In 2023, foreign-registered lorries were responsible for transporting 103 million tonnes of goods to and from the Netherlands, with Eastern European vehicles accounting for more than half of this volume. Data from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) shows that transport by lorries from Eastern Europe, particularly Poland, has increased nearly fourfold since 2007.
The total volume of road freight transport to and from the Netherlands reached 194 million tonnes in 2023. For the fourth consecutive year, foreign lorries carried more goods than Dutch-registered vehicles, with their share rising to 53.1%.
The expansion of Eastern European transport companies has played a major role in this shift. While Dutch lorries transported 91 million tonnes in 2023—30.5% less than in 2007—Eastern European hauliers moved 57 million tonnes, a sharp increase from 15 million tonnes in 2007. This means their share of foreign road transport in the Netherlands grew from 19.4% to 55.4% over the 16-year period.
By contrast, Western European transporters have seen a decline. In 2023, they carried 46 million tonnes of freight to and from the Netherlands, 26.1% less than in 2007.
Polish hauliers dominate foreign freight transport
Poland has emerged as the leading foreign transport nation for Dutch freight flows. In 2023, Polish lorries moved 30 million tonnes of goods to and from the Netherlands, representing 29.1% of all cargo transported by foreign lorries. In 2007, their share stood at just 10.9%.
Romanian and Lithuanian hauliers have also increased their activity significantly over the past decade and a half. Meanwhile, the proportion of freight transported by Belgian and German lorries has halved since 2007.
More kilometres driven by Eastern European lorries
Foreign lorries covered 975 million kilometres on Dutch roads in 2023, representing 14% of total lorry traffic in the country. This marks a 40% increase compared to 2013.
The rise in Eastern European transport activity is particularly evident in mileage. Lorries from the region drove 552 million kilometres in the Netherlands in 2023, more than doubling their distance from a decade earlier. Their share of total foreign lorry mileage rose from 36% in 2013 to 57% in 2023.
Polish lorries covered the greatest distance, logging nearly 280 million kilometres, followed by German hauliers with 177 million kilometres. Romanian and Lithuanian trucks also recorded substantial mileage increases over the period.
Younger lorries used for international freight
The data also highlights differences in the age of lorries used for international and domestic transport. In 2023, 86.7% of freight trips to and from the Netherlands conducted by foreign lorries were carried out using vehicles no older than seven years. Among Eastern European hauliers, almost half of the lorries were three years old or newer.
However, within their home countries, hauliers often rely on older fleets. In 2023, 65.1% of freight trips within Eastern Europe were carried out using lorries at least eight years old, whereas in the Netherlands, just 25.3% of domestic freight movements used vehicles of this age.