Road Freight Insolvencies Rise in Europe
Rising fuel costs and new road charges force freight operators to reevaluate their operational budgets.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Transportation
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Dutch and Romanian road freight companies are facing surging insolvency rates as high fuel costs, infrastructure repairs, and new road charges hit operational margins. The Dutch road freight sector saw a 44% increase in bankruptcies during the first half of 2026 compared to the previous year.
Why it matters
Operators in the European logistics sector face mounting financial pressure from a combination of volatile diesel pricing and the implementation of new distance-based charging systems. These rising overheads are forcing smaller carriers out of the market as infrastructure-related delays further increase the cost of doing business.
Dutch road freight bankruptcies reached 75 in the first half of 2026, a 44% increase over the 52 failures recorded in the same period of 2025. Meanwhile, Romania recorded a 73% surge in freight insolvency cases during September 2026, totaling 869 across the national economy.
The players
AanZET
A Dutch government funding program that provides capital subsidies for businesses purchasing zero-emission trucks.
TollRo
The distance-based road charging system for trucks introduced by the Romanian government to manage transit infrastructure costs.
The details
Rising costs are driven by high diesel prices and the necessity for extensive infrastructure repairs, which create route closures. To mitigate these pressures, the Dutch government reduced the kilometre charge for trucks from approximately €0.191 to €0.148 per kilometre. Additionally, a zero-tax rate for trucks over 12 tonnes applies through December 31, 2026, though smaller firms remain vulnerable as they balance these tax reliefs against the ongoing burden of capital expenditure requirements.
Timeline
52 Dutch road freight companies went bankrupt in the first half of 2025.
The zero motor vehicle tax rate for heavy trucks began on 1 July 2026.
Romanian road freight insolvencies rose by 73% in September 2026.
The TollRo distance-based charging system launched on 1 October 2026.
Market Landscape
The regional insolvency trend follows the introduction of stricter distance-based road charging systems like Romania's TollRo. This move aligns with a broader European shift toward internalizing transport costs through higher taxes and charges, placing significant pressure on carriers' margins.
Operators should monitor fluctuating diesel costs and local kilometer tax relief programs, such as the Dutch government's current temporary rate reductions. Reviewing cash flow buffers is essential as distance-based charging becomes a standard operating expense across European jurisdictions.
The takeaway
Rising infrastructure costs and new distance-based fees are permanently altering the cost structure of European road freight. Review your current tax liabilities against temporary government incentives and track your route efficiency to account for the impact of mandatory charging systems.
What happens next
Companies should monitor for potential market volatility during the first quarter of 2027, as analysts warn that Romanian firms may face increased pressure in that period.
Further reading
For more on industry shifts, visit the Transportation section.
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