Spaniards have long resented toll roads, hoping to see fewer of them in the future. But Brussels has other ideas, regardless of Spain’s government’s reassurances.
Back in the ‘80s and ‘90s, Spain introduced a system where private companies built highways, charging tolls for a set period to recoup their investments. Once the contract ended, the roads would revert to public management. While many toll roads remain in excellent shape, Spaniards often avoid them due to high fees, favoring smaller, older roads that suffer from underfunding and lack proper maintenance. This has left Spain grappling with a road maintenance deficit of around €10 million.
The debate over tolls took center stage during Spain’s 2023 general elections. Media reports revealed the country had pledged to implement a “pay-for-use” highway system to secure its share of the EU’s NextGeneration recovery funds. Instead of tolls decreasing, Spaniards now face the prospect of more. The EU’s plan aims to standardize the system across member states, using a “viñete” model. This would charge motorists based on factors like vehicle type, weight, time spent on the road, and passenger count.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, keen to avoid backlash, denied any immediate plans to introduce such a system, even though Spain’s transport ministry had reportedly committed to it. Just before the elections, Sánchez secured a temporary delay from Brussels, assuring voters they wouldn’t have to pay for highways soon. Yet, the EU’s stance remains unchanged.
Now, Brussels has reminded Spain of its overdue obligation to launch the pay-per-use system, which should have been operational by March. The EU has also blocked Spain from using its funds for road maintenance until the system is in place. In response, the government has offered evasive solutions, such as applying fees to large trucks, but the underlying issue remains unresolved.
The pay-per-use proposal is deeply unpopular in Spain, and Sánchez faces significant political risk if he enforces it. Still, Spain isn’t alone in feeling the heat—seven other EU countries, including Portugal, Italy, and Poland, have also failed to implement the system, leaving them under pressure from Brussels.
For Spaniards, the road ahead seems uncertain, with tolls and bureaucracy threatening to pave the way to further frustration.
