Within the EU, the posting rules for drivers do not take into account the vehicle’s weight, the driver’s nationality, or the duration of the operation. What matters is the nature of the transport operation: if the work could be performed by a local company, then posting is mandatory. Knowing exactly which operations require posting is essential to avoid fines and retroactive payments.
In short, the posting rules for drivers in the EU require:
- Registration is required when a driver performs work for a local business in another Member State.
- Cabotage (domestic transport within a country other than the country of registration) always requires posting.
- Cross-trade (transport between two third countries) is considered a local economic activity and requires posting.
- Occasional domestic transport and related activities (assembly, installation, and service) require posting.
- Transit and traditional bilateral transport do NOT require posting.
- Bilateral transport involving an additional operation is permitted within established limits—exceeding these limits classifies it as cross-trade.
- The gray areas (courier services, express delivery, 3.5-ton vans, logistics hubs) carry a high risk of fines.
- Rule of thumb: if the work could be done by a local firm → Posting is mandatory.
Basic Legal Principle (EU) – Posting
Posting (detachment) is required when the driver:
- works in a Member State
- for the benefit of a local economic activity in that state
It doesn't matter:
- vehicle weight
- the driver's nationality
- duration (can be as short as 1 day)
It depends on the nature of the operation.
Transactions where POSTING is REQUIRED
1. Cabotage
- domestic transport in a country other than the country of registration
- Example: truck/van (RO) → loading and unloading (DE)
- requires notification, local minimum wage, and documents on board
2. Cross-trade (transport between two third countries)
- example: company RO, upload IT → download FR
- considered an economic activity in the country of operation
3. One-time domestic transport (local operation)
- local delivery
- regional distribution
- courier services / last-mile delivery
4. Activities ancillary to transportation (if predominant)
- assembly
- installation
- service
- cargo handling as a primary business activity
Transactions where POSTING is NOT required
5. Transit
- transit through a country without loading or unloading
6. Traditional bilateral transport
- country of residence ↔ another EU country
7. Two-way transport + 1 additional operation
- permitted within the established limits
- Exceeding the limit turns the transaction into a cross-trade
Gray areas (high risk of a fine)
- Courier / Express / 3.5-ton van
- logistics hubs
Rule of thumb
If the work could be done by a local company → POSTING.
If not → probably NO posting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Founder and CEO of Paneuropa Logistics
I am György Bokor, Founder and CEO of Paneuropa Logistics. I have been active in the logistics industry for more than 20 years, focusing on international transportation, freight forwarding, last-mile deliveries and customs services. I am passionate about developing efficient solutions that connect businesses across Europe.