The year 2025 has been designated for testing and implementing the new system, with a focus on improving efficiency and modernising the control of international freight transport.
The International Transport Forum (ITF) has officially confirmed that from 1 January 2026, ECMT permits and carnets will operate solely in digital form. This represents a major change for carriers engaged in international transport outside the European Union and EFTA.
The ECMT permit — part of the European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT) system — allows transport operations between member countries and transit through their territories. It has long been an essential document in international freight transport.
Who will be affected?
The digitisation of ECMT permits will apply to transport operations carried out between ECMT member countries — including Poland, Germany, France, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Russia, and several non-EU nations such as Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Moldova.
In practice, any haulier planning operations in these directions will need to adopt the new electronic system.
New tools and new opportunities
The move to digital permits is more than a change in format. It brings greater transparency, improved control, and the potential for simplified administration. A mobile application will provide quick access to documents, while the digital system will make it easier to share information during roadside checks.
For the ITF and national authorities, the digital shift will also improve permit management, enable real-time monitoring of usage, and help reduce fraud and misuse.
The upcoming changes demand thorough preparation. The year 2025 is the last opportunity for hauliers to test the system, integrate new tools into their processes, and train drivers and staff for the new digital environment.
From 1 January 2026, every operator using ECMT permits must be ready to comply with digital standards.
