EU adopts new state aid rules for transport including rail
EU: The European Commission has adopted new State aid rules for transport, introducing block exemptions for certain measures and extending the rules to other transport modes.
The package, adopted on March 16, combines new Land and Multimodal Transport Guidelines (LMTG) with a Transport Block Exemption Regulation (TBER), replacing the 2008 rail guidelines with a system covering rail, inland waterways and sustainable multimodal transport.
Faster path for some rail support
Certain aid measures can now be granted without prior notification to the Commission if certain conditions are met.
This replaces some case-by-case approvals with predefined eligibility, making approval faster for projects such as terminals, private sidings and railway service facilities.
Wider scope across transport modes
The framework extends beyond rail to inland waterways and multimodal transport, with aid categories including new commercial connections, service facilities and related infrastructure.
The changes support EU policy goals on modal shift and freight transport integration. The LMTG and TBER together replace the previous 2008 State aid rules for rail, bringing the rules in line with current transport and climate goals. The new rules apply from March 30.