Transport in the EEA 2026: what changes for operators working with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein

Key data

International logistics and transport operators working with non-EU EEA markets have a new compliance obligation from February 6, 2026. EEA Joint Committee Decision 48/2026 amends Annex XIII on transport of the EEA Agreement, incorporating updated European regulations into the legal framework applicable in Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

The impact is not theoretical: if your company operates transport routes to or within these countries, the rules of the game have changed. Official publication took place on May 21, 2026, but the effective date starts from the date of adoption of the decision, February 6, 2026.

What does this regulation establish?

The EEA Agreement includes Annex XIII dedicated specifically to transport. This annex contains the European standards that the three non-EU EEA countries—Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein—must apply to ensure regulatory homogeneity with EU Member States.

Decision 48/2026 updates that annex by incorporating new European transport regulations. The objective is for the rules applicable in these three countries to be equivalent to those in force in the rest of the European internal market.

The EEA Joint Committee is the body responsible for ensuring that European regulations are continuously extended to these three countries. Each time the EU approves new regulations in areas covered by the EEA Agreement, the Joint Committee adopts decisions to incorporate them into the legal framework applicable in Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. This decision is one of those periodic updates in the transport field.

Economic and operational impact

For Spanish transport companies with operations in non-EU EEA countries, this regulatory update has direct operational consequences. The incorporation of new European regulations into Annex XIII means that the requirements applicable in Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein align with those required in the rest of the EU.

The main impact vectors are:

• Adaptation of operational processes: Operators who already comply with European regulations on their routes within the EU must verify that this same compliance is transferred to their operations in the three affected EEA countries.
• Review of contracts and agreements: Transport contracts with clients or partners in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein may require updating if they reference previous regulatory frameworks.
• Training and internal compliance: Operations and compliance teams must be aware of the new requirements incorporated to avoid non-compliance on international routes.
• Homogeneity as an advantage: Regulatory alignment between the EU and these three countries simplifies management for operators working in both markets by reducing regulatory divergence.

No data is available on specific sanctions or financial amounts resulting from non-compliance in the published information of this decision.

Who does it affect?

This regulation directly affects:

• Land transport companies with regular or sporadic routes to or through Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.
• Air transport operators with activity in these three EEA countries.
• Maritime transport companies operating in ports or routes linked to Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.
• International logistics operators managing supply chains with origin or destination in these markets.
• CFOs and operations directors of companies with transport contracts in non-EU EEA countries, who must assess the impact on their existing agreements.
• Legal and compliance advisors serving transport sector companies with international activity.

Companies operating exclusively within the EU or in countries outside the EEA are not affected by this decision.

Practical example

A Spanish road transport company that operates regular routes between Spain and Norway must review whether the new requirements incorporated into Annex XIII of the EEA Agreement through Decision 48/2026 affect its operations in Norwegian territory.

If this company already complies with current European land transport regulations on its routes within the EU, the starting point is to verify whether that same compliance is sufficient for routes to Norway under the new framework. Given that the objective of Decision 48/2026 is precisely to align Norwegian standards with European ones, in many cases existing compliance may be transferable. However, the company must formally document that verification and ensure that its contracts with Norwegian clients reflect the updated regulatory framework.

The same analysis applies to operators with activity in Iceland or Liechtenstein, adapting the review to the corresponding transport modality (air or maritime, as appropriate).

What should companies do now?

1. Identify if you operate in the affected countries: Confirm whether your company has transport activity in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein. If not, this regulation does not affect you.
2. Consult the full text of Decision 48/2026: Access the official source on EUR-Lex to identify what specific European regulations have been incorporated into Annex XIII and determine whether they affect your transport modality.
3. Audit current compliance: Review whether your operations in the three EEA countries already comply with the new requirements incorporated. If you comply with equivalent European regulations on your routes within the EU, verify whether that compliance is extensible.
4. Update contracts and operational documentation: If your transport contracts with clients or partners in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein reference previous regulatory frameworks, update the references to the new framework.
5. Inform operations teams: Ensure that those responsible for international routes are aware of the changes and can apply them in their daily operations.
6. Document the compliance review: Formally record the analysis performed. In case of inspection, having documentation of the compliance review is a guarantee before the competent authorities.