Summer Truck Driving Bans 2026 in Poland, Italy, Croatia, Greece and Slovenia

The summer season in international transport means not only increased traffic on the roads but also additional restrictions for heavy goods vehicles. Many European countries introduce seasonal truck driving bans during the holiday period, which can significantly affect route planning, delivery schedules and drivers' working time.

The biggest challenges usually occur on tourist routes, especially in Southern Europe. This is where holiday traffic reaches its peak and truck restrictions tend to be more extensive than during the rest of the year.

In practice, this means not only downtime caused by the bans themselves. Border congestion, limited parking availability and longer transit times on major transport corridors also need to be taken into account.

Below, we have compiled the most important information about summer truck driving bans in Poland, Italy, Croatia, Greece and Slovenia.

Poland

In Poland, summer driving bans apply to vehicles and vehicle combinations with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 12 tonnes.

In 2026, the restrictions will apply from 26 June to 31 August:

• Fridays: 18:00-22:00
• Saturdays: 08:00-14:00
• Sundays: 08:00-22:00

Additional restrictions also apply on:

• 14 August: 18:00-22:00
• 15 August: 08:00-22:00

The bans cover the entire national road network, except for vehicles performing specific types of transport exempted by law.

In practice, the biggest disruptions occur:

• on the A1 motorway,
• on routes leading to the Baltic coast,
• towards Zakopane and the southern border,
• around major motorway junctions.

Italy

In Italy, driving bans apply to vehicles with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes and cover the entire national road network.

In 2026, restrictions on Sundays and public holidays apply as follows:

• June to September: 07:00-22:00
• October to May: 09:00-22:00

Additional summer restrictions also apply:

• July to September: Saturdays 08:00-16:00
• August: Saturdays 08:00-22:00

Italian driving bans are defined through a detailed annual calendar specifying exact dates and times. For this reason, carriers should always verify the schedule for a specific transport date, especially during July and August.

The most affected routes include:

• the A22 Brenner motorway,
• the Milan area,
• routes leading to Venice,
• Adriatic coastal routes,
• ports and ferry terminals.

Croatia

In Croatia, summer driving bans apply from 15 June to 15 September 2026 for vehicles with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes.

Restrictions apply:

• Saturdays: 04:00-14:00
• Sundays: 12:00-23:00
• Public holiday eves: 15:00-23:00
• Public holidays: 14:00-23:00

The restrictions apply to selected roads leading to tourist regions and the Adriatic coast, including:

• A1 Zagreb - Split - Ploče motorway,
• A6 Rijeka - Zagreb motorway,
• routes towards Istria,
• roads leading to the Adriatic coast.

The biggest disruptions usually occur:

• at the Slovenian-Croatian border,
• around Rijeka,
• during weekend holiday changeovers.

In practice, traffic congestion often starts building up even before the restrictions come into force, especially on Saturday mornings.

Greece

In 2026, Greece introduces summer restrictions for heavy goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes.

Thessaloniki Inner Ring Road

From 13 June to 6 September 2026:

• Saturdays: 08:00-16:00
• Sundays: 10:00-22:00

The restriction applies between the Lachanagora interchange and K13 interchange (St. Paul's Hospital) in both directions.

EO18 Preveza - Igoumenitsa National Road

From 13 June to 6 September 2026:

• Saturdays and Sundays: 08:00-22:00

The restriction applies between the Aktio Tunnel in Preveza and Igoumenitsa.

Ioannina - Arta - Antirio National Road

From 1 July to 31 August 2026:

• Fridays: 15:00-22:00
• Saturdays and Sundays: 08:00-22:00

The restriction applies between km 14 and km 39.4.

Thessaloniki - Kavala Road

From 1 July to 31 August 2026:

• Fridays: 15:00-22:00
• Saturdays and Sundays: 08:00-22:00

On 14 and 16 August 2026, the Friday and Sunday restrictions do not apply.

The biggest disruptions usually occur:

• near ports,
• on routes leading to holiday resorts,
• around ferry crossings,
• during weekend tourist traffic peaks.

Slovenia

In Slovenia, driving bans apply to vehicles with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes and are in force from 27 June to 6 September 2026:

• Saturdays: 08:00-13:00
• Sundays and public holidays: 08:00-22:00
  

The restrictions apply to selected routes.

Additional restrictions apply on major transit and tourist routes from the last weekend of June until the first weekend of September 2026:

• Saturdays: 06:00-16:00
• Sundays, public holidays and non-working days: 08:00-22:00

This includes, among others:

• A1-E61/E70 Ljubljana - Koper,
• A3-E70 Divača (Gabrk) - Fernetiči (Fernetti),
• H5-E751 Škofije - Koper,
• G1-11 Koper - Dragonja,
• G1-6 Postojna - Jelšane.
  

The biggest disruptions usually occur:

• at the Croatian border,
• on routes leading to the Adriatic coast,
• around Ljubljana,
• during holiday changeover weekends.

In practice, this often results in long traffic jams and extended waiting times before reaching the Croatian border.

What Should You Consider When Planning Routes During Summer?

During the summer season, the restriction hours themselves are only part of the challenge. Other important factors include:

• limited parking availability,
• border congestion,
• longer waiting and inspection times,
• increased tourist traffic,
• disruptions around ferry terminals and ports,
• traffic jams forming before restrictions begin.
  

In practice, even a few hours' difference in departure or loading times can determine whether a shipment arrives on schedule.

That is why proper route planning and taking local restrictions into account are particularly important during the holiday season.

In the next part of this series, we will take a closer look at summer truck driving bans in Germany, the Czech Republic, Romania, Austria, France and Slovakia.

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This article is for informational purposes only. Before planning transport operations, always verify current restrictions, local traffic announcements and official driving ban schedules applicable to your specific route and travel date.