Regulations for light trailers in Europe: What you need to know for traveling between Spain, France, and Germany

Crossing the border with a trailer in tow may seem like a routine matter, but the reality is that each country has its own rules, and what is perfectly fine in Spain can become a problem as soon as you cross into France or Germany. There is no need to panic, but it is advisable to know what you might encounter before you set off.

We will review some key points of the regulations affecting light trailers (those with a Maximum Authorized Mass of up to 750 kg, which are the most common) in the three countries most frequently visited on European routes: Spain, France, and Germany.

The starting point: Common European regulations

Before going into the details of each country, there is a common basis that applies throughout the European Union. Regulation (EU) 2018/858 establishes the type-approval requirements for trailers, although traffic aspects (speed limits, documentation, ITV) remain the responsibility of each member state. This means that a trailer type-approved and registered in Spain can legally circulate through France and Germany without any additional procedure, provided it meets community technical requirements and you respect local traffic rules.

So, first and foremost: if your trailer is correctly type-approved in Spain, you have already done most of the work.

Here is a small note: a Spanish trailer can circulate through France temporarily, but if you are going to reside there or the trailer is going to be based there for any reason, you must register it in the destination country. European type-approval facilitates this process (as you do not need new technical inspections), but the administrative procedure is mandatory.

Spain

In Spain, basic regulations for light trailers are mainly collected in the Real Decreto 2822/1998 (General Vehicle Regulations) and in the aforementioned General Traffic Regulations. The most relevant daily aspects are:

• Trailers with a MAM of up to 750 kg do not need their own registration if towed by a vehicle with a MAM of up to 3,500 kg, although they must carry a repeater plate of the towing vehicle's registration.
• They do not require independent insurance (though you must notify your car insurance provider) or their own vehicle registration document.
• The maximum speed on motorways and dual carriageways with a trailer is 90 km/h, and 80 km/h on conventional roads.
• Lighting: A complete type-approved kit and, very importantly, the red triangular retro-reflector (exclusive to trailers) are mandatory.
• ITV is not mandatory for trailers with less than 750 kg MAM.
• Specifically for motorcycles: the trailer cannot exceed 50% of the motorcycle's unladen mass, it can only be driven during the day and in good weather conditions (when visibility is not reduced), and the speed must be 10% lower than the generic limit of the road (example: if on a conventional road the limit is 90 km/h for the motorcycle, with a trailer it would be 81 km/h).

France

Crossing into France is straightforward from a documentary point of view. Trailers type-approved in the EU are recognized directly, and the regulations for light trailers are quite similar to the Spanish ones in structure. But there is a very common error that should be avoided: assuming that speed limits are similar to the Spanish ones. They are not, and this is where most people get a surprise.

The regulations are more permissive than many people believe, although it depends on a specific piece of data that is worth knowing: the PTRA (Total Authorized Rolling Weight), which is the maximum mass of the tractor unit plus the trailer according to the technical data sheets of both:

• If the combination has a PTRA equal to or less than 3,500 kg, the limits are the same as for a passenger car: 130 km/h on motorways (110 km/h in rain) and 80 km/h on conventional roads. For most drivers with a normal car and a 750 kg light trailer, this is the case.
• If the combination exceeds 3,500 kg of PTRA, the limit drops to 90 km/h on motorways and 80 km/h on roads.

To know what situation you are in, look at the technical data sheet of your towing vehicle for field F.3 (Maximum Combination Mass). If this value is equal to or less than 3,500 kg, you can circulate at 130 km/h on French motorways with full legality. If you do not find the F.3 value, add the MAM of your vehicle (field F.2) plus the MAM of your trailer; if the result does not exceed 3,500 kg, you are in the same legal situation.

The rest of the points to keep in mind:

• Check with your insurance company that the insurance covers the use of the trailer abroad before leaving. It is a quick procedure and avoids unnecessary problems.
• A curious detail: in France, trailers with a MAM greater than 500 kg must be registered independently and carry their own plate. Below that weight, the repeater plate of the towing vehicle is accepted. However, as a tourist, if your trailer is Spanish and legal in Spain (with its repeater plate if it weighs less than 750 kg), you can circulate without problems. You do not need to register it there for a trip.
• It is mandatory to carry a reflective vest accessible from the cabin (not in the trunk) and a warning triangle.

Germany

Germany has a reputation for being very strict regarding traffic, and in this case, there are two specific points that generate quite a bit of confusion and are worth knowing well before crossing the border.

About speed:

• The general limit with a trailer on the Autobahn is 80 km/h. It is possible to circulate at 100 km/h through an authorization called Zulassung Tempo 100, but it is a German administrative procedure that requires ABS in the towing vehicle and that the trailer meets a very specific weight ratio. For a Spanish tourist on a one-off trip, obtaining this authorization is not viable. It is prudent to circulate at 80 km/h.
• On conventional roads, the limit is also 80 km/h.

• Unlike Spain, in Germany all trailers must pass the ITV (the German equivalent is called Hauptuntersuchung or HU) every two years, including trailers of less than 750 kg. The only exception is certain trailers for agricultural use. All this is true for vehicles registered in Germany, but it does not affect you as a Spanish tourist. According to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, a vehicle in international circulation must comply with the inspection requirements of its country of origin. If your trailer is Spanish and has less than 750 kg, it does not have a mandatory periodic ITV in Spain, and the German police cannot demand a German inspection. What you must always carry is the Spanish technical data sheet of the trailer.

• It is mandatory to carry a first aid kit and reflective vest in the vehicle. The warning triangle is also mandatory.
• If the trailer has its own braking system, it must be in perfect condition. In light trailers without brakes (the most common below 750 kg), this does not apply, but it is worth knowing if your trailer is close to that limit.

Documentation you should always carry

Regardless of the country you are driving through, there are a series of documents that it is advisable to always have on hand:

• Registration certificate of the towing vehicle.
• Registration certificate of the trailer (if applicable according to its mass).
• ITV documentation of the towing vehicle, and of the trailer if it corresponds according to the destination country.
• Insurance that explicitly covers the use of the trailer and circulation in the destination countries.
• Valid driver's license.
• About the 'E' sticker: if your license plate has the blue euro-strip with the E incorporated, it is already sufficient in all EU countries. You would only need the additional adhesive sticker if you travel outside the European Union or if your car does not have the license plate with the blue strip.
• If you travel with a motorcycle and a trailer type-approved for motorcycles, such as the folding trailer from LittleWay Team, also carry the technical documentation of the hitch. In some checks, they may ask for it.

A practical tip before leaving

Regulations change, and although this information is current as of March 2026, it is always a good idea to confirm with your insurance company that your policy covers the use of the trailer in the countries you will visit.

Traveling through Europe with a trailer is perfectly viable. If you want a trailer that won't complicate your life at the border (type-approved, with all documentation in order, and designed for motorcycles), the folding trailer from LittleWay Team is an option worth considering before planning your next route.