Mandatory Digital Transport Documents Coming to Spain (Q4 2026)
The Spanish Sustainable Mobility Law (Ley de Movilidad Sostenible) marks a fundamental shift in the way transport and logistics are organised and regulated. The law establishes a coherent framework to make mobility low-carbon, safe and digital, combining regulation, public investment, subsidies and the mandatory digitalisation of core administrative processes.
A key element is the introduction of the Documento de Control Administrativo (DCA) as a mandatory digital control document for road freight transport. With this measure, Spain becomes the first EU country to legally require digital transport documentation for government inspections. e-CMR is explicitly recognized as a valid and future-proof option. This creates an immediate and mandatory market demand for digital document solutions within transport and logistics.
On 8 October, the law was adopted by the Spanish Parliament and is currently under consideration by the Senate. Although the Senate is expected to vote against the bill, this does not have a blocking effect, as Parliament can override a Senate veto. Our assessment is therefore that the law will proceed largely unchanged with respect to the implementation of the DCA.
What this means for the market:
👉 Digital transport documents will become the standard during inspections
👉 The introduction of the DCA is expected between October and December 2026
👉 Delays are possible, but cancellation is not
For the sector, this sets a clear direction: digitalisation is shifting from an efficiency choice to a legal requirement. Organisations that begin implementing digital transport documentation now will be compliant in time, reduce operational risk, and gain a competitive advantage with customers and regulators.
In short, this is not a hypothetical development, but a structural market change with a clear and near-term deadline. Successful players anticipate this now — not when enforcement begins.
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