From 1 June 2026, Italian motorists will be able to obtain a refund for any inconveniences suffered during the journey, and will be able to request it directly from motorway concessionaires. The measure, awaited for years, will become operational thanks to resolution no. 211/2025 of the Transport Regulation Authority (ART).
How construction site reimbursements work
For journeys of less than 30 kilometres, the right to reimbursement is triggered regardless of the accumulated delay, for journeys between 30 and 50 kilometres, a delay of at least 10 minutes is required, while beyond 50 kilometres, the threshold rises to 15 minutes. The amount is not the same for everyone and will be calculated according to the coefficients established by the Authority, which will take into account the impact of construction sites on the route and the actual time difference.
In this first phase, reimbursements for construction sites will only concern routes entirely managed by the same concessionaire, given that requests on routes with multiple concessionaires will come into force from 1 December 2026.
How reimbursements for traffic stops work
The reimbursement is equal to 50% of the toll for blocks between 60 and 119 minutes, destined to rise to 75% for those between 120 and 179 minutes and reach 100% for blocks longer than 180 minutes.
Who can apply and how
Dealers will have to make at least one dedicated section available on their websites, as well as telephone numbers or physical assistance points. Within 20 days of the application they must communicate acceptance with the amount recognized or justify the rejection. Refunds are credited only if they exceed 10 cents and are paid once the minimum threshold of 1 euro is reached. Season ticket holders have the right to withdraw from the contract if the works significantly reduce the usability of the usual route, obtaining a refund of the unused portion.
When the refund is not due
The right lapses if a toll reduction has already been applied on the route, if the works result from unforeseen emergencies (accidents, extreme weather events, rescue interventions) or, at least in the initial phase, for mobile construction sites.
The cost issue
The mechanism has a fundamental contradiction reported by Codacons. For construction site delays, managers will be able to recover 100% of the expenditure incurred until 2027, 75% in 2028, 50% in 2029 and 25% in 2030. For traffic blockages, recovery is possible if the concessionaire demonstrates force majeure and compliance with information obligations. The result, according to the association, is that motorists themselves will indirectly finance the reimbursements through future tariffs. Added to this is another gap regarding the single national app, provided for by the resolution to allow automatic reimbursement for registered users, which is not yet operational at the moment.
