The European Commission’s decision to allocate nearly €2.8 billion under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) to 94 transport projects spans various sectors, but particular attention is being paid to the record-level support for Safe and Secure Parking Areas (SSPA) for road freight transport. Of this total, over €91 million will be used to build or upgrade truck parking areas in ten Member States, including Germany, France, Italy and Romania.
According to data from ESPORG (European Secure Parking Organisation), 81% of the funding for parking projects was awarded to initiatives submitted by its members – accounting for over €74 million of the total allocation in this area. As part of the investment, more than 3,400 parking spaces will be created or upgraded to meet EU security standards.
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Safe parking is not just an investment in road infrastructure, but also in driver welfare, crime prevention, reduced cargo theft and easing traffic congestion. The new facilities will be equipped with surveillance systems, sanitary facilities and reservation platforms. Their location along the TEN-T corridors is designed to alleviate the problem of illegal and dangerous roadside stops.
Investments aligned with the European Green Deal
Road sector projects form part of a broader plan to modernise the entire EU transport network. The majority of the CEF funding – 77% – will go to rail, including the construction of Rail Baltica, and the modernisation of lines in Poland, Czechia, Greece and Slovakia, as well as the rollout of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) in 11 countries.
In parallel, the EU is investing in seaports and inland waterway transport – including the installation of shore-side electricity systems in ports in Ireland, Cyprus, Malta, Croatia and Poland, and the modernisation of icebreakers in the Baltic Sea region. Further projects include the digitalisation of inland navigation in Belgium and maritime traffic management systems in France and Spain.
Secure parking and modern roads, alongside investments in rail and ports, are part of the EU’s Green Deal implementation and the development of resilient infrastructure. As Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, emphasised: “From secure road networks to a smarter European sky – these investments are a cornerstone of the EU Green Deal and geopolitical resilience.”
Parking shortages and challenges for drivers
The new investments in secure truck parking areas are crucial in light of a European Commission report released in mid-April, which revealed the scale of the problem. Data shows that across the EU, there is currently a shortfall of around 390,000 certified truck parking spaces, and this deficit could grow to 483,000 by 2040.
While some parking areas already have basic security features, many still fall short of EU standards and are not certified. In practice, this means a lack of guaranteed safety for drivers and the goods they transport.
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An additional problem is the limited access to affordable overnight accommodation near parking areas. According to the report, many drivers are unable to use nearby hotels, even if they are just a few kilometres away. High prices, lack of transport options and rigid opening hours often force professional drivers to rest in their vehicle cabins.
The Commission’s report suggests that changes to the Mobility Package could be considered, potentially allowing weekly rest in the cabin – but only at parking areas that meet the highest standards of safety and comfort. This proposal, however, is highly controversial among trade unions, which warn it could worsen drivers’ working and resting conditions.
Connecting Europe Facility 2021–2027 – transport budget
The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) has a total budget of €33.7 billion, of which €25.8 billion is earmarked for the transport sector. The funds are available to all EU Member States, as well as to Ukraine and Moldova as associated countries.
Since its launch in 2014, the programme has supported a total of 1,861 transport projects. Brussels has allocated €47.34 billion to them.
