Key data
| Regulation | Decision of the EEE Joint Committee No. 316/2025 |
|---|---|
| Publication | 16 April 2026 |
| Entry into force | 5 December 2025 |
| Affected parties | Companies and transport operators operating in the European Economic Area |
| Category | European Regulation |
| EEE countries affected | Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein |
| Modified regulatory framework | Annex XIII (Transport) of the EEE Agreement |
Spanish international transport companies operating in the European Economic Area have a new compliance obligation from 5 December 2025. Decision 316/2025 of the EEE Joint Committee updates Annex XIII of the EEE Agreement, which is the specific regulatory framework that governs transport in Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
The objective of this modification is to ensure regulatory homogeneity between these three countries and the rest of the European Union, incorporating recent European legislation into the EEE regulatory framework. For Spanish transport operators, this translates into a mandatory review of their operating conditions in these markets.
What does this regulation establish?
Decision 316/2025 modifies the Annex XIII of the EEE Agreement, which is the document that contains all transport rules applicable in the EEE area. This update incorporates recent European legislation into the regulatory framework that Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein must apply.
The principle guiding this modification is regulatory homogeneity: the three EEE countries not belonging to the EU must apply the same transport rules as the rest of European member states. When the EU updates its transport regulations, the EEE Joint Committee adopts decisions like this one to transfer those changes to the EEE scope.
The aspects that may be affected by this update include:
- Transport licenses: new requirements or conditions to operate in EEE countries.
- Market access conditions: rules on which operators can provide services and under what conditions in Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
- Technical requirements: technical standards applicable to vehicles, equipment or operational procedures according to the specific content of the incorporated rules.
Economic and operational impact
The concrete impact of this update depends on the specific content of the European legislation incorporated into Annex XIII. However, any modification in this regulatory framework can have direct consequences on the costs and operations of transport companies working in the EEE.
The main vectors of economic and operational impact are:
- License adaptation costs: if the new requirements require renewing or expanding existing authorizations, companies will have to assume the administrative and, where applicable, technical costs associated.
- Review of market access conditions: changes in access rules may require renegotiating contracts with customers or partners in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.
- Investment in technical compliance: if updated technical requirements affect vehicles or equipment, companies may need investments to adapt.
- Risk of operational disruption: operating without complying with the new requirements may result in sanctions or inability to access these markets.
Who does it affect?
This regulation directly affects all transport operators that carry out activities in the European Economic Area, with special relevance for:
- Road freight transport companies with routes to or through Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.
- Passenger transport operators with international services in the EEE scope.
- Logistics and distribution companies with operations in the three EEE countries not belonging to the EU.
- Multimodal transport operators that include sections in EEE territory.
- Advisors and consultants for transport companies with clients operating in these markets.
- Operations directors and CFOs of business groups with subsidiaries or activities in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.
Practical example
A Spanish road freight transport company carries out regular routes between Spain and Norway, with intermediate stops in Germany and Denmark. Until now, it operated under the conditions of Annex XIII of the EEE Agreement in force before Decision 316/2025.
From 5 December 2025, this company must verify whether the new rules incorporated into Annex XIII affect its international transport license, the conditions under which it can perform cabotage in Norway, or the technical requirements of its vehicles to operate in Norwegian territory.
The first concrete step is to review the company's documentation against the updated content of Annex XIII and, if discrepancies are detected, initiate adaptation procedures before a roadside or border inspection detects non-compliance. Operating without complying with the new requirements may result in vehicle immobilization or the opening of a sanctioning procedure in the corresponding EEE country.
What should companies do now?
- Identify if you operate in the affected countries: confirm whether your company carries out transport operations in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein. If so, this regulation directly affects you from 5 December 2025.
- Review current licenses and authorizations: check that your international transport licenses remain valid under the new framework of Annex XIII of the EEE Agreement.
- Verify market access conditions: analyze whether the conditions under which you provide services in EEE countries remain compliant with the new market access requirements.
- Check compliance with technical requirements: review whether the vehicles, equipment or operational procedures used on EEE routes comply with updated technical standards.
- Consult with a specialist advisor in international transport: given that the concrete impact depends on the specific content of the incorporated legislation, it is advisable to have specialized advice to assess the exact scope on your operations.
- Update contracts and agreements with partners in the EEE: if regulatory changes affect service conditions, review and update contracts with customers and partners in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.
Frequently asked questions
Which EEE countries are affected by Decision 316/2025 on transport?
Decision 316/2025 directly affects Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, which are the three European Economic Area countries not belonging to the EU. Spanish transport companies operating in these three countries must review their compliance with the new requirements incorporated into Annex XIII of the EEE Agreement.
When does the update of transport rules in the EEE come into force?
Decision 316/2025 came into force on 5 December 2025, although it was published in the Official Journal on 16 April 2026. Companies operating in the EEE must consider that the obligation is applicable from that entry into force date.