Foreign-controlled multinational companies are playing a growing role in Europe’s transport and storage sector, employing 1.3 million people across the
EU in 2023, according to data from the EuroGroups register.
The figure marks a 30% increase compared with 2018 and represents 12% of total employment in the sector (NACE section H: transport and storage). The data highlights the expanding footprint of multinational enterprise (MNE) groups in a sector that is central to Europe’s internal market and cross-border trade.
EU and EFTA groups dominate
Roughly two-thirds of these 1.3 million transport workers were employed by enterprises controlled by MNE groups based in another European Union country or in the European Free Trade Association. The remaining one-third worked for companies controlled from outside both the EU and EFTA, underlining the sector’s global reach.
Germany, Poland and Spain lead in absolute numbers
In absolute terms, Germany recorded the highest number of people employed by foreign-controlled transport enterprises, with 191,000 workers. It was followed by Poland (167,000) and Spain (126,000).
These large economies combine extensive domestic transport networks with strong integration into European supply chains, making them attractive locations for multinational operators.
Small and open economies show highest dependence
When measured as a share of total transport employment, smaller and more open economies stood out. The highest proportions of foreign-controlled jobs were found in Sweden (37.5%), Luxembourg (33.4%) and Netherlands (25.9%).
By contrast, the lowest shares were reported in France (5.9%), Lithuania (6.4%) and Greece (6.7%), indicating a stronger presence of domestically controlled firms in those markets.
Who controls Europe’s transport jobs?
Looking at the countries where controlling companies are headquartered, Germany again topped the list. German-controlled MNE groups employed 232,000 people in transport enterprises located in other EU countries. They were followed by France (176,000) and the Netherlands (72,000).
A sector shaped by cross-border ownership
Overall, the figures point to a transport sector that is increasingly shaped by cross-border ownership and multinational strategies. As logistics, freight and mobility services become ever more integrated across Europe, foreign-controlled groups are likely to remain a key driver of employment growth in the years ahead. Photo by Axisadman, Wikimedia commons.