The International Road Transport Union (IRU) has welcomed the adoption of the EU Talent Pool as a step towards addressing labour shortages, including in road transport, but stresses that it must be accompanied by concrete measures to deliver results.
Across the EU, the road transport sector is facing a critical shortage of around 500,000 professional drivers, with the gap expected to widen further in the coming years. An ageing workforce and limited inflow of young drivers are increasing pressure on operators, making access to international talent an essential part of the solution.
The EU has now formally adopted new rules establishing the EU Talent Pool, an EU-wide platform designed to facilitate the recruitment of third-country jobseekers in sectors facing labour shortages. IRU welcomes the inclusion of professional drivers and mechanics among the recognised shortage occupations, reflecting the reality on the ground across the bloc.
IRU EU Director Raluca Marian said, “The inclusion of professional drivers and mechanics in the EU Talent Pool is an important step forward. It recognises the scale of workforce shortages affecting the commercial road transport sector.
“But a matching platform alone will not put drivers behind the wheel. To make this work in practice, we need faster and more predictable procedures, harmonised recognition of qualifications, and clear pathways into the profession.”
The EU Talent Pool will connect employers with jobseekers from outside the EU through a centralised platform, with participating Member States setting up National Contact Points to publish vacancies and provide information on recruitment conditions, immigration procedures and workers’ rights. The platform will be free of charge for both employers and jobseekers, offering a practical entry point for operators, particularly helpful for small and medium-sized enterprises.
However, participation in the system will be voluntary for Member States, and registration or matching through the platform will not guarantee the delivery of work or residence permits, which remain subject to national procedures.
Without a coherent framework beyond the platform, its impact will remain limited. Today, operators continue to face fragmented national rules on permits and qualification recognition, slowing down recruitment and reducing predictability. A consistent EU approach to recognising driving licences and certificates of professional competence, supported by streamlined national procedures, remains essential to ensure that international recruitment can function at scale.
IRU will continue working with EU institutions and industry partners to advance practical, sector-specific solutions that help close the driver gap and support the smooth functioning of the EU’s road transport system.
