Spain has emerged as the most dynamic of Europe’s major road freight markets, setting the pace for growth and signaling an even brighter outlook ahead. Expanding faster than its neighbors, increasing its market share and projected to rise to third place in the European ranking by 2029, Spain is reshaping the continental balance. These insights come from European Road Freight Transport 2025, a report by Transport Intelligence that maps out the new logistics order.
The sector’s reconfiguration mirrors the wider European economy, still finding its rhythm after years of stagnation. Road freight operators are navigating a demanding mix of challenges: inflation, rising operating costs, driver shortages, geopolitical tensions and mounting environmental requirements. Against this backdrop, Spain stands at the threshold of a unique opportunity to strengthen its role on the European logistics stage.
Five forces reshaping competitiveness in European road transport
Europe’s road freight sector is recovering, but the landscape it faces today is far tougher than before the pandemic. Growth has returned, albeit at a measured pace, and the industry is operating under pressures that weigh on profitability as well as companies’ ability to reinvest. Within this context, five defining forces help explain what is truly at stake for the competitiveness of European transport.
1. Operating costs keep rising
The cost of moving goods by road continues to climb. Emission-related tolls, fuel, insurance and rising wages – driven by the shortage of drivers – are pushing structural expenses higher. This pressure erodes margins and forces operators to pass part of the bill on to their customers, making the entire supply chain more expensive.
2. Driver shortage deepens
The lack of professional drivers has become an increasingly structural problem. An aging workforce, limited inflow of younger talent and unattractive working conditions have turned international recruitment into an almost unavoidable solution. The result is mounting pressure on labor costs and a looming threat to the sector’s ability to meet demand in the coming years.
3. Sustainability advances more slowly than expected
Cutting the environmental footprint of transport is both a regulatory and social priority, yet the energy transition is colliding with economic reality. HVO has consolidated its place as a quick fix and electric vehicles are starting to prove viable in specific segments. But mass adoption will depend on narrowing the cost gap with diesel and the rollout of a reliable charging infrastructure.
4. Technology spreads at two speeds
Digitalization and artificial intelligence have the potential to transform efficiency, planning and traceability. Yet implementation is uneven: large groups are moving quickly, while many SMEs lack the resources to make the leap. This digital divide is widening the gap between operators and risks fragmenting the European market even further.
5. Fewer players, greater risks
In line with the previous point, acquisitions of start-ups by large operators are accelerating technology adoption but concentrating innovation in fewer hands and reducing the diversity of solutions. At the same time, limited transparency and the slow rollout of the e-CMR are hampering efforts to manage basic risks such as non-payment, fraud or theft in a sector that is increasingly interconnected and reliant on subcontracting chains.
Spain’s road freight market emerges as a driver for Europe
Amid a European landscape defined by uncertainty and cost pressures, Spain has managed to move against the tide. In 2024, its road transport market reached €41.18 billion, standing out as the only major economy to achieve growth while Germany and Italy contracted. This resilience is explained by solid domestic demand, the strength of tourism and agriculture and the boost provided by European funds, which acted as a cushion in a moment of continental economic fragility.
Forecasts from Transport Intelligence further reinforce this momentum. Spain is not only expected to grow above the European average in the coming years but also to overtake France by 2029, consolidating its position as the third-largest market in Europe, behind only Germany and the United Kingdom. What stands out is not just the increase in volume but the fact that Spain will contribute a significant share of Europe’s overall growth – cementing its role as a true engine of road freight across the continent.
For Andreu Gutiérrez, Country Sales Director Road at Rhenus Group in Spain, this scenario reflects a collective achievement. “Spain’s leadership in road transport is not an isolated success of the logistics sector but the outcome of the strong performance of the entire economy and its business fabric. Greater competitiveness in transport is ultimately an advantage for all Spanish companies, as a more efficient and resilient system will enable them to compete more effectively with their European peers,” he stresses.
The report’s traffic-type analysis highlights the unique profile of the Spanish market and confirms the strength of its domestic segment. Freight flows beginning and ending within Spain have been the growth engine in recent years, driven by private consumption and investment. However, it will be international traffic that defines the next cycle: after a weak 2024, it is expected to accelerate strongly through 2029, outpacing even domestic growth. According to Gutiérrez, “Spain starts from a very favorable position and will play a more prominent role in European road transport. The challenge now is to consolidate this momentum and turn it into a strategic lever that drives not only the logistics sector but the wider economy”.
The future of road transport in Spain opens a window of opportunity for companies able to anticipate change. At Rhenus, we work hand in hand with our customers to turn these challenges into competitive advantages. If you would like to learn how we can help optimize your supply chain and design the solution best suited to your needs, get in touch with our team.