The Commission approves €402 million in Spanish state aid for road haulage companies

The Commission has approved Spanish state aid worth 402 million euros for road haulage companies affected by rising fuel prices due to the crisis in the Middle East.

The scheme has been approved under the Temporary Framework for Aid in Response to the Crisis in the Middle East (METSAF), which the Commission adopted on 29 April 2026.

The Spanish aid scheme

Spain notified the Commission of an aid scheme worth €402 million to support companies in the road transport sector. The scheme aims to mitigate the impact of rising fuel prices caused by the crisis in the Middle East.

The aid will be granted in the form of direct grants. For beneficiaries eligible for an existing diesel tax refund scheme for professional users, the aid may cover up to 70% of the additional fuel costs resulting from the Middle East crisis incurred between 1 March and 30 June 2026. For beneficiaries who are not eligible for this tax refund scheme, the aid may be capped at 50,000 euros per company or cover up to 70% of the additional fuel costs incurred between 1 March and 31 December 2026.

The Commission has assessed the measure in accordance with EU state aid rules, and in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (‘TFEU’), which allows Member States to support the development of certain economic activities under certain conditions, as well as Sections 1 and 2.2 of the METSAF.

The Commission has found that the Spanish scheme complies with the conditions set out in the METSAF. In particular, the aid will be granted on the basis of a scheme with a clear estimated budget, and will be intended to provide temporary support for the development of undertakings in the road transport sector. The Commission has concluded that the scheme is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to facilitate the development of an economic activity and does not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest.

In view of these reasons, the Commission has approved the Spanish aid scheme in accordance with the relevant EU rules.

Background

On 29 April 2026, the Commission adopted the METSAF to enable Member States to support the EU economy in the context of the crisis in the Middle East. The METSAF is a temporary and targeted framework designed to mitigate the effects of the crisis on some of the most exposed sectors of the economy, namely: agriculture, fisheries, transport and energy-intensive industries. The METSAF will remain in place until 31 December 2026. During its period of application, the Commission will review the content, scope and duration of the framework in the light of developments in the Middle East and the general economic situation.

Whilst the transition to a clean economy remains the long-term solution to protect EU businesses from the effects of global energy disruptions, the METSAF enables Member States to take immediate action to ensure that the growth of the most exposed businesses is not irreparably hampered by the current crisis.

To this end, aid may take various forms for businesses operating in the agriculture, fisheries and transport sectors, such as aid based on actual consumption to cover part of the increases in fuel or fertiliser prices, and a simplified approach for small amounts of aid.

METSAF also provides for a temporary adjustment to the framework governing state aid measures to support the Clean Industry Pact, allowing for higher aid intensities to address spikes in electricity prices.

 

More information: European Commission