New toll regulation: Italy - when and how you can now get your money back in the event of a traffic jam

The Italian Ministry of Transport announced the change at the end of last year. At that time, however, it was still uncertain whether and how foreign drivers would be able to claim a refund of the toll. It is now clear: according to EU law, this rule must of course also apply to foreigners. But it is not made easy for holidaymakers - that much is certain:

In principle, the following applies on Italian motorways from 1 June: Due to roadworks and traffic jams, you will be able to claim a partial refund of your toll in future and even a full refund after three hours. This sounds fair at first, but consumer advocates already fear that these refunds will ultimately be added back onto the toll charges...

How many minutes of tailback can I apply for a refund?

You always get money back on short journeys with roadworks, regardless of whether there is a traffic jam or not.

• Journeys of up to 30 km: complete refund of the toll.
• Journeys between 30 and 50 km: Refund from a delay of 10 minutes.
• Drive over 50 km: from a delay of 15 minutes

If there is a long traffic jam due to roadworks, these rules apply:

• 60 to 119 minutes: 50 per cent refund
• 120 to 179 minutes: 75 per cent refund
• From 180 minutes: 100 per cent

However, this only applies if the traffic jam is caused by a roadworks. Not for emergency construction sites, serious accidents or exceptional weather events

Does the toll system also apply to the Brenner motorway?

Whether there is a refund depends on the respective motorway operator. And now the bad news for all Lake Garda holidaymakers: unfortunately, the Brenner motorway, which is operated regionally, does not participate in the cash-back scheme. So far, refunds are only available from these operators:

• Autostrade per l'Italia (state-owned, 3000 kilometres)
• Raccordo Autostradale Valle d'Aosta
• Società Autostrada Tirrenica
• Tangenziale di Napoli

How to apply for a refund

The easiest way would be to download the "Muovy cashback app" on your mobile phone and register yourself and your car once. Problem: To register in the app, you need to have a Italian tax number or Sales tax identification number required. And this can be applied for at the German Embassy in Rome, for example: Codice Fiscale (Italian tax code) - Federal Foreign Office

That is why improvements have now been made: from now on, refunds are also possible without registration. To do this, you have to scan or photograph the toll station receipt (from 4 hours after receipt) and email it to the relevant motorway operator. You will then receive a code by e-mail which you can use to check the status of the refund. Info: autostrade.it

Planned changes for 2027 and 2028

The Italian toll system is to be completely reorganised. In future, the costs for motorway users are to be standardised and made more transparent despite different operators. A dynamic system is planned: from 2027, the toll charges will depend on the Time of daythe Traffic volume and the Environmental class of the vehicle depend on it. Those who are not travelling at peak times will then be rewarded with cheaper tolls and congestion could thus be reduced.

Incidentally, Brennerautobahn AG published its balance sheets for the year 2025 in May:

• Revenue last year totalled 428 million euros.
• The accident rate has fallen by 25.4 per cent in the last 10 years
• Costs for repair work: 145.6 million