SIMPLE Platform 2026: What transporters and logistics must do before October 5

Key data

Road freight transport in Spain has a clear cut-off date: October 5, 2026. From that day on, Law 9/2025 on Sustainable Mobility requires that the administrative control document for freight transport be digital. It is not a recommendation or a roadmap: it is a legal obligation with a specific date.

To make this possible, the Government formalized on July 1, 2026 an agreement between the State Secretariat for Transport and Sustainable Mobility, ADIF and Puertos del Estado for the operation and development of the SIMPLE platform (SIMplification of Processes for Logistics Enhancement). This platform, operational since 2024, now becomes critical infrastructure for the national logistics system.

What does this regulation establish?

The agreement published on August 10, 2026 in the BOE formalizes the continuity and evolution of SIMPLE with three main objectives:

• Implement the national eFTI gateway: SIMPLE will act as the access point to the electronic freight transport information infrastructure required by the Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1942, which regulates the electronic exchange of logistics data at European scale.
• Digitalize the road control document: In compliance with Law 9/2025 on Sustainable Mobility, SIMPLE will be the platform through which these documents are managed in digital format from October 5, 2026.
• Connect with European data spaces: The agreement provides for SIMPLE's participation in the EDIC M&L (European Digital Infrastructure Consortium for Mobility and Logistics) and in the European project eFTI4LIVE.

AENA participates as an observer with voice but without vote, which anticipates the future integration of air mode in the platform.

Economic and operational impact

The impact is not only technological: it is operational and regulatory compliance. Companies that are not adapted to digital exchange of transport documents before October 5, 2026 will be in breach of Law 9/2025, with the administrative consequences that entails.

The specific operational changes that SIMPLE implies are:

• Replacement of the paper control document with its digital equivalent managed through the platform.
• Adaptation of internal fleet management systems, ERP or TMS to connect with the SIMPLE API or interface.
• Compliance with the European eFTI standard for data exchange with authorities and logistics partners in the EU.
• For port and rail operators: integration with the specific modules of ADIF and Puertos del Estado within the platform.

The platform is publicly owned, so access has no direct licensing cost. The real cost for companies will be that of internal technological adaptation: integration with their systems, team training and possible software development.

Who does it affect?

• Road freight transport companies: directly affected by the obligation to digitalize the control document from October 5, 2026.
• Logistics operators: must adapt their documentation and traceability processes to eFTI standards.
• Port authorities and operators in ports: integration with the Puertos del Estado module in SIMPLE.
• Rail freight sector: integration with the ADIF module.
• Companies with international logistics operations in the EU: must comply with Regulation (EU) 2024/1942 for electronic exchange of transport information.
• Technology providers in the logistics sector: opportunity to develop solutions for integration with SIMPLE.

Practical example

A road freight transport company based in Valencia that operates national and international routes currently issues its control documents on paper or in unstructured PDF format. From October 5, 2026, that document must be generated and transmitted in digital format through the SIMPLE platform, complying with the eFTI standard.

If that same company also operates in the Port of Valencia, it will need to integrate its systems with the Puertos del Estado module within SIMPLE. If it also uses rail for part of its shipments, it will need to connect with the ADIF module. In practice, this means that its IT team or technology provider must start the integration process right now, since development and implementation timelines in medium-sized companies usually exceed 2-3 months.

What should companies do now?

1. Verify if you are obligated before October 5, 2026: If you issue road freight transport control documents, Law 9/2025 affects you directly. Do not wait until the deadline.
2. Contact the SIMPLE platform to learn about integration requirements: The platform is jointly managed by the State Secretariat for Transport, ADIF and Puertos del Estado. Identify which module corresponds to your activity (road, port, rail).
3. Evaluate your current technology stack: Determine whether your ERP, TMS or fleet management system can connect with SIMPLE via API or if you need additional development.
4. Review your obligations under Regulation (EU) 2024/1942: If you operate international routes within the EU, compliance with the eFTI standard is also a European requirement, not just national.
5. Start the technological adaptation process immediately: With less than three months until October 5, 2026, timelines are tight. Prioritize this project in your technology agenda.
6. Follow SIMPLE's evolution toward air mode: If you operate in multimodal logistics with an air component, AENA's integration as an observer anticipates future obligations in that mode of transport.

Official source

View complete regulation in official source

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-17483