In short: After an international haul into another EU country, a haulier holding a Community licence may carry out up to 3 cabotage operations within 7 days there. After that, the same vehicle has a 4-day cooling-off period in that country. The legal basis is Regulation (EC) No 1072/2009 as amended by Regulation (EU) 2020/1055, applicable since 21 February 2022.
What cabotage is
Cabotage is domestic road haulage carried out by an operator established in another Member State – for example, a Czech haulier moving a load from Munich to Cologne. Under Article 8(1) of Regulation 1072/2009, any hire-or-reward haulier with a Community licence may do this; drivers who are third-country nationals also need a driver attestation.
For dispatchers the key point is that cabotage is never free-standing. It always follows an international carriage into the host country, and all goods from that incoming trip must be delivered before the first cabotage operation starts. According to the European Commission, empty containers or pallets moved under a transport contract also count as an international carriage.
The core rules at a glance
| Rule | What it means | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| Number | max. 3 cabotage operations | Art. 8(2) Reg. 1072/2009 |
| Time window | last unloading within 7 days of unloading the incoming international haul | Art. 8(2) |
| Other Member States | 1 operation per country, within 3 days of entering unladen, inside the 7-day window | Art. 8(2), 2nd subpara. |
| Cooling-off | no cabotage with the same vehicle in the same country for 4 days | Art. 8(2a) |
| Evidence | proof of the incoming haul and each cabotage operation, electronic allowed (e-CMR) | Art. 8(3) and (4a) |
A single cabotage operation may include several loading or unloading points. Member States may, however, restrict operations that have multiple loading and multiple unloading points.
How the days are counted
The Commission counts calendar days, not 24-hour blocks:
- The 7-day period starts at 00:00 on the day after the incoming international haul is unloaded and ends at 23:59 on day seven.
- The 4-day cooling-off starts at 00:00 on the day after the last cabotage unloading. It applies to the vehicle (for an articulated combination, the tractor unit), not to the whole company.
- If a period ends on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, it runs until the end of the next working day. Periods of two days or more must include at least two working days.
Worked example: cabotage in Germany
A Czech operator's articulated truck runs Prague – Munich and unloads on Monday 2 November 2026.
| Date | Trip | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Mon 2 Nov | Prague – Munich, unloaded | incoming international haul |
| Tue 3 Nov | Munich – Nuremberg | cabotage 1 |
| Wed 4 Nov | Nuremberg – Stuttgart | cabotage 2 |
| Fri 6 Nov | Stuttgart – Cologne, unloaded | cabotage 3 (limit reached) |
| Sat 7 – Tue 10 Nov | – | 4-day cooling-off in Germany |
| from Wed 11 Nov | cabotage in Germany possible again | only after a new incoming international haul |
The 7-day window would run until 23:59 on Monday 9 November, but three operations by Friday use up the quota. Alternatively, within the window the truck could run empty into the Netherlands and do one cabotage operation there, no later than 3 days after entering and within the 7 days.
Whether an empty repositioning run pays off depends largely on tolls and diesel. Logist Calculator works out both for a route – tolls from HERE routing and toll data, diesel from the EU Weekly Oil Bulletin. Calculate your route. For background on rates see Germany truck toll 2026 and truck cost per km.
Combined transport
Road legs of combined transport under Directive 92/106/EEC are in principle outside the cabotage regime. To prevent misuse, Member States may – after notifying the Commission – apply the cabotage rules to such road legs if they do not cross a border. When they do, they may set a window longer than 7 days and a cooling-off shorter than 4 days. Check each country's position before planning.
Evidence at roadside checks
During a roadside check you must present or transmit, on request, details including: name and address of consignor, haulier and consignee; place and date of taking over and delivery of the goods; description and mass of the goods; and the registration numbers of the vehicles. No additional document is required, and electronic consignment notes (e-CMR) are accepted. Inspectors may also use tachograph data.
Cabotage and posting of drivers (briefly)
Since 2 February 2022, cabotage – like cross-trade – counts as posting of the driver under Directive (EU) 2020/1057. Bilateral trips and transit are exempt. In practice:
- Submit a posting declaration via the EU portal (RTPD, the public interface connected to the Internal Market Information System, IMI) at the latest when the posting starts.
- Keep on board: a copy of the declaration, evidence of the transport operation (e.g. consignment note) and tachograph records.
- Pay the driver according to the host country's rules.
On 4 October 2024 the EU Court of Justice upheld both the 4-day cooling-off period and the treatment of cabotage as posting.
This article is not legal advice.
FAQ
How many cabotage operations are allowed in Germany?
A maximum of three within seven days of unloading the incoming international haul – the same EU rule applies in every Member State.
Does the 4-day cooling-off apply to the whole company?
No. It applies to the same vehicle in the same Member State; other vehicles of the same company are not affected.
Do I need a posting declaration for cabotage?
Yes. Since 2 February 2022 cabotage counts as posting, and the declaration is submitted through the EU portal at the latest when the posting starts.
Can vans do cabotage?
Vehicles over 2.5 t have needed a Community licence since 21 May 2022 and are subject to the cabotage rules. See EU licence for vans.
Sources
- European Commission: Rules on cabotage as applicable from 21 February 2022
- EUR-Lex: Regulation (EC) No 1072/2009, consolidated version of 21 Feb 2022
- European Commission: Q&A on posting of drivers under Directive (EU) 2020/1057
- European Labour Authority: Posting of Drivers
- CJEU press release, Joined Cases C-541/20 to C-555/20 (4 Oct 2024)
Last updated: October 2026. Check national rules (e.g. on combined transport) with the competent authority before planning.