Balance tilting towards UK hauliers

After years of competing on an uneven post-Brexit playing field, UK international hauliers are entering 2026 with structural advantages finally moving in their favour. 

Regulatory change, rising cost pressures across the EU and tighter controls on cross-border movement are beginning to reshape who can compete most effectively in the UK–EU road freight market. While volumes remain contested, the direction of travel suggests improving competitiveness for UK-registered operators.

From 25 February 2026, foreign HGV drivers travelling to the UK who do not require a visa for short stays will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). Drivers without a valid ETA will not be permitted to board transport to the UK.

The Home Office has already rolled out port-based communications and visual assets to support compliance, signalling that enforcement will be practical and visible rather than theoretical. For UK hauliers, whose drivers already hold UK immigration status, this removes friction rather than adding it—reducing uncertainty at the border and improving journey reliability.

UK operators quietly rebuild momentum

Official data shows that UK-registered HGVs are beginning to recover ground in international movements. UK vehicles lifted 4% more international freight year on year, while the number of cross-border trips rose by 2%.

UK-registered vehicles now account for 13% of powered vehicle trips to Europe and that recent growth contrasts with a more challenging picture for foreign operators. Freight lifted by foreign-registered HGVs to and from the UK fell by over 5% in 2023, reflecting pressure on both import and export legs.

According to the Road Haulage Association (RHA), EU operators are entering a period of stagnation rather than expansion. Growth is constrained not by lack of demand, but by rising operating costs and regulatory pressure.

Fuel, tolls and insurance costs continue to increase across the EU, while driver shortages are forecast to reach 400,000 by 2026. At the same time, mandatory investment in digital systems and the EU Green Deal’s push towards alternative-fuel vehicles are adding capital strain, particularly for smaller fleets. New regulatory requirements are also tightening operational flexibility, limiting how easily EU hauliers can redeploy assets into the UK market.

The RHA concludes. “Since 2004, trips by total foreign-registered powered vehicles have outnumbered trips by UK-registered powered vehicles… the resilience and resourcefulness of UK international hauliers may finally put them at a competitive advantage in 2026, as the playing field changes.”

A more balanced market

Taken together, these factors suggest a gradual rebalancing rather than a sudden shift. UK hauliers benefit from regulatory alignment at home, fewer border compliance risks and improving international volumes, while EU operators face cost inflation, labour shortages and tighter access conditions.

In 2026, competitiveness is likely to be defined not by scale alone, but by compliance readiness, operational certainty and cost control—areas where UK hauliers are increasingly well positioned to compete.

As regulatory change reshapes cross-border haulage and competitiveness shifts, execution and network design matter as much as cost. Metro supports shippers with compliant, reliable road freight solutions across the UK and Europe, combining local operational strength with cross-border expertise.

As part of GB Global, Metro also benefits from access to commercial vehicle fleets operating in both the UK and EU, allowing capacity to be deployed where it delivers the greatest reliability and value. This balanced model helps customers manage risk, maintain service continuity and adapt as market conditions evolve.

EMAIL managing director, Andrew Smith, to find out more about Metro’s road freight capabilities