Regular Services to the EU – does not include services to the UK

Background regulation

As of 4th December 2011 the international carriage of passengers by coach and bus between EU Member States is governed by Regulation (EC) No 1073/2009.

This is conditional on the possession of a Community licence. Any road passenger transport operator possessing a valid Community licence, issued by the Member State of establishment, has free access to the whole international EU road transport market.

In the Republic of Ireland these are issued by the Department of Transport, please see www.rtol.ie for further information.

Carriers are required to carry a certified true copy of the Community licence on board each of their vehicles. This is in order to facilitate effective controls by enforcement authorities, especially those outside the Member State in which the carrier is established.

The Regulation defines the different types of coach and bus service, and the specific requirements they must fulfil to access the market.

Regular Services in the EU

  • These require an EU Authorisation, issued by a competent authority.
  • Authorisations are issued by the National Transport Authority. If your service crosses a border as part of a scheduled service, you may require an EU Authorisation.
  • If you are unsure if the service that you wish to provide requires EU Authorisation, please contact the Authority by email to info@nationaltransport.ie
  • Please see below for further details on how to complete an application for an International Authorisation.

Special Regular Services and Occasional Services in the EU

  • These services require a Journey Form.
  • Journey Forms are available from the National Transport Authority.
  • Please see Occasional Services to the EU for further details.

Own-account Transport Services in the EU

  • These are exempt from the authorisation system.
  • They require a certificate issued by the Member State, in which the vehicle is registered.
  • In the Republic of Ireland these certificates are issued by the Department of Transport.

Apply for an EU Authorisation

Please note that all applications for an EU Authorisation must be forwarded to all other jurisdictions for approval.

To make a complete and valid application for an EU Authorisation you must supply the following:

  • A completed application form (between EU Member States), signed and dated
  • The appropriate fees
  • Timetable
  • Drivers rota
  • Fare structure, please note that fares must be given in Euros and the currency for all other countries
  • Copy of Valid Community Licence
  • Copy of Valid Tax Clearance Certificate
  • A complete map of the proposed route, and maps clearly showing each individual stop

If the proposed EU Authorisation includes pick-up and set down of passengers solely within the Republic of Ireland, a National Licence may be required in addition to the Authorisation.

Fees for new application:

  • €35.55 (to be submitted with new application)

Outstanding fees required for issue of an EU Authorisation (i.e. not at application stage):

  • €10.16 – grant of Authorisation
  • €16.51 per year of validity (maximum five years = €82.55)
  • €2.54 per Certified True Copy required. A Certified True Copy must be carried on board each vehicle

Please note that all applications for an EU Authorisation must be forwarded to all other jurisdictions for approval.

Apply for a variation to an EU Authorisation

An application to amend an Authorisation is required to change any of the following:

  • The route
  • Stopping places
  • Timings at stopping places
  • Any part of the timetable
  • Operational dates
  • Operational days
  • Fares

To make a complete and valid application for a variation to an existing EU Authorisation you must supply the following:

  • A completed application form (between EU Member States), signed and dated.
  • The appropriate fees (please see fee structure below).
  • Drivers rota.
  • Fare structure – fares must be given in Euros and currency for all other countries.
  • Copy of Valid Community Licence.
  • Copy of Valid Tax Clearance Certificate.
  • A complete map of the proposed route (if a change is proposed).
  • Maps clearly showing each individual stop (if a change is proposed).

If your proposed variation to an existing EU Authorisation includes pick-up and set down of passengers solely within the Republic of Ireland, a National Licence may be required in addition to the Authorisation.

Fees for Authorisation Variation Application (Authorisation amendment):

  • €16.51 application fee – to be submitted with variation application.
  • €2.54 per Certified True Copy required – a Certified True Copy must be carried on board each vehicle (only to be paid once the variation has been approved, i.e. not at application stage).