Key data
| Regulation | Royal Decree 730/2026, of September 9 |
|---|---|
| Publication | September 11, 2026 |
| Effective date | September 11, 2026 |
| Affected parties | Freight transport companies with heavy vehicles of 4 or more axles ("Heavy 2" category) on the AP-68 |
| Affected section | Zambrana – Tudela (AP-68, Bilbao-Zaragoza) |
| Maximum discount | 75% with VIA T electronic toll payment on internal routes of the section |
| Other discount | 71.27% for heavy vehicles without VIA T or outside the internal section |
| Validity | Until November 10, 2026 (end of Avasa concession) |
| Category | Regulatory Changes |
| Year | 2026 |
Freight transport companies operating in the Bilbao-Zaragoza corridor have a direct savings opportunity: Royal Decree 730/2026 extends and formalizes toll discounts for heavy vehicles in the "Heavy 2" category on the Zambrana-Tudela section of the AP-68, valid until November 10, 2026. Access to the maximum 75% discount requires the use of the VIA T electronic toll system.
The regulation was created because the State, La Rioja, and concessionaire Avasa were unable to sign a new tripartite agreement. The solution adopted was direct modification of the concession, which guarantees the continuity of discounts without interruption until the end of the concession.
What does this regulation establish?
Royal Decree 730/2026 modifies the terms of the AP-68 motorway concession (Bilbao-Zaragoza) to extend toll discounts to heavy vehicles on the Zambrana-Tudela section. It establishes two differentiated discount levels:
| Vehicle type / condition | Applicable discount | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| "Heavy 2" vehicles on internal routes of the Zambrana-Tudela section | 75% | Payment via VIA T electronic toll |
| Other heavy vehicles in the "Heavy 2" category | 71.27% | No additional VIA T requirement |
The measure is directly linked to the prohibition on circulation of heavy vehicles with 4 or more axles on roads N-232 and N-124 as they pass through La Rioja. This prohibition responds to road safety reasons and reduction of accidents on those conventional roads. The AP-68 motorway thus acts as a mandatory alternative for these vehicles.
The regulation addresses the impossibility of approving a new tripartite agreement between the State, the Autonomous Community of La Rioja, and Avasa, opting for direct concession modification. The discounts remain in effect until November 10, 2026, the date of extinction of the Avasa concession.
Economic and operational impact
For transport companies, the impact is immediate and positive: the toll cost on the Zambrana-Tudela section is reduced to a quarter of the base price if VIA T is used. This makes the discount a significant savings lever for fleets making frequent trips on this corridor.
The key operational impact is the requirement to have VIA T to access the maximum 75% discount. Companies that do not have the system installed in their vehicles still access the discount, but at a lower rate of 71.27%, which represents a difference of almost 4 percentage points compared to the maximum.
From a logistics planning perspective, the prohibition on N-232 and N-124 makes the use of the AP-68 non-optional for these vehicles: it is the only legal route available. The discount reduces the additional cost that this obligation generates for companies in the sector.
Who does it affect?
- Freight transport companies by road with heavy vehicles of 4 or more axles ("Heavy 2" category).
- Logistics operators and distributors who regularly use the Bilbao-Zaragoza corridor (AP-68).
- Own fleets of industrial or commercial companies that transport goods in large-tonnage trucks on this axis.
- Self-employed transporters with vehicles of 4 or more axles operating on the Zambrana-Tudela section.
- Companies with routes through La Rioja that previously used roads N-232 or N-124, now required to use the AP-68.
Practical example
A transport company with a fleet of 10 four-axle trucks making 20 weekly trips on the Zambrana-Tudela section of the AP-68 can calculate its savings as follows:
Suppose the base toll for a "Heavy 2" vehicle on that section is €30. With the 75% discount via VIA T, the cost per trip is €7.50 (saving €22.50 per passage). With the 71.27% discount without VIA T, the cost would be €8.62 (saving €21.38 per passage).
The difference between using or not using VIA T is €1.12 per trip. For a fleet with 200 weekly trips, that means more than €224 in additional savings per week simply by having electronic toll installed. Over the two months remaining until the end of the concession (September 11 to November 10, 2026), the additional accumulated savings from using VIA T versus not using it could exceed €1,700 per fleet.
What should companies do now?
- Verify if your vehicles are "Heavy 2": Confirm that trucks have 4 or more axles, as this is the requirement to access the discount.
- Install or activate VIA T on all eligible vehicles: It is the only way to access the maximum 75% discount. If you already have VIA T, verify that it is operational and properly configured.
- Update operational routes: Remember that roads N-232 and N-124 as they pass through La Rioja are prohibited for these vehicles. The AP-68 is the mandatory route and the discount compensates for the additional cost.
- Calculate real savings for the fleet: With the 75% or 71.27% percentages, estimate the impact on toll costs until November 10, 2026 and reflect it in financial planning.
- Mark November 10, 2026 on the calendar: That is the date of extinction of the Avasa concession and the automatic end of discounts. From that date, toll conditions will change and you must stay alert to the new regulation.
Frequently asked questions
Which trucks are entitled to the 75% discount on the AP-68?
Heavy vehicles in the "Heavy 2" category, that is, trucks with 4 or more axles traveling on the Zambrana-Tudela section of the AP-68. Additionally, to access the maximum 75% discount, payment must be made via VIA T electronic toll on internal routes of the section. Without VIA T, the applicable discount is 71.27%.
Until when is the toll discount on the AP-68 for trucks valid?
The discount is valid until November 10, 2026, the date when the Avasa concession on the AP-68 motorway (Bilbao-Zaragoza) expires. From that date, toll conditions will be subject to the new regulation that is established.
Is it mandatory to use the AP-68 for trucks with 4 or more axles in La Rioja?
Yes. Heavy vehicles with 4 or more axles are prohibited from circulating on roads N-232 and N-124 as they pass through La Rioja, for road safety reasons and reduction of accidents. The AP-68 is the mandatory alternative, and the discount from Royal Decree 730/2026 is designed precisely to compensate for the additional cost that this obligation generates.
Why was Royal Decree 730/2026 approved instead of a tripartite agreement?
Because the State, the Autonomous Community of La Rioja, and concessionaire Avasa were unable to reach a new tripartite agreement. To ensure the continuity of discounts without interruption, the Government opted for direct concession modification, which does not require the agreement of all three parties.
What is the difference between the 75% and 71.27% discounts?
The 75% applies to "Heavy 2" vehicles that make internal trips on the Zambrana-Tudela section and pay via VIA T electronic toll. The 71.27% applies to other eligible heavy vehicles that do not meet that condition (without VIA T or on trips that are not strictly internal to the section). The difference of almost 4 percentage points can mean hundreds of euros in additional savings per month for fleets with high frequency of passage.
Official source
View complete regulation at official source
Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-19039
