The European Parliament has moved to accelerate the movement of troops and military equipment across the European Union, approving a sweeping set of military mobility
measures designed to bolster the bloc's defence preparedness amid growing security concerns triggered by Russia's war against Ukraine.
On Tuesday, the European Parliament's Transport and Tourism Committee and Security and Defence Committee endorsed their negotiating position on the proposed legislation by 49 votes to nine, with four abstentions. The reforms aim to streamline the transport of military personnel, equipment and supplies across EU borders, reducing administrative delays and improving infrastructure resilience.
A central element of the proposal is the creation of a secure digital platform to coordinate military transport authorisations, customs procedures and traffic management among member states. MEPs want the system operational by 2027—three years earlier than originally proposed by the European Commission—and interoperable with NATO systems.
Under the plan, standing military transport permits would have to be issued within one month, while urgent requests would be processed within two working days. Member states would also be required to appoint dedicated military mobility coordinators and participate in a new EU military mobility transport group.
The legislation places significant emphasis on upgrading critical dual-use infrastructure, including roads, bridges, tunnels, railways, ports and airports, to ensure they can support military movements during crises. MEPs are calling for both EU and national funding commitments, alongside a clear investment timetable from the Commission.
To address logistical shortfalls, lawmakers also propose establishing a "solidarity pool" within six months of the regulation entering into force. The mechanism would allow EU countries to share transport and logistical assets, including vehicles, personnel, medical units, ships and rail capacity. The pool would also be open to non-EU NATO allies, as well as Ukraine and Moldova.
Recognising that existing transport systems may struggle during large-scale emergencies, MEPs backed the creation of a European Military Mobility Enhanced Response System (EMERS). The emergency mechanism would enable temporary measures to guarantee priority military transport across the EU during crises while seeking to minimise disruption to civilian traffic.
If activated by the Council following a Commission proposal, EMERS would enter into force within 48 hours and remain active for up to 12 months. During that period, armed forces would receive priority access to transport infrastructure. Infrastructure operators affected by the measures could receive compensation for demonstrable losses or additional costs.
The proposal would also temporarily suspend certain transport restrictions affecting military movements, including cabotage rules and some limits on driving times and rest periods, while maintaining safeguards for worker welfare and transport safety.
Lawmakers stressed the need for close coordination with NATO, arguing that EU and Alliance initiatives must complement each other to ensure the rapid movement of allied forces during peace, crisis and conflict. Particular attention was given to cooperation with Ukraine and Moldova.
Transport and Tourism Committee rapporteur Roberts Zīle (ECR, Latvia) said the measures would improve the EU's ability to respond to emerging security threats and rapidly deploy assistance where needed. He noted that Parliament had met its legislative timetable and was ready to begin negotiations with member states in July.
The two committees also voted, by 52 votes to six with four abstentions, to open negotiations with the Council on the final text of the legislation, pending formal approval by Parliament's plenary session in July 2026.