The European Mobility Package obliges transport companies that second drivers to other EU countries to pay them wages according to the national standards of the country where the work is performed. For Ukrainian international carriers working in the European direction, compliance with these rates is not only a matter of ethics but also a way to avoid fines from EU labor inspections.
What minimum rates are based on in each country:
- National legislation of the host state
- Government decrees and administrative orders
- Collective agreements or arbitration decisions that have general binding status in accordance with Article 3(1) and (8) of Directive 96/71/EC
Why this is critical for Ukrainian carriers:
European labor inspections actively check documentation regarding the payment of seconded drivers. Non-compliance with national minimums entails fines from several thousand to tens of thousands of euros per driver, a ban on carrying out transportation in a specific country, and problems with extending ECMT licenses. The current situation on the main cargo corridors can be tracked on the checkpoint pages — for example, Yahodyn — Dorohusk, Ustyluh — Zosyn or Uzhhorod — Vyšné Nemecké. Read information about the largest labor market for drivers on the Poland page.
Current minimum rates in EU countries (as of 02.03.2026):
| Country | As of date | Week | Monthly rate | Hourly rate | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | 01.01.2026 | 40 hr | — | 12,59 EUR | Collective agreement |
| Belgium | 01.01.2026 | 38 hr | — | 14,9255 EUR | Collective agreement |
| Bulgaria | 01.01.2026 | 40 hr | 1 213 BGN | 7,31 BGN | Law |
| Croatia | 01.01.2026 | 40 hr | 1 050 EUR | — | Law |
| Cyprus | 01.01.2026 | 40 hr | 1 088 EUR | — | Law |
| Czech Republic | 01.01.2026 | 40 hr | 22 400 CZK | 134,40 CZK | Law |
| Denmark | 01.07.2025 | 37 hr | — | 196,08 DKK | Collective agreement |
| Estonia | 01.01.2025 | 40 hr | 886 EUR | 5,31 EUR | Law |
| Finland | 01.03.2025 | 40 hr | — | 17,46 EUR | Collective agreement |
| France | 22.12.2023 | 35 hr | — | 12,09 EUR | Collective agreement |
| Germany | 01.01.2026 | 40 hr | — | 13,90 EUR | Law |
| Greece | 01.04.2025 | 40 hr | 39,3 EUR/day | — | Law |
| Hungary | 01.01.2026 | 40 hr | 373 200 HUF | 2 145 HUF | Law |
| Ireland | 01.01.2026 | 48 hr | — | 14,15 EUR | Law |
| Italy | 01.01.2026 | 40 hr | 2 050,37 EUR | — | Collective agreement |
| Latvia | 01.01.2026 | 40 hr | 780 EUR | — | Law |
| Lithuania | 01.01.2026 | 40 hr | 1 153 EUR | 7,05 EUR | Law |
| Luxembourg | 01.05.2025 | 40 hr | 3 245,15 EUR | — | Collective agreement |
| Malta | 01.01.2026 | 40 hr | 229,44 EUR/week | — | Law |
| Netherlands | 01.01.2025 | 40 hr | — | 15,03 EUR | Collective agreement |
| Poland | 01.01.2026 | 40 hr | 4 806 PLN | 31,40 PLN | Law |
| Portugal | 01.01.2026 | 40 hr | 920 EUR | — | Law |
| Romania | 01.01.2025 | 40 hr | 4 050 RON | 24,50 RON | Law |
| Slovakia | 01.01.2026 | 40 hr | 915 EUR | — | Law |
| Slovenia | 01.01.2026 | 40 hr | 1 481,88 EUR | — | Law |
| Spain | 01.01.2026 | 40 hr | 1 221 EUR | 40,70 EUR/day | Law |
| Sweden | 01.04.2025 | 40 hr | 31 037 SEK | 178,37 SEK | Collective agreement |
What to consider:
- The amounts provided are the minimum that must be included in the basic part of the payment to a seconded driver. Surcharges for night work, holidays, or hourly allowances are calculated in addition to this base.
- In countries with collective agreements, the actual rate often significantly exceeds the legal minimum — check the current industry contract in the country of work.
- Exchange rates for non-Eurozone countries (BGN, CZK, DKK, HUF, PLN, RON, SEK) are fixed at the time of inspection, not at the accrual date.
- The data is current as of March 02, 2026 — rates are reviewed at least once a year, so before planning long trips, it is worth checking the original.
The figures are provided for guidance when calculating the basic part of a seconded driver's remuneration. For full legal compliance, the company must take into account industry collective agreements, surcharges, and tax withholdings of the host country.
Source: TruckMobility.info