Italy to introduce toll refunds for drivers delayed by roadworks from June 2026

Drivers using Italian highways may soon be eligible for partial toll refunds if they experience significant delays due to roadworks. Starting June 1, 2026, a new system introduced by the Italian transport authority ART aims to compensate motorists for time lost in traffic jams caused by planned construction.

The refund policy will initially be implemented on highway sections managed by a single operator. The amount of compensation will depend on the length of the journey and the duration of the delay. For routes up to 50 kilometers, a delay of just ten minutes could qualify for a refund. On longer stretches, the threshold increases to 15 minutes. If a driver is stuck in a traffic jam caused by roadworks for three hours or more, they could potentially receive a full refund of the toll.

However, the new regulation specifies that refunds will not apply to delays caused by accidents, adverse weather conditions, or emergency roadworks. The crucial condition is that the delay must be linked to planned construction activities. To streamline the process, registered users of the autostrada.it platform and its associated applications will have refunds calculated automatically.

For tourists and drivers not registered on the platform, a manual application will be required via a dedicated phone line or email. Therefore, frequent users of Italian highways are advised to register to avoid additional administrative work in case of delays. Italy is also preparing a broader reform of its toll collection system, considering a dynamic model where prices could be influenced by traffic load, time of day, or vehicle emission class, aiming for greater transparency in future toll calculations.