The general speed limit for cars on urban roads is effectively harmonised at 50 km/h throughout the EU. On inter-urban roads the ranges of general limits for cars are as follows.

Inside urban areas	50 km/h (except Slovakia, Poland)
Outside urban areas	65 - 100 km/h
Motorways	100 - 130 km/h (except Germany)

On motorways and rural roads, maximum speed limits lower than those for cars generally apply to cars with trailers, coaches and buses, and limits for the last two are being harmonised. In built-up areas, however, speed limits for these types of vehicles are identical to those for cars.

Some countries also have specific speed limits depending on weather conditions (France) or seasons (Finland).

The TIS.pt study presents the situation in the Member States as of July 2003.