Franglais has summed it up basically , the fact is that Eastern European hauliers have dominated the European market for years due being cheaper .
Not many UK firms operate to Europe now , apart from specialist sectors like motorsport , Formula one , concerts and exhibitions along with international removals for the military and private customers .
But with Covid 19 , the specialist work has gone .
It is common for an EE operator based in EE but will use a Spanish or Portuguese registration on the fleet , this is flagging out to save money on safety inspections on the vehicles , cheaper taxes and lower wages for their drivers .
Even if you did get European work , it can be channel hopping , such as short trips to longer trips where you sleep in the cab for weeks on long distance .
You will take a 24 or 45 hour weekly rest where your hours run out , so forget making it home for the wedding anniversary , reservation for a meal out or theatre or the kids birthdays and the list is endless .( Pre-Covid .)
Irish firms still run to Europe , so fire off the Cv to them , there is better food in Europe and free lorry parking .
If you’re running on nights and sleeping in the day , you won’t sleep in 45 degree heat , unless in a hotel with air-conditioning , or run the engine for air con which is illegal in some countries .