Case C‑480/23

European Commission

v

Republic of Bulgaria

Judgment of the Court (Seventh Chamber) of 20 March 2025

(Failure of a Member State to fulfil obligations – Article 258 TFEU – Promotion of clean and energy-efficient road transport vehicles – Directive (EU) 2019/1161 – Failure to transpose and to notify the transposition measures – Article 260(3) TFEU – Application for an order to pay a lump sum)

1. Actions for failure to fulfil obligations – Examination of the merits by the Court – Situation to be taken into consideration – Situation on expiry of the period laid down in the reasoned opinion

   (Art. 258 TFEU; European Parliament and Council Directive 2019/1161)

   (see paragraph 54)

2. Actions for failure to fulfil obligations – Judgment of the Court establishing the failure of a Member State to fulfil its obligations – Failure to fulfil the obligation to notify measures transposing a directive – Financial penalties – Discretion of the Court – Criteria

   (Art. 260(3) TFEU; European Parliament and Council Directive 2019/1161)

   (see paragraph 87)

3. Actions for failure to fulfil obligations – Judgment of the Court establishing the failure of a Member State to fulfil its obligations – Failure to fulfil the obligation to notify measures transposing a directive – Financial penalties – Lump sum – Calculation of the amount – Criteria

   (Art. 260(3) TFEU; European Parliament and Council Directive 2019/1161)

   (see paragraphs 89-91)

See the text of the decision.