In short: The 13 bani per liter state aid was introduced by Government Decision (HG) 153/2024 to offset the excise duty increase on diesel used as motor fuel, and was granted quarterly to licensed road haulage operators through the Romanian Road Authority (ARR). Applications were filed after the end of each quarter, together with invoices with detailed annexes and sworn statements. Compensation is now granted under a newer scheme, with higher amounts per liter.
Through HG 153/2024, the Romanian Government grants state aid to certain categories of hauliers.
The aid amounts to 13 bani per liter of fuel and is granted quarterly, for fuel consumed from January 24, 2024 to December 31, 2024.
Haulier categories
- Road freight transport on own account or for hire, using single motor vehicles or articulated vehicle combinations with a maximum gross weight of at least 7.5 tons;
- Regular or occasional passenger road transport, excluding public passenger transport, with an M2 or M3 category vehicle.
The competent authority for administering and granting the aid is the ROMANIAN ROAD AUTHORITY (ARR). The money is obtained by filing an application (in the format set out in HG 153/2024) together with a set of supporting documents with ARR, within 30 calendar days of the end of the quarter. Applications are processed within 30 BUSINESS days of the filing date.
NOTE: for the period October 1 – November 15, the application is filed between November 15 and 30!
Eligibility criteria for state aid for hauliers
The Government Decision sets out a fairly long list of eligibility criteria:
- Hold a Community license issued in Romania;
- Not be declared inactive by ANAF;
- Not receive other similar compensation;
- Refuel eligible vehicles at fuel stations authorized under the law;
- Not be in difficulty;
- Not be subject to enforcement proceedings;
Required documents for state aid for hauliers
The grant application must be accompanied by a set of documents:
- Copy of the contracts concluded with the fuel station – if applicable
- Copy of proof of ownership of the electronic dispenser if applicable
- For refueling at a retail fuel station, a summary statement of all refuelings, completed based on the information in the purchase invoices.
- Sworn statement that no other similar aid has been received
- Sworn statement regarding classification as a small or medium-sized enterprise.
- Invoice with annexes. The invoice alone cannot serve as justification for granting the aid. It must be accompanied by annexes listing the fuel station, the refueling date, the registration number of the refueled vehicle, the card number or transmitter/receiver ring number as applicable, the quantity of fuel, and the odometer reading on the vehicle at the time of refueling.
If irregularities are found after the application and annexes have been submitted, the business operator will receive a decision stating the grounds for rejection. Within 10 days of being notified of the decision, the operator may file a corrective application if it has remedied the grounds for rejection (e.g., correcting the amount requested, submitting additional annexes proving the facts, etc.).
NOTE:
The aid granted will be subject to subsequent audits. The Decision requires a mandatory 10-year retention period for all supporting documents related to the aid.
Frequently asked questions about state aid for hauliers
What is the 13 bani per liter state aid for hauliers?
It is a grant introduced by HG 153/2024 to offset the excise duty increase on diesel used as motor fuel. The amount was 13 bani for each liter of fuel consumed by eligible vehicles, and the money was paid quarterly, upon application. The scheme was administered by the Romanian Road Authority (ARR), which received the applications and supporting documents. The amount was later increased, and the scheme was replaced by newer legislation.
Who is eligible for diesel state aid?
Under the scheme introduced by HG 153/2024, eligible beneficiaries were road transport operators licensed in Romania that carried freight on own account or for hire, using motor vehicles or articulated combinations with a maximum authorized weight (MTMA) of at least 7.5 tons, as well as regular or occasional passenger transport with M2 or M3 category vehicles, excluding public passenger transport. A Community license issued in Romania was required. The conditions of the scheme currently in force should be checked separately with ARR.
How much is the diesel compensation for hauliers in 2026?
In 2026, the compensation is no longer 13 bani per liter. The current scheme was introduced by HG 1094/2025 and subsequently amended during 2026. The publicly announced amounts are 40 bani per liter for diesel purchased between October 1 and December 31, 2025, 65 bani per liter for January 1 – March 31, 2026, and 85 bani per liter for April 1 – December 31, 2026.
When is the application filed and how long does processing take?
The application is filed with the Romanian Road Authority (ARR) after the end of the quarter for which aid is requested. Under HG 153/2024, the application had to be filed within 30 calendar days of the end of the quarter, and it was processed within 30 business days of filing. The current scheme has a similar rule: the documentation is filed within the first 30 days of the following quarter, for example between July 1 and 30, 2026 for Q2 2026.
What documents must be submitted to ARR for state aid?
The application must be accompanied by the fuel purchase invoices, with mandatory annexes showing the fuel station, the refueling date, the vehicle registration number, the card or transmitter-receiver ring number, the quantity of fuel and the odometer reading. You must also submit copies of the contracts with fuel stations, proof of ownership of the electronic dispenser, a summary statement for retail refuelings, and sworn statements. The invoice alone is not enough.
What should I do if ARR rejects my state aid application?
If irregularities are found, the business operator receives a decision stating the grounds for rejection. Within 10 days of being notified of the decision, it may file a corrective application, provided it has remedied the grounds for rejection: correcting the amount requested, adding the missing annexes or submitting additional documents proving the facts. A rejected application does not prevent filing for subsequent quarters.
How long must supporting documents for state aid be kept?
Supporting documents for the aid must be kept for 10 years under HG 153/2024. The aid granted is subsequently audited, so records of refuelings, odometer readings and eligible vehicles must be kept rigorously throughout the retention period. A GPS monitoring and fuel consumption tracking system helps you quickly reconstruct the data requested by the authorities, linking each refueling to the vehicle and the kilometers driven.
