Maximum weights by country in the EU: 40 t, 44 t and national limits
Operational guide · Directive 96/53/EC and national derogations
The EU reference limit
Directive 96/53/EC sets the maximum authorised masses for international traffic within the EU. A vehicle complying with these values cannot be refused in international traffic by any Member State:
| Configuration | EU reference maximum mass |
|---|---|
| Articulated vehicle, 5 or more axles | 40 t |
| Road train, 5 or more axles | 40 t |
| Intermodal transport (40–45 ft container/swap body) | 44 t |
| Single driven axle | 11.5 t |
| Single non-driven axle | 10 t |
The Directive distinguishes between what is mandatory in international traffic and what each State authorises in its national traffic, where numerous upward derogations exist.
The real national maximum masses
Masses authorised in national traffic frequently exceed 40 t. Maximum masses verified by TRALEXIA in the main jurisdictions (typical configurations; depend on the number of axles):
| Country | National maximum mass (reference) |
|---|---|
| Germany (DE) | 40 t |
| Austria (AT) | 40 t |
| Belgium (BE) | 44 t |
| Denmark (DK) | 48 t (6 axles) · 54–58 t (7+ axles) |
| Spain (ES) | 44 t |
| Finland (FI) | up to 76 t (9+ axles) |
| France (FR) | 44 t (GCWR) |
| Ireland (IE) | 40 t (5 axles) · 44 t (6 axles) |
| Italy (IT) | 40 t (4 axles) · 44 t (5+ axles) |
| Luxembourg (LU) | 44 t |
| Netherlands (NL) | 50 t |
| Portugal (PT) | 44 t |
| Sweden (SE) | up to 64 t (class BK1, 8+ axles) |
The other verified Member States (BG, CZ, EE, GR, HR, HU, LT, LV, PL, RO, SI, SK) keep the national limit at 40 t.
Alternatively fuelled and zero-emission vehicles
Directive (EU) 2015/719 allows the maximum authorised mass to be increased by up to 1 tonne for alternatively fuelled vehicles and by up to 2 tonnes for zero-emission vehicles, to offset the extra weight of batteries or tanks, without reducing payload capacity.
Why the difference matters
An operation loaded at 44 t, perfectly legal in Spain or France, may be overweight if the same vehicle runs through a country with a 40 t national limit without relying on the intermodal exception. Always verify the authorised mass of the country of circulation and the transit countries, not only that of the country of origin.
The figures above are reference values for operational purposes and do not constitute legal advice. Effective masses depend on the vehicle configuration, the number and spacing of axles, the suspension type and the national authorisations in force.
Official sources cited
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Check the weight of my operationThis guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult the official text in force.