a refund if there is already a general toll reduction on the route travelled.

In addition, if the delay is caused by emergency worksites - and thus necessitated by accidents, extraordinary and unforeseeable weather or hydrogeological events, or rescue activities - motorists will not be able to claim compensation. Finally, mobile construction sites intended for ordinary maintenance, e.g. due to grass mowing, cleaning or signposting, will also be excluded in an initial period.

The satisfaction of Assoutenti

Gabriele Melluso, president of Assoutenti, the association that promotes and protects the fundamental rights of consumers, welcomed the entry into force of a measure 'long called for that finally corrects an unfair discrimination between users'.

According to Melluso, in fact, 'until now, motorway users were unfairly penalised compared to train and plane passengers, consumers for whom compensation and refunds in the event of inefficiency have been provided for years. The changes in tolls introduced by Art rectify an unjust discrimination between citizens and bring fairness back into the transport sector'.

The president of Assoutenti went on to conclude that "it will now be important, especially in this first phase, to supervise the correct application of the new measures by motorway companies, but above all to carry out a blanket information campaign to make motorists aware of their rights and the possibility of obtaining a refund depending on the type of inefficiency suffered. Particular attention must also be paid to the use of motorists' personal data collected by motorway companies through the new procedure'.