Editorial update: 2 October 2026. The original article date is retained; the regulatory and service information below has been updated for this translation.
Cabotage means domestic road transport carried out by a carrier from another EU country and is used to reduce empty running. In February 2022, the introduction of the Mobility Package significantly changed the cabotage rules. Below, we explain what changed and how it affects carriers, freight forwarders and customers.
The main changes to cabotage under the Mobility Package
The Mobility Package changed or clarified several rules concerning cabotage operations. These are the key changes:
The 4-day cooling-off period applies to the same motor vehicle in the same Member State after a cabotage period. Count from 00:00 on the day after the last cabotage unloading, not from the time of crossing the border. The deadline calculation must also account for weekends and public holidays under Regulation 1182/71. During the break, international transport, transit or remaining in that country is possible; a new cabotage period requires the break to have ended and a qualifying incoming international carriage.
For posted drivers within Directive 2020/1057, submit the declaration through the EU road-transport portal connected to IMI, at the latest when the posting starts, and keep it up to date. A declaration covers a driver, a host country and the declared period; it is not a separate notification of every individual load. Cabotage and cross-trade generally involve posting; bilateral transport and transit have exemptions. National portals such as SIPSI or MiLoG are not the notification channel for EU operators within this directive.
Since 21 May 2022, a Community licence is required for international carriage of goods for hire or reward with vehicles or vehicle combinations whose maximum authorised mass exceeds 2.5 tonnes. The threshold includes any trailer. The applicable exemptions must be checked; this is not a requirement for every vehicle below 3.5 tonnes. Operators within scope must also meet the professional, financial and good-repute requirements.
Since 1 July 2026, EU driving-time, break and rest rules and the smart tachograph version 2 requirement apply to goods vehicles or combinations exceeding 2.5 tonnes used in international transport or cabotage. Vehicles above 3.5 tonnes were already within scope. Exceptions remain, including certain own-account operations with combinations above 2.5 and up to 3.5 tonnes where driving is not the driver’s main activity. Check the vehicle, operation and exemption together.
Cabotage with vans: do the same rules apply as for trucks? (PL)
These changes require carriers to plan routes more carefully, taking the 4-day break into account. For customers ordering transport, they provide greater assurance that services are lawful and comply with the new regulations.
Need lawful cabotage? Contact us!
Discuss the route, load and documentation with AMG-Trans before departure. Checking the sequence of operations, mass limits, posting and driving-time obligations helps reduce compliance risks. An enquiry form or planning tool supports this work; it does not replace the carrier’s assessment or guarantee that an inspection will find no infringement.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What changed in cabotage after the Mobility Package was introduced?
After all goods from the incoming international carriage have been unloaded, the same motor vehicle may perform up to 3 cabotage operations within 7 days. In another Member State entered empty, the limit is one operation within 3 days of entry, also within that overall 7-day window and the total of three operations. Cabotage can start on the international unloading day; the 7-day deadline is counted from the following day. The separate 4-day cooling-off rule must also be met.
The 4-day cooling-off period applies to the same motor vehicle in the same Member State after a cabotage period. Count from 00:00 on the day after the last cabotage unloading, not from the time of crossing the border. The deadline calculation must also account for weekends and public holidays under Regulation 1182/71. During the break, international transport, transit or remaining in that country is possible; a new cabotage period requires the break to have ended and a qualifying incoming international carriage.
For posted drivers within Directive 2020/1057, submit the declaration through the EU road-transport portal connected to IMI, at the latest when the posting starts, and keep it up to date. A declaration covers a driver, a host country and the declared period; it is not a separate notification of every individual load. Cabotage and cross-trade generally involve posting; bilateral transport and transit have exemptions. National portals such as SIPSI or MiLoG are not the notification channel for EU operators within this directive.
Does the Mobility Package apply to vans up to 3.5 tonnes?
Since 21 May 2022, a Community licence is required for international carriage of goods for hire or reward with vehicles or vehicle combinations whose maximum authorised mass exceeds 2.5 tonnes. The threshold includes any trailer. The applicable exemptions must be checked; this is not a requirement for every vehicle below 3.5 tonnes. Operators within scope must also meet the professional, financial and good-repute requirements.
Since 1 July 2026, EU driving-time, break and rest rules and the smart tachograph version 2 requirement apply to goods vehicles or combinations exceeding 2.5 tonnes used in international transport or cabotage. Vehicles above 3.5 tonnes were already within scope. Exceptions remain, including certain own-account operations with combinations above 2.5 and up to 3.5 tonnes where driving is not the driver’s main activity. Check the vehicle, operation and exemption together.
Cabotage with vans: do the same rules apply as for trucks? (PL)
How long is the cooling-off period after cabotage?
The 4-day cooling-off period applies to the same motor vehicle in the same Member State after a cabotage period. Count from 00:00 on the day after the last cabotage unloading, not from the time of crossing the border. The deadline calculation must also account for weekends and public holidays under Regulation 1182/71. During the break, international transport, transit or remaining in that country is possible; a new cabotage period requires the break to have ended and a qualifying incoming international carriage.
After all goods from the incoming international carriage have been unloaded, the same motor vehicle may perform up to 3 cabotage operations within 7 days. In another Member State entered empty, the limit is one operation within 3 days of entry, also within that overall 7-day window and the total of three operations. Cabotage can start on the international unloading day; the 7-day deadline is counted from the following day. The separate 4-day cooling-off rule must also be met.
Does AMG-Trans meet the Mobility Package requirements?
Discuss the route, load and documentation with AMG-Trans before departure. Checking the sequence of operations, mass limits, posting and driving-time obligations helps reduce compliance risks. An enquiry form or planning tool supports this work; it does not replace the carrier’s assessment or guarantee that an inspection will find no infringement.
See how AMG-Trans carries out transport in full compliance with EU rules
Is cabotage still profitable under the new rules?
Yes. Cabotage can still be profitable when the carrier complies with the rules and plans operations carefully. Legally carrying out 1–3 additional transport operations after an international delivery still increases revenue and fleet efficiency while reducing empty running. However, the 4-day break and the additional costs of compliance, including administrative formalities and drivers’ wages, must be taken into account. Attempts to circumvent the new regulations quickly become unprofitable because of high financial penalties and the risk of losing the licence.
Sources checked for this update: EU · 1072/2009 · EU · 2020/1055 · EU · 561/2006 · EU · IMI