General Traffic Restrictions in Europe: January 2026

January 2026 presents a challenging month on European roads — not only due to holiday HGV driving bans, but also exceptionally difficult winter weather conditions that may cause serious disruptions to both local and international transport from the very start of the year. The following information is relevant to truck and HGV drivers and logistics managers.

HGV Driving Bans — January 2026

Additional holiday bans in January apply only on New Year’s Day and Epiphany. All other days follow standard weekend, nighttime, or territorial restrictions depending on the country.

January 1 — New Year’s Day (Thursday)

• 🇦🇹 Austria — 00:00–22:00 — Vehicles with trailers over 3.5t; heavy vehicles and combinations over 7.5t
• 🇭🇷 Croatia — 14:00–23:00 — Vehicles over 7.5t or longer than 14m
• 🇨🇿 Czech Republic — 13:00–22:00 — Trucks and combinations over 7.5t
• 🇫🇷 France — 00:00–22:00 — Vehicles over 7.5t
• 🇱🇺 Luxembourg — 00:00–21:45 — All trucks over 7.5t with or without trailer
• 🇩🇪 Germany — 00:00–22:00 — Trucks over 7.5t and trucks with trailers
• 🇵🇱 Poland — 08:00–22:00 — Trucks over 12t
• 🇸🇰 Slovakia — 00:00–22:00 — All trucks and combinations over 7.5t
• 🇸🇮 Slovenia — 08:00–22:00 — Vehicles over 7.5t
• 🇨🇭 Switzerland — 00:00–24:00 — Vehicles over 3.5t
• 🇭🇺 Hungary — 00:00–22:00 — Trucks and tractors with trailers over 7.5t
• 🇮🇹 Italy — 09:00–22:00 — Heavy vehicles and combinations over 7.5t

January 2 (Friday)

• 🇸🇮 Slovenia — 08:00–22:00

January 6 — Epiphany (Tuesday)

• 🇦🇹 Austria — 00:00–22:00
• 🇭🇷 Croatia — 14:00–23:00
• 🇸🇰 Slovakia — 00:00–22:00
• 🇮🇹 Italy — 09:00–22:00

Winter Conditions — Storms and Major Disruptions

Beyond formal bans, early January 2026 may see severe winter storms across Europe. Meteorologists projected one of the most intense snowfall episodes in recent years.

🇵🇱 Poland — Storm Epicenter

• Dec 29–30: Northern Poland (Warmia-Masuria voivodeship)
• Dec 31: Snow covers almost the entire country; congestion and paralysis expected
• Jan 1: Heavy blizzards in West Pomerania, Pomerania, and Warmia-Masuria
• Jan 2: Another intense wave affecting international routes
• Jan 4: Very heavy precipitation in Lower Silesia, particularly on routes toward Germany and Czech Republic

Persistent sub-zero temperatures mean snow will not thaw. Roads will frequently be icy, significantly increasing accident and delay risk.

Rest of Europe

• Eastern France, Central Italy, parts of Spain — snow and storm risk
• Norway, Sweden, Finland — severe storms already recorded; strong winds causing significant disruptions

What This Means for Carriers

Route planning becomes critical. Both holiday bans and weather risks must be factored in simultaneously — a route that is legally permitted may still be operationally unsafe or severely delayed.

Extended standstill periods are likely, particularly around the New Year week. Drivers should be prepared for extended rest stops and operators should build buffer time into delivery commitments.

Real-time traffic and weather monitoring is strongly recommended, especially when crossing Poland and Central Europe. FleetIntel.ai continues to monitor the situation and will report on significant developments affecting HGV traffic across Europe.