Spain has significantly revised its requirements for the electronic Documento de Control Administrativo (DeCA), replacing the technical rules published in the Resolution of 22 May 2023 with a new Resolution published on 5 June 2026. The update addresses practical implementation challenges raised by the logistics industry and provides greater legal and technical clarity for companies preparing for mandatory digital transport documentation in Spain.
The new rules confirm that the DeCA (previously acronymized as “DCA”) for road freight transport must be fully digital from 05 October 2026, and that it continues to apply to all transport into and out of Spain.
What is new in the Resolution is a revised framework that introduces a more simplified and practical inspection model. The process that previously relied on web portal access is now based on QR codes and direct document access via secure URLs. DeCA documents must be generated as digital PDF files, linked to a unique URL, and accessible through a QR code that allows enforcement authorities to retrieve the document immediately during roadside inspections.
The Resolution also clarifies that, although electronic signatures are not required for the administrative validity of a DeCA, an advanced or qualified electronic signature are now required if the document also serves contractual purposes.
The changes reflect the concerns and recommendations put forward by industry stakeholders over recent months. The Open Logistics Foundation actively contributed to these discussions, with legal product owner Dr David Saive, LL.M. (Tug & Tow®) helping to highlight practical obstacles faced by companies operating across European borders. Among the issues raised were complex registration procedures and technical barriers that risked slowing digitalisation rather than accelerating it.
Watch Spotlight Session: Prepare for Spain’s digital DCA
The update also brings greater clarity regarding the relationship between DeCA, eCMR and the future eFTI framework. The Resolution confirms that other transport documents (such as eCMR) may be used as a DeCA, provided they contain all legally required information according to Art. 6 FOM/2861/2012. At the same time, no separate DeCA is required where transport information is provided through the eFTI framework under Regulation (EU) 2020/1056. This strengthens the case for interoperable digital transport documentation that can support both national and European requirements.
For companies already investing in digital freight documentation, the update confirms the strategic value of adopting standardised, interoperable solutions. The Open Logistics Foundation’s open source eCMR components continue to provide a strong foundation for meeting digital transport documentation requirements. Its data model covers the information required for the Spanish DeCA, helping organisations avoid isolated national solutions while preparing for broader European digitalisation initiatives such as eFTI.
Visit our dedicated DeCA page to learn how you can use OLF-eCMR to fulfil a Spanish DeCA.
