The new requirement stems from Spain’s Sustainable Mobility Act, published in December 2025, which requires the digitisation of transport documents for both freight and passenger transport. The mandatory digital document — the Documento de Control Electrónico — must include all key information related to the transport operation, including the loading and unloading locations, the weight and type of goods, the transport date, and the vehicle registration number.
The new rules will take effect on 5 October 2026. As of that date, paper documents will no longer be accepted for domestic transport in Spain and, consequently, for cabotage operations within the country.
Making cabotage subject to the obligation to hold a digital control document, while excluding paper documents, may raise compliance questions under Regulation (EC) No 1072/2009 and Regulation (EU) 2020/1056 on electronic freight transport information (eFTI). Nevertheless, despite these doubts, the new Spanish regulations are expected to be effectively enforced by local inspection services, the Polish Employers’ Association Transport and Logistics Poland (TLP) notes.
TLP adds that Spain has already introduced detailed rules governing how digital documents must be presented during roadside inspections. In practice, companies can use one of two options:
- presenting the document on an electronic device, with the possibility of sharing a copy with the inspector; or
- providing access via a QR code or a secure repository, allowing the inspector to retrieve and verify the document if required.
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Consequences of non-compliance
Failure to comply with the obligation to hold a digital control document will result in sanctions imposed by Spanish inspection authorities. From October 2026, paper documents will no longer be accepted, and the absence of a valid digital document may lead to vehicle detention and administrative fines.
Industry organisations such as Astic view the digitisation of documents positively, noting that it could facilitate wider use of electronic documents, such as eCMR, and improve transparency in transport operations. At the same time, experts warn that successful implementation will require technological readiness and a change in approach, particularly among small hauliers, to ensure effective use of interoperable digital systems.
Are hauliers ready for digitisation?
According to a study conducted in October 2025 by the Spanish transport federation Fenadismer and Continental among 750 transport professionals, only 17% of companies consider themselves prepared to introduce a digital control document. A further 35% report low preparedness, while 23% report being unprepared.
In addition, 25% of hauliers expect the shipper to provide the digital document, despite legislation clearly stating that responsibility for the document rests with both parties.
