EU Parliament backs more predictable rules for mobile transport workers

IRU welcomes the vote of the European Parliament Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) on the provisional agreement revising the coordination of social security systems at EU level.

Following Member States' endorsement of the provisional agreement, the EMPL vote strengthens momentum towards final adoption while preserving several priorities consistently advocated by the road transport sector for more workable and predictable cross-border operations.

IRU EU Director Raluca Marian said, "The vote supports a more predictable and workable framework for highly mobile cross-border transport operations while avoiding additional administrative burden for operators."

"The Parliament backed key sector priorities, including preserving the existing framework for drivers working in several countries, avoiding new notification requirements, and introducing a 35 working day deadline for institutions to respond to social security queries or withdrawal requests, helping reduce the time operators spend in limbo during disputes between authorities," she added.

What it delivers for operators:

• Continuity for cross-border operations: the existing framework for drivers working in several countries is maintained, avoiding disruption
• More predictable planning: the applicable system is determined in advance, based on expected activity over the following 12 months, reducing the risk of retroactive changes
• No additional administrative burden: no prior notification requirements apply to multi-country road transport operations
• Greater legal certainty: clearer procedures, defined timelines and proportionate penalties reduce disputes and provide more certainty during checks

The revision is intended to improve how national social security systems work together across the EU, supporting labour mobility and reducing legal uncertainty for people and companies operating across borders.

For operators, this is particularly important given the highly mobile nature of cross-border operations.

Several core elements advocated by IRU are reflected in the agreement, supporting greater predictability, stability and legal certainty for cross-border road transport operations.

The existing framework for drivers working in two or more countries is maintained. At the same time, clearer timelines are introduced to determine in advance which country's system applies, based on the expected activity over the following 12 months and valid for up to 24 months. This avoids fragmented or retroactive changes and supports more predictable planning for operators.

Importantly, no prior notification requirement applies in situations where drivers work in several countries. This avoids additional administrative burden for highly mobile operations.

The rules confirming where a company is established are also maintained, with additional guidance to support consistent application across Member States. No single factor is decisive, addressing concerns about disproportionate reliance on individual criteria.

Procedures for issuing and verifying the document confirming which country's social security system applies are clarified and strengthened. Defined deadlines for responses, including a 35-working-day timeframe, help reduce disputes between authorities and provide greater certainty during checks. Penalties remain proportionate and cannot result in a loss of social security rights.

Next steps

The file now moves towards final adoption. Following endorsement by Member States and committee approval in the European Parliament, formal adoption by both institutions is the next step.