What Does the Introduction of the Transit Route Network Mean?
On 1 January 2026, Decree No. 44/2025 (XII. 23.) of the Ministry of Construction and Transport entered into force. This decree substantially amends Decree No. 26/2021 (VI. 28.) of the Ministry for Innovation and Technology on road administration and introduces a new legal concept into Hungarian road regulation: the transit route network.
The decree establishes a two-tier system, dividing the transit route network into two components:
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the core transit route network, comprising the main international and national transit corridors (motorways, expressways, and specified sections of main roads); and
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the supplementary network, connecting the core network to logistics centres, industrial parks, ports, and Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport.
The amendment also introduces a new road designation system:
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elements of the core network receive a “T–” numbering in addition to national road numbering;
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elements of the supplementary network are designated with a “TI–” marking, together with a reference to the endpoint.
This system creates a uniform legal and administrative basis for identifying transit routes.
The new Annex 2/A to the decree lists all elements of the transit route network in detail, specifying the road numbers, routes, kilometre sections, and the nature of each segment (expressway, main road, section affecting residential areas).
The statutory designation of the transit route network lays the foundation for future traffic regulation, restriction, monitoring, and potential toll-setting measures, with particular regard to heavy goods vehicle traffic. The regulation affects municipalities, carriers, and logistics and industrial stakeholders alike.
The amendment applies from 1 January 2026 without transitional provisions, meaning that from this date the transit route network becomes a mandatory reference point for road administration and legal enforcement.
In order to preserve the competitiveness of domestic carriers alongside regulatory objectives, the Ministry of Construction and Transport concluded an agreement with professional carrier interest groups on 19 December 2025. Under this agreement, inter alia:
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carriers supported the routing of freight traffic along designated roads;
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a two-stage toll increase will take place in 2026 (a total increase of 35% compared to 2025 rates);
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regional freight traffic restrictions will be reviewed quarterly, with the involvement of professional organisations.
The agreement was signed not only by state actors but also by several national professional and representative bodies, including the National Toll Payment Services Plc., Hungarian Public Roads Nonprofit Plc., and leading freight and logistics associations.
Stricter Traffic Rules under the Highway Code to Reduce Transit Traffic
On 1 January 2026, Government Decree No. 439/2025 (XII. 23.) entered into force, introducing significant amendments to Joint Decree No. 1/1975 (II. 5.) KPM–BM on Road Traffic Rules (the Hungarian Highway Code – KRESZ).
Under the amended rules, heavy goods vehicles may travel only on motorways, expressways, and main roads, and heavy goods vehicles without a destination in Hungary may, as a general rule, use only the statutorily designated transit route network. The regulation clearly establishes that purely transit freight traffic may not arbitrarily deviate from designated routes or freely use main or secondary roads.
As in all regulatory frameworks, exceptions apply. The amended Highway Code specifies cases in which the restriction does not apply. Heavy goods vehicles are exempt where they operate within the same county as their point of origin or destination—or, if this is not possible, a neighbouring county—and are engaged in loading or unloading goods, performing work using special equipment, or travelling to or from the operator’s premises. These exceptions must be interpreted narrowly in both territorial and functional terms and do not apply to general transit traffic.
The decree also clarifies another provision of the Highway Code by expressly including road operator functions alongside public cleanliness and public health duties. From an interpretative perspective, this strengthens the role of road operators and provides them with a broader legal basis for traffic management measures.
The amendment renders the provisions relating to the transit route network directly enforceable. From 1 January 2026, breaches of these rules may constitute an infringement, giving rise to misdemeanour or administrative sanctions. The changes are of particular relevance to carriers, logistics service providers, and municipalities affected by transit routes.
The overarching objectives of the amendments are therefore to exclude transit freight traffic from non-designated road sections and to enhance the protection of residential areas and secondary roads. In light of the transformed legal environment, affected economic operators are advised to review their traffic and route-planning practices.
At present, it is not yet possible to determine precisely the extent to which traffic volumes will increase on designated transit routes as a result of the new regulation, how this will affect private road use, or the degree to which costs for carriers and businesses will rise. These impacts will become clear only through future practical experience.
