- 0.50 RON per liter compensation for gasoline and diesel
- Total budget 300 million RON; cap per beneficiary €400,000
- Eligible beneficiaries include private passenger operators, local authorities, and own-account freight
- Applications by Dec 1, 2022; decisions by Dec 31, 2022; payments by July 31, 2023
In response to the accelerated rise in fuel prices in recent months, Romanian authorities launched a financial support program targeted at operators in the transport sector. The measure aims to partially compensate the increased costs for gasoline and diesel, affecting both private transport and public transport of people and goods.
The program, initiated by the Ministry of Finance through a Government Decree project, represents a concrete response to the growing economic pressure on transport companies. With a total budget of 300 million RON, the aid scheme seeks to sustain business continuity in the sector and to prevent further tariff increases for consumers.
Value of the compensation and allocated budget
The state aid scheme provides a compensation of 0.50 RON per liter of fuel consumed, with the following limits and financial conditions:
Key parameters:
- Compensation: 0.50 RON/liter for gasoline and diesel
- Maximum amount per beneficiary: €400,000 (equivalent in RON at the NBR rate)
- Total allocated budget: 300 million RON
- Estimated number of beneficiaries: approximately 3,000 economic operators
Implementation timeline:
- Deadline for submitting applications: December 1, 2022
- Deadline for issuing decisions: December 31, 2022
- Deadline for paying compensations: July 31, 2023
These deadlines are strict, and exceeding them can result in loss of the right to compensation; therefore, interested operators must act promptly.
Eligible beneficiaries categories
The compensation program targets several categories of operators in the transport sector, with licenses valid in Romania or in other EU member states.
Passenger transport
Private operators:
- Providers of regular passenger transport services (by bus or minibus)
- Authorized natural persons or legal entities with a transport license
- Operators conducting continuous passenger transport activity
Local public transport:
- Autonomous urban transport authorities
- Municipal transport companies
- Delegated operators for public transport services
Freight transport
Own-account transport:
- Operators using their own vehicles for freight transport related to their main activity
- Trucks with maximum authorized mass over 3.5 tonnes
- Vehicles used exclusively for their own provisioning or distribution needs
Covered vehicle categories
The aid covers the following vehicle types:
- Buses with capacity over 9 seats
- Minibuses for regular passenger transport
- Local public transport vehicles (trolleybuses excluded, as they are electric)
- Trucks for freight transport with MMA over 3.5 tonnes
Cumulative eligibility conditions
To benefit from the compensation, operators must simultaneously meet all the following conditions; the absence of any one condition leads to rejection of the application.
General mandatory requirements
Licensing and authorization:
- Valid transport license issued in Romania or in another EU member state
- Specific authorizations for the type of transport carried out
- Certificates of professional competence for the transport driver
Material resources:
- Minimum one eligible vehicle owned or legally in use
- Vehicles in technically operational condition
- Valid vehicle technical inspection (ITP) for all vehicles for which compensation is requested
Fiscal and legal status:
- Active status under the Fiscal Procedure Code
- No outstanding debts to the state budget (or approved installments)
- Demonstrable current economic activity
Exclusion criteria
Operators are NOT eligible if:
- They already benefit from other state aid for the same costs (exception: local public transport may cumulate)
- They have decisions for recovery of previous state aid not yet executed
- They are in insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation, or dissolution
- Their activity is suspended or temporarily interrupted
- They have requested or receive other compensations for the same eligible costs
- They cannot prove actual transport activity during the reference period
Particularities for operators from other EU states
Operators licensed in other EU member states must additionally provide:
Specific documentation:
- Notarial declaration confirming road transport activity in Romania
- Complete list of eligible vehicles with identification data
- Community license in original or legalized copy
- Authorized translations for documents in foreign languages
- Proof of transport operations performed on Romanian territory
Complete application procedure
Obtaining the aid involves several stages, each with its own requirements and deadlines.
Stage 1: Preliminary verification
Eligibility self-assessment:
- Review the full list of eligibility conditions
- Check vehicle documents and transport licenses
- Confirm absence of legal impediments (debts, disputes)
- Assess fuel consumption in the reference period
Stage 2: Preparation of the dossier
Mandatory documents:
For all applicants:
- Standard application form (available on the Ministry of Finance website)
- Copy certified transport license
- Vehicle registration certificate for the vehicle(s)
- Valid ITP for each vehicle
- Recently issued tax clearance certificate (max 30 days)
Declarations on own responsibility regarding:
- Compliance with all eligibility conditions
- Absence of other state aid for the same costs
- Current and uninterrupted activity
- Truthfulness of the information provided
Financial proofs:
- Fuel invoices from the reference period
- Bank statements showing payment of invoices
- Fuel consumption registry (if applicable)
Stage 3: Submission of the application
Submission methods:
- Online, via dedicated platform (if available)
- By mail, with acknowledgment of receipt
- In person, at the registry of the designated institution
Final checks before submission:
- All documents present and legible
- Declarations signed and dated correctly
- Deadline not expired
- Keep copies of the entire dossier for your own archives
Stage 4: Evaluation and decision
Evaluation process:
- Check for completeness (5-10 working days)
- Requests for additional information (if applicable)
- Cross-checks in official databases
- Technical validation of eligibility
- Issuance of approval or rejection decision
Possible scenarios:
- Full approval – amount to be compensated is established
- Partial approval – for specific vehicles/periods
- Rejection – with detailed justification
- Request for additional information – additional time for clarifications
Stage 5: Payment of the compensation
Payment method:
- Bank transfer to the applicant’s declared account
- Disbursement within a maximum of 7 months from the decision
- Possible staggered payments for large amounts
Post-agreement monitoring:
- Obligation to report on the use of funds
- Random checks by authorities
- Retention of documentation for audit (minimum 5 years)
Technical and mechanical aspects relevant
Understanding actual fuel consumption and the factors that influence it is essential to maximize benefits from this compensation scheme.
Factors affecting consumption
Vehicle technical parameters:
- Engine type and displacement (diesel vs gasoline)
- Engine wear and efficiency
- Injection system (worn injectors increase consumption by 10-15%)
- Condition of the air filter and intake system
- Correct tire pressure (low pressure = approximately +5% consumption)
Operating conditions:
- Route type (urban vs extra-urban vs highway)
- Heavy traffic and frequent stops
- Altitude and weather conditions
- Vehicle load and its distribution
Optimizing consumption to maximize the aid
Preventive maintenance:
- Regular oil and filter changes (adhere to manufacturer intervals)
- Check and clean injectors (recommended at 80,000–100,000 km)
- Replace fuel filter according to specifications
- Inspect exhaust system and catalytic converter
Driving technique:
- Smooth acceleration and anticipation of traffic
- Proper use of the transmission (shifts at optimal RPMs)
- Avoid prolonged idling (engine off at stops longer than 2 minutes)
- Maintain a steady speed on long routes
Economic impact of the measure
Direct benefits for operators
Reduction in operating costs:
- Estimated saving: 10-15% of fuel costs
- For an operator with 10 vehicles: about 30,000–50,000 RON/year
- Potential reinvestment of saved amounts in fleet modernization
Increased competitiveness:
- Keeping tariffs at affordable levels for customers
- Increased capacity to win public tenders
- Financial flexibility for expansion
Impact on the transport market
Sector stabilization:
- Preventing bankruptcies among smaller operators
- Maintaining healthy competition in the market
- Avoiding monopolies by large operators with strong finances
Consumer protection:
- Limiting price increases for transport services
- Maintaining quality and frequency of services
- Continuous access to diversified transport options
Macro-economic effects
Labor market:
- Preserving approximately 15,000–20,000 direct jobs
- Protecting incomes of professional drivers
- Stability in the auxiliary sector (maintenance, parts, fuels)
Economic flows:
- Keeping goods movement at reasonable costs
- Supporting supply chains
- Positive impact on inflation by limiting transport costs
Strategic recommendations for applicants
Proactive preparation
Document organization:
- Create a dedicated file with all required documents
- Scan all documents for a digital backup
- Check license and authorization validity terms
- Update tax records and other required certificates
Financial planning:
- Estimate the eligible amount based on historical consumption
- Plan using the compensation for strategic fleet investments
- Consider the tax impact of received funds
Specialized consultancy
When to seek specialists:
- Complex legal situations (litigation, restructurings)
- Questions about cumulation with other state aid
- Uncertainties in interpreting eligibility conditions
- Assistance in preparing the dossier to maximize chances
Useful resources:
- Ministry of Finance advisors
- Professional transport associations
- Consultants in accessing funds and state aid
- Lawyers specializing in European law and state aid
Continuous monitoring
Tracking the process:
- Periodically check the application status in the system
- Respond promptly to requests for clarifications
- Keep records of all communications with the authorities
- Adhere to deadlines for providing additional information
Post-approval:
- Maintain strict records of fund usage
- Keep all supporting documents per legal requirements
- Be prepared for potential inspections or audits
- Report as required by the obligations undertaken
Perspectives and future developments
Possible extensions of the program
Depending on fuel price trajectories and the impact of the current measure, authorities might consider:
- Extending the compensation period
- Increasing the per-liter amount or the maximum per beneficiary
- Expanding to other operator categories (taxis, alternative transport)
- Introducing bonuses for eco-friendly vehicles (Euro 6, electric, hybrids)
Long-term outlook
This temporary aid scheme reflects a broader trend toward supporting a transition to more sustainable transport:
Strategic directions:
- Incentives to modernize fleets with efficient vehicles
- Programs for conversion to alternative fuels (CNG, hydrogen)
- Infrastructure for electric charging stations
- Digitalization and route optimization to reduce consumption
Conclusions
The state aid scheme for compensating fuel price increases is a key measure to support the Romanian transport sector. With a 300 million lei allocation and the possibility of up to €400,000 per operator, the program can substantially affect the financial stability of around 3,000 companies.
Success in accessing this support critically depends on:
- A complete and correct understanding of all eligibility conditions
- Meticulous preparation of the required documentation
- Strict adherence to deadlines
- Active monitoring of the evaluation process
Transport operators are encouraged to act promptly, seek specialized consultancy when needed, and take advantage of this financial support opportunity. Given the complexity of procedures and the potentially large number of applications, thorough preparation and foresight can make the difference between approval and denial.
For updated information, clarifications, and later legislative changes, periodic consultation of the official Ministry of Finance website and ongoing contact with professional associations is recommended.
Note: The information presented is based on official documents available at the time of publication and may be amended by subsequent normative acts. For decisions with significant financial impact, it is advisable to consult a specialist in state aid legislation.