In short: Since 21 May 2022, companies carrying goods for hire or reward across borders with vans over 2.5 t and up to 3.5 t permissible laden mass need an EU Community licence. The requirements are a genuine establishment, good repute, professional competence and financial standing of €1,800 for the first vehicle and €900 for each additional one. The legal basis is Regulation (EU) 2020/1055, which amended Regulations 1071/2009 and 1072/2009.
Who needs the licence?
Until 20 May 2022, vehicles up to 3.5 t were exempt from Regulation 1072/2009. Since 21 May 2022 the exemption only covers vehicles up to 2.5 t (Art. 1(5) of Reg. 1072/2009).
| Vehicle / use | Community licence needed? |
|---|---|
| up to 2.5 t, anywhere | no |
| over 2.5 t to 3.5 t, national transport in the country of establishment only | no (Art. 1(4)(a) Reg. 1071/2009) |
| over 2.5 t to 3.5 t, international hire or reward | yes, since 21 May 2022 |
| over 3.5 t, international hire or reward | yes (as before) |
What counts is the permissible laden mass of the vehicle or vehicle combination.
The four requirements
Under Article 3 of Regulation 1071/2009, the undertaking must:
- have an effective and stable establishment in a Member State – premises where its core business documents are accessible, commercial and tax registration, vehicles registered in that Member State and an operating centre with appropriate equipment (Art. 5);
- be of good repute – no serious convictions or penalties, for example in commercial, employment, tax or road traffic law, or under EU rules on driving times, vehicle safety or cabotage (Art. 6);
- have appropriate financial standing (Art. 7, see below);
- have the requisite professional competence (Art. 3(1)(d), examination under Art. 8).
On professional competence: Member States may exempt from the examination people who can prove they continuously managed, for the 10 years before 20 August 2020, an undertaking operating only vehicles up to 3.5 t (Art. 9). Whether a given country uses this option should be checked with its competent authority.
Financial standing: how much you need
Based on annual accounts certified by an auditor or duly accredited person, the undertaking must show that each year it has capital and reserves of at least (Art. 7(1) Reg. 1071/2009):
| Fleet | First vehicle | Each additional vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| vans 2.5–3.5 t only | €1,800 | €900 |
| mixed (including vehicles over 3.5 t) | €9,000 | €5,000 per vehicle over 3.5 t, €900 per vehicle 2.5–3.5 t |
Instead of annual accounts, the authority may accept or require a certificate such as a bank guarantee or insurance (Art. 7(2)).
Worked examples
Example A – van-only operator, 4 vans of 3.5 t: €1,800 + 3 × €900 = €4,500 in capital and reserves.
Example B – mixed fleet, 2 trucks over 3.5 t and 3 vans: €9,000 (first vehicle) + €5,000 (second truck) + 3 × €900 = €16,700.
Licence and certified copies
- The Community licence is issued by the competent authority of the Member State of establishment for renewable periods of up to 10 years (Art. 4(2) Reg. 1072/2009).
- The original stays with the company; each vehicle carries a certified true copy (Art. 4(3)).
- In mixed fleets, vehicles between 2.5 and 3.5 t need their own certified copies; according to the Commission's enforcement guidance, the authority enters "≤ 3.5 t" under "particular remarks".
Applying in Germany
Under EU law the licence is issued by the authority of the Member State where the company is established. We could not verify which German authority handles applications for a given business location against an official German source for this article, so ask the administration at your place of business before applying. Prepare evidence for all four requirements: proof of establishment, proof of good repute, certified annual accounts or a bank guarantee/insurance, and the certificate of professional competence.
What else applies once you have the licence
- Cabotage: max. 3 operations in 7 days, then a 4-day cooling-off – see EU cabotage rules.
- Tachograph and driving times: since 1 July 2026, vans of 2.5–3.5 t used in international transport or cabotage are subject to the driving and rest rules of Regulation 561/2006 and must have a smart tachograph version 2 – see EU Mobility Package.
- Posting: cabotage and cross-trade require a posting declaration via the EU portal.
For costing van trips: Logist Calculator calculates tolls and diesel for the up-to-3.5 t vehicle class, and you can enter vignettes you already hold so they are not charged twice. Calculate your route
This article is not legal advice.
FAQ
Do I need an EU licence for a 3.5 t van?
Yes, if its permissible laden mass is over 2.5 t and you use it for international hire-or-reward transport – since 21 May 2022. Not for purely national transport.
How much financial standing do I need for vans?
€1,800 for the first vehicle and €900 for each additional vehicle between 2.5 and 3.5 t, shown by certified annual accounts or, for example, a bank guarantee.
Do I need a professional competence exam?
In principle yes. Member States may exempt people who continuously managed a business using vehicles up to 3.5 t for the 10 years before 20 August 2020.
How long is a Community licence valid?
Up to 10 years, and it can be renewed.
Sources
- EUR-Lex: Regulation (EC) No 1071/2009, consolidated 21 Feb 2022
- EUR-Lex: Regulation (EC) No 1072/2009, consolidated 21 Feb 2022
- EUR-Lex: Regulation (EU) 2020/1055
- European Commission: TRACE II – Access to Market Enforcement Guidance
- European Commission: Q&A on tachograph provisions of MP I
- ELA: Driving and rest rules and tachographs for vans from 1 July 2026
Last updated: October 2026. Check amounts and procedures with the competent authority before applying.