EU Court Advocate Rules Austrian Brenner Truck Limits Violate EU Law

General Advocate of the EU Court, Manuel Campos Sánchez‑Bordona, issued an opinion in case C‑524/24 that Austria’s night‑time, winter‑time and sectoral bans on heavy‑truck traffic on the Inntal (A12) and Brenner (A13) motorways breach EU law. The opinion finds the bans disproportionate, ineffective at shifting traffic, and discriminatory, while confirming that the quota system limiting trucks to 300 per hour (block processing) complies with EU rules.

Italy brought the case, arguing that the restrictions impede the free movement of goods along the Brenner corridor, a key north‑south route for trade between Italy, Germany and other northern European markets. Austria defends the measures as necessary for environmental protection, public health and road safety. Traffic data show a continued rise on the corridor, with 6.57 million vehicles recorded in the first half‑year and a 3.6 % increase in trucks.

The Advocate’s conclusions are not binding, but the Court is expected to deliver a judgment in the autumn, with the decision likely influencing future EU transport policy and cross‑border logistics.