Treasury extends road transport aid in response to the crisis in the Middle East

The Ministry of Finance has published Order HAC/940/2026, of September 8, which extends the effects of the aid for the road land transport sectors contemplated in the Comprehensive Response Plan to the Crisis in the Middle East. The regulation, signed by Minister Arcadi España García, appears in the Official State Gazette number 223, of September 9, 2026, in section III, page 120590, with reference BOE-A-2026-18874.

The conflict in the Middle East, which began on February 28, 2026, has caused significant increases in oil and gas prices, with a direct impact on road transport, as diesel represents an enormously relevant part of the operating costs for freight and passenger transporters. To mitigate this, Royal Decree-Law 7/2026, of March 20, was approved, whose articles 55 and 58 establish aid for eligible expenses incurred between March 1 and June 30, 2026.

State Aid Framework

The full effectiveness of this aid is linked to the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework for the Middle East Crisis (METSAF), adopted through the European Commission Communication C(2026) 2947. The European Commission declared the aid compatible with the internal market in its Decision SA.122730 (2026/N), pursuant to Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

For its management, Order HAC/674/2026, of July 2, was issued, which regulates the procedure by which interested parties prove that they do not fall into the situations that prevent the receipt of aid and that they meet the required conditions.

Extension of the Eligible Period

Royal Decree-Law 18/2026, of June 29, extended the period in which eligible expenses are incurred until September 30, 2026. The maintenance of the aid is regulated in articles 22 and 25 of said regulation, and the European Commission notified its agreement to the extension on July 28, 2026, in Decision SA.124070 (2026/N), without raising objections.

The new order, issued in exercise of the authorization contained in paragraph 7 of articles 22 and 25 of Royal Decree-Law 18/2026, extends the effectiveness of Order HAC/674/2026 to these extensions and to any other extensions that may be authorized. The regulation will take effect on the day following its publication in the Official State Gazette.

Beneficiaries and Scope

The measure affects road freight and passenger transporters who incur eligible expenses within the extended period:

• Initial eligible expenses: from March 1 to June 30, 2026.
• Extension: until September 30, 2026.
• Applicable regime: METSAF and compatibility decisions SA.122730 (2026/N) and SA.124070 (2026/N).

With this extension, the Ministry of Finance guarantees the continuity of support for a strategic sector that is particularly exposed to fuel volatility, ensuring that the aid from the Comprehensive Response Plan to the Crisis in the Middle East remains effective and compatible with the European State aid regime during the extended period.

Source: Official State Gazette, no. 223, September 9, 2026, Sec. III, page 120590 (official reference: BOE-A-2026-18874).