The situation is dynamic and shows that road transport—the backbone of supply chains—remains highly sensitive to fluctuations in fuel prices. From Poland to Spain and France, governments are trying to cushion the impact of price rises, while the Netherlands and Italy are facing social tensions and planned protests.
Spain: comprehensive support package and changes to the transport pricing formula
Spain’s Ministry of Transport has introduced a support package for road carriers, including, among other things, a change to the formula for calculating transport rates based on fuel price movements, increasing the fuel-cost share in the transport price from 30% to 40%. An obligation was also introduced to settle the fuel adjustment on the invoice, and a sanctions mechanism was prepared for improper application of the regulations.
In addition, the government confirmed that HVO and biodiesel can be covered by the support, and that the measures are temporary and adjusted to the current market situation. Spanish carriers have also been given some protection against the effects of fuel price volatility in the context of wars and disruptions in Middle Eastern markets.
France: limited support and failed protests
The French government announced a support plan for the transport sector worth €50 million, covering small and medium-sized enterprises, with compensation of €0.20 per litre of fuel. The programme was initially limited to April 2026, and additional instruments include deferrals of taxes and social security contributions, as well as short-term loans for TPEs. Philippe Tabarot, France’s transport minister, said in an interview with Europe 1 that support for companies struggling with rising fuel prices “may be extended into May and June if the situation continues”.
In addition to direct aid, the plan includes a range of measures aimed at easing cash flows for businesses in the transport sector, as well as in agriculture and fisheries.
The announced measures include:
- deferral of social security contributions without penalties,
- spreading out tax deadlines,
- short-term “Boost fuels” loans of up to €50,000 for very small enterprises, via Bpifrance.
These measures are intended to ensure a rapid response to liquidity pressure caused by rising energy costs.
Poland: administrative fuel price caps and possible fuel tourism
The Polish government introduced administrative maximum fuel prices under the “Lower Fuel Prices” package. Effective from 30 March 2026, the rates are: diesel – 7.60 zł per litre, petrol 95 – 6.16 zł per litre, petrol 98 – 6.76 zł per litre. Compared with previous levels, this means a drop of even more than one złoty per litre, bringing immediate relief to the transport sector and agriculture.
The mechanism provides for daily updates of the rates based on wholesale prices and operating costs, and is planned to remain in force until the end of April, with the option to extend it to the end of June. The estimated cost to the state budget is around PLN 1.6 billion per month, and selling fuel above the maximum price may result in a fine of up to PLN 1 million.
One effect of these measures may be an increase in fuel tourism from Germany, especially in border regions such as Brandenburg or Lusatia. German drivers may refuel more cheaply in Poland, which could increase traffic at border stations over the Easter period.
Countries without support: protests expected in the Netherlands and Italy
In the Netherlands and Italy, carriers are not receiving subsidies or mechanisms to cap fuel prices. The result is rising social tensions and announcements of protests.
In the Netherlands, mobilisation initiatives under the slogan “Enough: €2.30!” led by small transport companies are scheduled for 2 April, and carriers are using social media to coordinate their actions. The aim of the protests is to force government action in response to high diesel prices.
In Italy, the transport organisation Unatras is planning nationwide mobilisations in 100 cities, and Trasportounito has announced a nationwide strike from 20 to 25 April, which could seriously disrupt goods deliveries and the availability of construction materials. It is estimated that 92% of freight transport in the country takes place by land, so the impact on the economy could be felt within a few days.
Government support as a safety buffer?
Rising fuel prices in Europe show that without state intervention, the transport sector becomes vulnerable to crises and can quickly affect the entire economy. Countries such as Poland, France and Spain have implemented support mechanisms, although their scope and effectiveness vary significantly.
Where support is lacking—in the Netherlands and Italy—carriers are preparing protests that could lead to serious disruptions in logistics. Developments across Europe show that even temporary price interventions and subsidies can be crucial to maintaining supply-chain liquidity and industry stability.
