Truck driver in Europe: how much they pay and what licenses are needed in 2026
Europe has about 502,000 open truck driver positions (as of 2025, International Road Transport Union (IRU)). Almost every EU country is short on drivers, so carriers are raising wages and improving working conditions.
If you have a category C or C+E license, you can choose the country, type of hauling, and schedule. Below we break down where the pay is highest, what documents you need, and what to look for in a contract before you move.
Why Europe is short on truck drivers
💡 In short:
- Demand for truck drivers in Europe consistently exceeds supply.
- Pay depends on the country, experience, and type of hauling.
- You need a C+E license and Code 95 qualification to work.
- Number of unfilled driver vacancies in Europe: 10/2026, according to IRU.
European logistics is growing along with e-commerce. Millions of tons of freight cross the continent every day, and carriers need reliable drivers. The labor shortage runs into the hundreds of thousands and has not closed for years.
There are several reasons. Some experienced drivers are retiring, and younger people rarely choose this profession. International routes mean time away from home, and not everyone is ready for that schedule. As a result, companies compete for people and offer higher rates.
The shortage is especially visible in Germany. According to the Federal Association of Road Haulage and Logistics (BGL), the country is short about 120,000 truck drivers (as of 2025, tagesschau.de). That keeps the German market one of the most attractive for specialists from other countries.
How much truck drivers earn in Europe
Pay depends on the country, experience, and type of hauling. Below are approximate monthly gross ranges so you can compare countries (as of 2026, Logifie).
Country | Gross per month | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Germany | €2,800-3,600 | fixed schedule, social benefits |
Netherlands | €3,000-4,000 | high share of international routes |
Belgium | €2,900-3,700 | regional routes, bonuses |
France | €2,600-3,400 | collective agreement, extra vacation |
Poland | PLN 8,000-10,000 | routes across EU countries, flexible schedules |
The spread within a single country is also wide. Drivers with an ADR certificate, a C+E license, and experience hauling hazardous or refrigerated cargo earn noticeably more. If you want above-average pay, focus on exactly those openings.
Many employers add per diems, punctuality bonuses, and a thirteenth salary on top of the base wage. Per diems provide extra income on international routes. Their amount depends on the destination country and the company's internal rules. Over a month they often add several hundred euros to the base wage.
Where to find truck driver jobs in Europe
Openings are posted by carriers, logistics companies, and specialized platforms. Large firms run their own career pages, but comparing conditions across countries there is inconvenient. Platforms bring offers together in one place and let you filter them by parameters.
Driver Work is one such service. The truck driver jobs page lists offers from different European countries. According to the service description, the filter works by country, salary, type of hauling, and schedule, and the application goes directly to the employer with no intermediaries or hidden fees. The same site publishes reference materials on traffic rules and taxes in individual countries.
Before you apply, check who is listed as the employer. Direct contact with the carrier lowers the risk that someone will charge you for placement. If an agency asks for an upfront payment for a position, you are better off walking away.
What license and documents you need to work as a driver
Working as a truck driver in Europe requires a standard set of documents. Without it, an employer will not put you on international routes.
- Category C or C+E license.
- Driver card and proof of initial qualification (Code 95).
- Medical certificate of fitness for work.
- Basic German or English.
Additional qualifications raise your value on the market. An ADR certificate is required for hazardous cargo, and there are separate courses for hauling fuel and refrigerated products. Those specialists earn more and find work faster.
What employers offer beyond salary
Carriers compete with more than money. A typical package looks like this:
- modern trucks with comfortable cabs;
- official employment contract and social benefits;
- bonuses for punctuality and safe driving;
- professional development courses paid by the company;
- flexible schedules and rotation schemes.
Some companies help with housing and reimburse travel to the workplace. There is also the option of working routes close to home if the region suits you. That makes the profession more predictable for you.
What to look for in a contract before you move
Conditions vary more between carriers than they seem. Check several points before signing.
- Type of hauling: national routes or regular trips across the EU.
- Who pays for accommodation and truck parking.
- How rest time and downtime pay are calculated.
- What language the training and instruction are conducted in.
- Whether there are extra payments for night routes and weekend work.
Be sure to clarify the per diem amount and how it is paid. Per diems are not always included in the salary discussed at the interview. Ask about this in advance so you do not count the money twice.
⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
Do I need experience to work as a truck driver in Europe?
Entry-level positions often do not require experience. Carriers hire drivers with a valid license and Code 95 qualification and provide on-the-job training. Specialists with an ADR certificate find work faster and earn higher rates than beginners.
What is the salary of a truck driver in Germany?
The German market remains one of the most attractive in Europe. Gross pay usually stays in the range of €2,800 to €3,600 per month depending on experience and type of hauling. Per diems, bonuses, and a thirteenth salary add to that amount.
Can I work without knowing German?
Many international companies accept you with basic English. For routes within the country, German is needed more often because it makes communication at warehouses and in paperwork easier. Language courses are sometimes paid by the employer.
Who pays for accommodation during a route?
As a rule, lodging and meals on the road are compensated through per diems. The payment procedure differs from company to company, so this point is worth clarifying before signing the contract. That way you know your real expenses in advance.
In short: how to choose an employer
Look for direct contact with the carrier, not paid intermediation. Check your license and Code 95 in advance, otherwise large companies will not put you on routes. Compare not only the base wage, but also per diems, schedule, and accommodation conditions.
If you have little experience, start with companies that provide training and with regional routes. Experienced drivers do better with international routes and specialization in ADR or refrigerated cargo.
Compare openings by country, salary, and schedule on the Driver Work jobs page and send your application directly to the employer.
A small editorial team writing guides for independent travel. We travel ourselves, but we haven’t been everywhere, so we check prices, opening hours and how to get there against official sources.