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A significant regulatory change is coming to European road transport on 1 July 2026 — and with it, to international moving services. If you are planning to move abroad or relocate to Hungary this year, here is what you need to know about how this affects your shipment.
As part of the European Union's Mobility Package I, a new rule comes into force: from 1 July 2026, vehicles over 2.5 tonnes engaged in international transport must be equipped with a digital tachograph — specifically a second-generation, second-version (GEN2V2) smart tachograph.
Until now, this requirement applied only to vehicles over 3.5 tonnes. Under the new rules, smaller vans and light commercial vehicles must operate under the same monitoring and working-time principles as larger lorries.
Importantly: the rule applies not only to new vehicles. Vehicles already in service must also be retrofitted with the device if they are used for international transport.
A tachograph is an on-board electronic recording device that continuously logs:
The purpose of the system is to improve road safety and ensure that drivers comply with prescribed driving and rest time regulations. The smart tachograph also features GPS-based positioning and automatic border crossing detection, making compliance checks significantly more accurate and efficient.
A significant proportion of international moves are carried out using vehicles that fall precisely into this 2.5–3.5 tonne category. These vans and light trucks were previously exempt from tachograph requirements — allowing for more flexible route planning and faster deliveries.
From July, this changes. Every vehicle that crosses Hungary's border to carry out a shipment — even a single EU transport operation — will fall under the tachograph regulations.
This affects the entire moving industry: from large, established companies to smaller operators, everyone must adapt to the new requirements.
The tachograph automatically records and enforces mandatory rest periods. A driver may drive a maximum of 9 hours per day (10 hours is permitted twice a week), after which a compulsory rest break must be taken.
On shorter, one- or two-day European routes, this is unlikely to cause noticeable delays. On longer, multi-day journeys — for example between Hungary and Western Europe — planned rest stops may add a few hours to the overall transit time.
A positive outcome of the new regulation is that the transport process becomes more predictable and transparent. Tachograph data makes it possible to track exactly when a shipment departs and when it arrives — a benefit for both the customer and the service provider.
The transition requires significant investment from service providers. The cost of installing a GEN2V2 smart tachograph is expected to be around 400,000–500,000 HUF per vehicle, with additional ongoing costs for driver cards, data downloads, and administration.
This represents an industry-wide increase in operating costs, which may have an impact on service pricing over the longer term.
Tachograph-obligated carriers must regularly download and archive data, ensure driver cards remain valid, and maintain an ongoing internal compliance system. This requires professional expertise and a well-organised back office.
The rule applies exclusively to vehicles engaged in international freight transport and EU cabotage.
Situation | Tachograph required? |
|---|---|
2.5–3.5 t van, crosses an EU border | ✅ Yes |
2.5–3.5 t van, domestic transport only | ❌ No |
Vehicle over 3.5 t, any route | ✅ Yes (already required previously) |
Private individual, own vehicle, non-commercial | ❌ No |
Important: even a single journey involving a border crossing is sufficient to trigger the tachograph requirement. It does not matter how infrequently a company carries out international transport.
The figures paint a challenging picture: surveys suggest that more than 88% of van fleets do not yet have the required tachograph installed, and fewer than three in ten operators say they are ready for the July deadline.
This means that service providers who prepare in time will gain a significant competitive advantage — they can continue international operations without interruption, while unprepared companies may face legal and operational difficulties.
Euromove & Relocations has already begun preparing for the new regulatory environment. The affected vehicles in our fleet are being equipped to meet the new requirements, our drivers are familiarising themselves with tachograph systems, and our scheduling already takes the new rest time regulations into account.
Our goal is to continue providing our customers with a reliable, predictable, and transparent service despite these changes — whether for moves within Europe or beyond, personal effects shipments, or corporate relocations.
If you are planning an international move in 2026, we recommend getting in touch with us as early as possible to discuss timing and logistics — particularly during the summer months, when increased demand combined with the new regulations may make flexible scheduling more challenging.
The introduction of the tachograph requirement may sound like a technical matter for hauliers — but it does affect the organisation, timing, and cost structure of international moving services.
The key points at a glance:
Euromove is ready to handle your move safely and compliantly under the new rules.
Planning an international move in 2026? Get in touch with us and let's discuss the details before the summer peak season.