Regulation Radar
Every rule between 2024 and 2030 that changes the costs or the daily work of a European transport company, on one timeline. What it means for you in plain words, with the official source for each date.
Coming up in the next 12 months
The rules that take effect in the year ahead, for your budget and your planning. Click one for the details.
- CSRD narrowed: fewer sustainability reports, fewer data requestsEU-wide
- Netherlands: older vans leave the zero-emission zonesNetherlands
- Denmark: kilometre toll from 3.5 tonnes (proposed)ProposedDenmark
- EU tolls must cover trucks from 3.5 tonnesEU-wide
- eFTI: authorities must accept digital freight documentsEU-wide
Timeline of EU road-freight regulation, 2024–2030
Every rule with the date it applies. Picking a country also shows the EU-wide rules that apply there.
Showing 36 of 36 rules
2024
- In force
Austria: GO-Maut by CO₂ class
Tolls & road chargesAustriaCosts up or downASFINAG charges trucks by CO₂ class since 2024. Trucks registered before 1 July 2019 count as class 1; for a better class you send the vehicle documents to ASFINAG.
Cost effect: 2026, 4+ axles: Euro VI class 1 €0.5724/km, zero-emission €0.1189/km.
- In force
Eurovignette Directive: truck tolls vary by CO₂ class
Tolls & road chargesEU-wideCosts up or downMember states had to transpose the revised Eurovignette Directive by 25 March 2024. Truck tolls must now vary by CO₂ class 1 to 5, so a cleaner truck pays less per kilometre than a class 1 diesel.
Cost effect: Discount against class 1: class 2 5–15 %, class 3 15–30 %, class 4 30–50 %, class 5 (zero-emission) 50–75 %.
- In force
Germany: Lkw-Maut from 3.5 tonnes
Tolls & road chargesGermanyCosts upSince 1 July 2024 the Lkw-Maut applies to every truck over 3.5 t on Autobahns and federal roads, no longer only from 7.5 t. Craftsmen's vehicles under 7.5 t are exempt; since 1 December 2023 a CO₂ surcharge is part of every rate.
Cost effect: The CO₂ surcharge took a Euro VI class 1 truck over 18 t with 5+ axles from 19.0 to 34.8 ct/km.
- In force
eCMR: Italy, Austria and Hungary join
Documents (eCMR/eFTI)ItalyAustriaHungaryCosts downItaly (June 2024), Austria and Hungary (August 2024) acceded to the eCMR protocol, after Germany in 2022. A digital consignment note is now possible on most EU lanes; Belgium has signed but not ratified, and Ireland, Croatia, Cyprus and Malta are not party.
- In force
Smart tachograph: analogue and first digital units replaced
Tachograph & digitalEU-wideCosts upTrucks in international transport with an analogue or first-generation digital tachograph had to be retrofitted with the smart tachograph version 2 by 31 December 2024. It records border crossings automatically and can be read remotely at the roadside.
2025
- In force
Denmark: kilometre toll by CO₂ class
Tolls & road chargesDenmarkCosts up or downFrom 1 January 2025 Denmark charges trucks of 12 t and over per kilometre on about 10,900 km of roads, instead of the Eurovignette. The rate depends on weight and CO₂ class; low-emission zones add about 50 %.
Cost effect: Over 32 t: DKK 1.10/km for CO₂ class 1, DKK 0.13/km for class 5.
- In force
CO₂ standards for new trucks: −15 % from 2025
Climate & emissionsEU-wideCosts up or downTruck makers must cut the average CO₂ emissions of their new heavy trucks by 15 % from the 2025 reporting period. This pushes zero-emission trucks onto the market; a 2026 amendment made the credits easier to earn for 2025–2029, the targets did not change.
- In force
Netherlands: zero-emission zones in city centres
Vehicle standardsNetherlandsCosts upCities can run zero-emission zones for vans and trucks from 1 January 2025. Vans and trucks first registered from that date must be zero-emission to enter; older vehicles get transition periods by emission class.
- In force
Sweden: vägavgift by CO₂ class
Tolls & road chargesSwedenCosts up or downFrom 25 March 2025 the Swedish time-based road charge for trucks of 12 t and over varies by CO₂ class 1 to 5. Skatteverket took over its administration on 1 January 2026.
Cost effect: 2026 year fee, 4+ axles, Euro VI: SEK 14,414 in class 1, SEK 3,609 in class 5.
- In force
Smart tachograph: version 1 units replaced
Tachograph & digitalEU-wideCosts upTrucks in international transport with a first smart tachograph (G2V1) had to switch to version 2 by 18 August 2025. With that, the Commission closed the retrofit phase; enforcement of cabotage and posting rules now relies on it.
- In force
Toll exemption for zero-emission trucks extended to 2031
Tolls & road chargesEU-wideGermanyCosts downMember states may keep exempting zero-emission trucks from tolls, or charge them less, until 30 June 2031 instead of 31 December 2025. Germany did so from 1 December 2025: electric trucks over 4.25 t pay no Lkw-Maut until 30 June 2031.
2026
- In force
Belgium: zero-emission discount on the kilometre charge shrinks
Tolls & road chargesBelgiumCosts upIn Flanders and Brussels, zero-emission trucks lose their full discount on the infrastructure part of the kilometre charge step by step: 80 % in 2026, 60 % in 2027, 40 % in 2028 and 20 % in 2029.
Cost effect: Flanders 2026, zero-emission: €0.009/km under 12 t, €0.031/km at 12–32 t and €0.038/km over 32 t.
- In force
Hungary: HU-GO toll up 35 %
Tolls & road chargesHungaryCosts upHungary raised its truck toll in two steps, on 1 January and 1 March 2026. Budget your Hungarian transit lanes for the higher rate.
Cost effect: About +35 % in total against 2025.
- In force
Poland: higher e-TOLL rates and 645 km more toll road
Tolls & road chargesPolandCosts upFrom 1 February 2026 Poland charges higher e-TOLL rates and tolls about 645 km of extra roads, a network of about 5,869 km. A CO₂-class toll is drafted, but not law yet.
Cost effect: 12 t and over, Euro 5 or better: PLN 0.56/km on motorways and expressways (was 0.42).
- In force
Air-pollution charge in every EU truck toll
Tolls & road chargesEU-wideCosts upFrom 25 March 2026 member states with a distance-based truck toll must add an external-cost charge for air pollution. Older Euro classes pay more; it is one more component in the rate per kilometre.
- In force
Flanders: CO₂ surcharge on the kilometre charge
Tolls & road chargesBelgiumCosts upFrom 1 July 2026 Flanders adds a CO₂ component, so every on-board unit must carry the truck's CO₂ class. Wallonia and Brussels have no CO₂ charge for now.
Cost effect: Over 32 t, Euro 6: €0.285/km in class 1 down to €0.038/km in class 5.
- In force
Netherlands: vrachtwagenheffing starts
Tolls & road chargesNetherlandsCosts upSince 1 July 2026 every truck over 3.5 t pays per kilometre on almost all Dutch motorways and some regional roads, with a mandatory on-board unit. The Eurovignette ended for the Netherlands and the road tax (MRB) for trucks was cut or abolished.
Cost effect: Euro 6, CO₂ class 1: €0.113–0.201/km by weight; zero-emission €0.025–0.038/km. 22.3 % discount from 1 September to 31 December 2026.
- In force
UK: £1 vehicle tax for most HGVs
Tolls & road chargesUnited KingdomCosts downMost HGVs taxed between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027 pay £1 vehicle excise duty. The HGV Road User Levy still applies at its normal rates.
- In force
Vans over 2.5 t: tachograph and driving times abroad
Drivers & social rulesEU-wideCosts upFrom 1 July 2026 vans from 2.5 to 3.5 t in international transport or cabotage must have a smart tachograph and follow the EU driving and rest times and posting rules. Purely domestic work is not affected; an EU Community licence has been required for these vans since May 2022.
2027
- Today · 6 November 2026
- Adopted, upcoming
CSRD narrowed: fewer sustainability reports, fewer data requests
Climate & emissionsEU-wideCosts downFor financial years from 1 January 2027, sustainability reporting (CSRD) only applies to companies with over 1,000 employees and €450 million turnover. A haulier with up to 1,000 employees may refuse customer data requests beyond the voluntary standard.
- Adopted, upcoming
Netherlands: older vans leave the zero-emission zones
Vehicle standardsNetherlandsCosts upFrom 1 January 2027 vans of emission class 5 may no longer enter Dutch zero-emission zones. Replace them or plan city deliveries with zero-emission vehicles.
- Proposed
Denmark: kilometre toll from 3.5 tonnes (proposed)
Tolls & road chargesDenmarkCosts upDenmark plans to extend the kilometre toll to trucks over 3.5 t from 5 January 2027. It depends on a bill passing the Folketing; the toll operator still marks it as not yet decided.
Cost effect: Planned rates for 3.5–12 t: DKK 0.78/km in CO₂ class 1 down to DKK 0.13/km in class 5.
- Adopted, upcoming
EU tolls must cover trucks from 3.5 tonnes
Tolls & road chargesEU-wideCosts upUntil 25 March 2027 a member state may toll only trucks of 12 t and over. After that, lighter trucks on tolled networks pay too, unless the state shows the costs outweigh the revenue.
- Adopted, upcoming
eFTI: authorities must accept digital freight documents
Documents (eCMR/eFTI)EU-wideCosts downFrom 9 July 2027 every EU authority must accept freight information shown from a certified eFTI platform instead of paper. Using it stays optional for you; the paper CMR is no longer the only proof at a roadside check.
- Adopted, upcoming
AFIR: truck chargers on half the TEN-T network
Climate & emissionsEU-wideCosts downBy 31 December 2027, truck charging pools must cover 50 % of the TEN-T road network, with 2,800 kW per pool on the core network. Secure truck parks need two chargers of at least 100 kW.
2028
- Adopted, upcoming
ETS2: CO₂ price on diesel
Climate & emissionsEU-wideCosts upThe EU emissions trading system for road transport and buildings fuels starts on 1 January 2028, postponed from 2027. Fuel suppliers buy the allowances and will pass the cost on in the diesel price.
Cost effect: No fixed amount. A safeguard releases extra allowances if the price rises above €45 per tonne of CO₂ (2020 prices).
- Adopted, upcoming
Netherlands: zero-emission zones close to more vans and trucks
Vehicle standardsNetherlandsCosts upFrom 1 January 2028 vans of emission class 6 and Euro 6 rigid trucks first registered in 2017–2019 lose access to Dutch zero-emission zones.
- Adopted, upcoming
Euro 7 for new truck types
Vehicle standardsEU-wideCosts upFrom 29 May 2028 new types of heavy trucks, buses and O3/O4 trailers must meet Euro 7: stricter pollutant limits plus rules on brake particles and durability. The Commission has proposed postponing the heavy-duty dates; that is not decided yet.
2029
- Adopted, upcoming
Switzerland: electric trucks start paying the LSVA
Tolls & road chargesSwitzerlandCosts upElectric and hydrogen trucks pay the Swiss heavy vehicle fee from 2029, at a reduced rate until 2035. Parliament adopted the law on 2 October 2026; it is open to a referendum and the Federal Council sets the start.
Cost effect: Minimum discount: 100 % in 2029–2030, 70 % in 2031, 50 % in 2032, then down to 10 % in 2035.
- Adopted, upcoming
Euro 7 for all new trucks
Vehicle standardsEU-wideCosts upFrom 29 May 2029 every newly registered heavy truck must meet Euro 7. Expect it in purchase prices; the Commission's proposed postponement could still move this date.
- Adopted, upcoming
New EU driving licence rules: truck licence from 18
Drivers & social rulesEU-wideCosts downThe new driving licence directive applies from 26 November 2029. With the professional driver qualification, the C/CE licence is possible from 18, and member states may allow accompanied truck driving from 17, which widens the pool of new drivers.
2030
- Adopted, upcoming
CO₂ standards for new trucks: −45 % from 2030
Climate & emissionsEU-wideCosts up or downFrom 2030 truck makers must cut the average CO₂ of their new heavy trucks by 45 % against 2019, then 65 % from 2035 and 90 % from 2040. A large part of new trucks will have to be zero-emission.
- Adopted, upcoming
Netherlands: zero-emission zones for all trucks
Vehicle standardsNetherlandsCosts upFrom 1 January 2030 the last transition periods end: rigid trucks registered from 2020 and tractor units from 2017 may no longer enter Dutch zero-emission zones unless they are zero-emission.
- Adopted, upcoming
End of time-based truck vignettes on core EU roads
Tolls & road chargesEU-wideCosts up or downFrom 25 March 2030 member states may no longer charge trucks a time-based vignette on the TEN-T core network, apart from justified exceptions. Expect more distance-based tolls in countries that still use vignettes.
- Adopted, upcoming
CountEmissionsEU: one method for transport CO₂ figures
Climate & emissionsEU-wideAdmin & complianceFrom 2 December 2030, a company that publishes the greenhouse-gas emissions of its transport services must calculate them with EN ISO 14083 and have them verified (SMEs exempt). It is no obligation to report; the EU will provide a free calculation tool.
- Adopted, upcoming
AFIR: truck chargers every 60 km on core roads
Climate & emissionsEU-wideCosts downBy 31 December 2030 there must be a truck charging pool at least every 60 km on the TEN-T core network and every 100 km on the comprehensive network, plus hydrogen stations every 200 km on the core network.
Regulation radar: frequently asked questions
What is the regulation radar?
A free timeline of the European rules between 2024 and 2030 that change the costs or the operations of a road transport company: tolls, CO₂ pricing and standards, driver rules, tachographs, vehicle standards and digital freight documents. Each rule shows the date it applies, its status, what it means for you and a link to the official source.
Which rules take effect in 2027?
From 1 January 2027 the narrower CSRD scope applies and older vans leave Dutch zero-emission zones. Denmark plans a kilometre toll from 3.5 t on 5 January 2027 (not law yet). From 25 March 2027 EU tolls may no longer stop at 12 t, and from 9 July 2027 authorities must accept eFTI freight data. ETS2 follows on 1 January 2028.
When does ETS2 start, and what does it mean for diesel?
ETS2, the EU emissions trading system for road transport and buildings fuels, starts on 1 January 2028 after a one-year delay. Fuel suppliers, not hauliers, must buy the allowances, but they will pass the cost on in the pump price. There is no fixed price; a safeguard releases extra allowances when the price rises above €45 per tonne of CO₂ (2020 prices).
Which countries changed their truck tolls in 2026?
The Netherlands started its vrachtwagenheffing on 1 July 2026, Flanders added a CO₂ surcharge the same day, Poland raised its e-TOLL rates and network on 1 February, Hungary raised HU-GO by about 35 %, and Belgium cut the discount for zero-emission trucks. Since 25 March 2026 every EU distance-based truck toll must include an air-pollution charge.
Do vans need a tachograph?
From 1 July 2026, yes for vans over 2.5 t up to 3.5 t in international transport or cabotage: they need a smart tachograph and must follow the EU driving and rest times. Vans used only within one country are not affected, and neither is own-account transport where driving is not the driver's main job.
What is eFTI, and is the eCMR mandatory?
eFTI is the EU regulation on electronic freight transport information. From 9 July 2027 every EU authority must accept freight data from a certified eFTI platform instead of paper. Neither eFTI nor the eCMR is mandatory for transport companies: they are allowed, and authorities can no longer refuse them.
How up to date is this timeline?
Every entry carries the date its official source was last checked, and the page shows the latest check. Rules that are only proposed, such as the Danish toll from 3.5 t, are marked "proposed" because their dates can still change. Rules we could not confirm in an official source are left out.