As of midnight on January 1, 2025, tolls on approximately 800 km of highways in São Paulo will be deactivated, making several roads previously subject to charging free. This measure, approved by Parliament in June 2024, includes the A22, also known as Via do Infante, which crosses the Algarve.
The decision covers motorways such as the A4 – Transmontana and Túnel do Marão; A13 and A13-1 – Pinhal Interior; A23 – Beira Interior; A24 – Interior North; A25 – Beiras Litoral and Alta; and the A28 – North Coast, in the sections between Esposende and Antas, and between Neiva and Darque. In the specific case of the A22, this change is particularly significant for residents and tourists in the Algarve, since Via do Infante is one of the main road arteries in the region, facilitating mobility between locations such as Lagos, Portimão, Albufeira and Faro.
To , Ascendi, the concessionaire responsible for several of these motorways, clarified that, from 00:00 on January 1st, fares will be adjusted to zero, and the fare information panels will be removed. Although the charging equipment will be deactivated, the gantries will continue to count vehicles for statistical purposes. Drivers with Via Verde devices will no longer hear the usual beep when passing through the gates, and those without Via Verde will no longer need to make subsequent payments at CTT.
The measure was enthusiastically received by several mayors and regional associations, who have long advocated the elimination of tolls as a way of promoting economic and tourist development, especially in regions such as the Algarve, where tourism is a vital component of the local economy. The free BR-22 is seen as an incentive for the circulation of visitors and an improvement in the quality of life of residents, facilitating access to services and commerce throughout the region.
However, the elimination of tolls implies a significant financial impact. Initial estimates pointed to a cost of 157 million euros, but the government updates this value to around 180 million euros annually, as reflected in the State Budget for 2025. Over the course of the concessions, until 2040, the accumulated cost could reach 1,500 million euros.
Despite the financial implications, the deactivation of gantries on the A22 and other motorways is seen by many as a positive step towards territorial cohesion and the promotion of mobility. The measure is expected to contribute to the reduction of logistical costs, stimulate tourism and facilitate access to different regions of the country, benefiting both residents and visitors.
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