The services of the Ministry of Economy and National Finance are increasing the “speed” to change the existing regime transit fees vehicles, with the central objective that any reversals take effect from the 2025.
In particular, with a recent decision (no. 38962ΕΞ/ 21.3.2024) of the minister, a special Technical Working Group is created for the reform of traffic fees for light commercial vehicles, which will process alternative costing scenarios and will present proposals.
Specifically, the task of the Working Group, which will have eight members, is to reform and update the framework of road traffic charges, formulate opinions on regulatory and legislative provisions, process and study new technological, economic, social and environmental developments, as well as such as the terms, conditions and criteria for defining the cost of fees.
Greater emphasis on emissions
In any case, it is important to note that the next interventions will bring significant changes to road taxes, since from now on special and greater weight will be given to environmental criteria and pollutant emissions, which means that there will also be differentiation between the vehicles that use alternative fuels.
The new “model” is essentially called upon to correct past distortions, but without “damaging” State revenues, given that in recent years the circulation of new vehicles with modern technology caused a “headache” in tax revenues.
It is also known that the amounts paid by owners of vehicles put into circulation for the first time after November 2010 are proportionally much lower than those paid by owners of vehicles put into circulation before 31 October 2010.
What goes into the State coffers
Every year, of course, the collections expected by the State amount to around 1.2 billion euros, which basically means that if the way traffic fees are calculated is not changed, there will be revenue losses in the medium term.
Of course, it must be mentioned that the new “regime”, as senior officials of the finance body have made clear, will in no way “punish” those who wish to acquire modern anti-pollution technology by increasing road tax.
The withdrawal measure is on the table
In this context, however, it must be taken for granted that there will be no reduction in traffic taxes for millions of car owners who purchased a car in the 1990s-2000s, despite being recognized not only by the market but also by those responsible for finance ministries, which in several cases is “destructive”.
However, what is being planned – but like any measure depends on the evolution of fiscal numbers – is the reinstatement, after about a decade, of the withdrawal measure, but this time with the granting of strong incentives, from the first time This measure did not produce the expected results.