The European Commission has adopted new State aid Land and Multimodal Transport (LMT) Guidelines and a State aid Transport Block Exemption Regulation (TBER) to support more sustainable transport across the EU. The rules will enter into force on 30 March 2026, with the TBER set to remain in place until 31 December 2034.
The updated framework replaces the 2008 railway State aid guidelines and expands coverage to rail, inland waterways and multimodal transport. It sets out the conditions under which State aid can be approved, while introducing safeguards to limit distortions of competition.
The LMT Guidelines outline support measures for infrastructure development, new rail and inland waterway services, and public service obligations in freight transport. They also include provisions to support the green and digital transition, including measures aimed at reducing transport-related external costs and improving cross-border interoperability.
The rules also seek to improve access to finance for small and mid-sized companies and new market entrants, including support for the purchase of rolling stock and inland waterway vessels.
The TBER complements the guidelines by exempting certain categories of aid from prior approval by the Commission, allowing EU member states to implement eligible support measures more quickly.
The Commission said the revised framework reflects market and technological developments and aligns with the EU’s broader transport and climate objectives.
