Short answer. You can host a Euro Truck Simulator 2 server yourself for free: install the "Euro Truck Simulator 2 Dedicated Server" tool (Steam app 1948160) with SteamCMD using an anonymous login, export server_packages.sii and server_packages.dat from your own game, and open the two ports set in server_config.sii (27015 for the connection and 27016 for the query in SCS's example) for TCP and UDP. Or rent a Euro Truck Simulator 2 server and skip the networking.

Drivers join by searching for the session in the in-game server browser. SCS's wiki gives the limit as 8 players.

Checked on 5 November 2026, against Euro Truck Simulator 2 1.61 (stable release of 17 September 2026). A 1.62 open beta has been out since 22 October 2026.

This guide uses SCS Software's own Dedicated Server page on the SCS Modding Wiki and what we run on our own Euro Truck Simulator 2 servers. To go straight to the rental route, see Option 2.

What you need

The server software: "Euro Truck Simulator 2 Dedicated Server", Steam app 1948160. It is free, and the wiki says game ownership is not required to run it.
A machine that stays on: a spare PC, a home server or a cloud virtual machine. This guide uses 64-bit Linux, which is what we run. The server also has a Windows build.
The game on your own PC: the server never holds mods or DLC. You export a package list from a copy of Euro Truck Simulator 2 with your mods and map DLC switched on, so you need the game for that step.
Network: the server uses two physical ports, connection_dedicated_port and query_dedicated_port (27015 and 27016 in the wiki's example config), and the wiki asks for both TCP and UDP rules when you forward them. The virtual ports (100 and 101 in the example) do not need forwarding.
A Steam game server login token (optional): without one the server uses an anonymous account and gets a non-persistent server ID, the ID drivers use for direct search. A token gives it a persistent one. Ownership of the game is required to make one, and the wiki says to make it with the game's app ID (227300), not the server's.
Hardware: SCS's Dedicated Server page lists no hardware requirements.

The server software is free. You pay for the machine, power and bandwidth, not the software.

Option 1: host it yourself

This works on a spare PC, a home server or a cloud virtual machine. The SteamCMD steps come from Valve's SteamCMD page and the server steps from the SCS wiki.

Linux (Debian or Ubuntu)

Install the library SteamCMD needs.
```
sudo apt-get install lib32gcc-s1
```
Create a steam user. Valve warns against running SteamCMD as root.
```
sudo useradd -m steam
sudo passwd steam
sudo -iu steam
```

Install SteamCMD as that user.

mkdir ~/Steam && cd ~/Steam
curl -sqL "https://client-update.steamstatic.com/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz" | tar zxvf -

Download the server.
```
~/Steam/steamcmd.sh +quit
~/Steam/steamcmd.sh +force_install_dir /home/steam/ets2-server +login anonymous +app_update 1948160 validate +quit
```
The first line lets a fresh SteamCMD update itself before the real download. SteamCMD downloads can fail without an obvious error, so check that /home/steam/ets2-server/steamapps/appmanifest_1948160.acf exists. If it does not, run the download again. The wiki also warns that SteamCMD does not update the server for you: run the same command again after a game patch.
Give the server the Steam library it asks for. The wiki says a Linux server that prints an error beginning [S_API FAIL] SteamAPI_Init() failed needs steamclient.so. Use the server_launch.sh script next to the executable, or link the library:
```
mkdir -p ~/.steam/sdk64
ln -sf ~/Steam/linux64/steamclient.so ~/.steam/sdk64/steamclient.so
```
The wiki's own example link starts from its steamcmd folder, so adjust the first path to wherever your SteamCMD put linux64/steamclient.so.
Start the server once to create its files.
```
cd /home/steam/ets2-server
./bin/linux_x64/eurotrucks2_server
```
The first start creates the server home folder (by default the game user path, which SCS gives as ~/.local/share/Euro Truck Simulator 2/ on Linux) with a default server_config.sii and server.log.txt. It then reports [MP] Error: Server packages file not found, because the server cannot start without the package files. That is expected: you supply it in the next step.
Export the package pair from your own game. On your PC, set g_console to 1 in the game's config.cfg, start Euro Truck Simulator 2 with the mods and DLC you want, load the map, press ~ and run:
```
export_server_packages
```
The game writes server_packages.sii and server_packages.dat into its home folder (Documents\Euro Truck Simulator 2 on Windows). They describe your mod and DLC setup and are not linked to your account. Copy both into the server home folder from the previous step.
Edit server_config.sii in that folder. Keep the file's SiiNunit wrapper and change the values inside it. Keys most people change:
```
lobby_name: "My convoy"
password: ""
max_players: 8
connection_dedicated_port: 27015
query_dedicated_port: 27016
server_logon_token: ""
```
lobby_name, description and password are limited to 63 characters, and the wiki says the player limit is 8.
Open the ports. Allow 27015 and 27016 for TCP and UDP on the machine's firewall (with ufw: sudo ufw allow 27015 and sudo ufw allow 27016 open both protocols), then forward both on your router to this machine.
Start the server again with ./bin/linux_x64/eurotrucks2_server. Check server.log.txt in the server home folder. If it crashes, look for server.crash.txt in the same place. Stop the server with Ctrl+C.

Windows

Install the "Euro Truck Simulator 2 Dedicated Server" tool from your Steam library (tools are hidden by default, so change the library filter), or run the SteamCMD command above with +login anonymous and a Windows install folder.
Start the server executable once, then export the package pair and edit server_config.sii as in the Linux steps 6 to 8. The wiki's -homedir start option moves the server home folder on Windows.
Allow ports 27015 and 27016 for TCP and UDP inbound in Windows Firewall and forward both on your router.

How drivers find a self-hosted server

Direct search: the server prints a search ID when it starts. Drivers type it into the search field of the in-game server browser. The wiki says direct search works even for a server behind NAT.
Public session list: the dedicated server does not do NAT punching, so it needs a public IP or forwarded ports to show in the session browser.
Moderators: the server has no interface, so list Steam IDs in moderator_list in server_config.sii. Moderators can use /set_time, /set_rain_factor and /help in chat.

Option 2: host it on PlayNHost

Renting removes the firewall, port forwarding and update routine. The ports and the config file are set up for you.

Pick a plan. Open the Euro Truck Simulator 2 server hosting page. At the time of writing there is one plan, CONVOY, for 8 players. Press Customize Plan on it and finish the order. Prices change, so check them on that page.
Wait for the install. You get a "server ready" email and the server appears at panel.playnhost.com. On the Console tab, the panel counts the server as running when it prints [MP] State: running.
Open Settings, then Game Settings. Two fields matter here:
- Lobby name: the session name drivers see in the server browser. SCS limits it to 63 characters.
- Steam Auth token: your Steam game server login token, if you have one. Create it at steamcommunity.com/dev/managegameservers using the game's app ID, 227300 (not the server's 1948160), and paste it here. Leave it blank if you do not have a real one.
Auto update is under Show advanced on the same card and is on by default.
Restart. When the panel shows "Saved. The server must restart before these take effect.", press Restart now and wait for the ready line.
Add your mods (optional). Open the Modding tab. Enable your mods and map DLC in your own game, run export_server_packages in its console, and upload both files it writes, server_packages.sii and server_packages.dat, with Files into .local/share/Euro Truck Simulator 2/, replacing the two files already there. Then restart.
Add moderators (optional). In Files, edit moderator_list in .local/share/Euro Truck Simulator 2/server_config.sii with your drivers' Steam IDs, then restart. The panel does not overwrite that key.
Join. Search for your lobby name in the in-game server browser. Drivers need the mods your package files were exported with.

What the panel does for you

Ports and keys. At every start the panel writes your game port, the query port, the Steam token and the lobby name into server_config.sii (connection_dedicated_port, query_dedicated_port, server_logon_token, lobby_name). Hand edits to those four keys are replaced at the next start: change the lobby name and token in Game Settings, and the ports follow the server's own allocation.
A stock package pair. A new server starts with a default server_config.sii and a default server_packages.sii and server_packages.dat pair (base map, no mods, no DLC), so it runs the base game. Our boot script reads them at each start and prints what the server is advertising: the number of mods, the map and the date of the export.
A warning for the classic mistake. Uploading only one of the two package files is easy to miss. At each start the console prints a [pnh-packages] warning when only the .sii or only the .dat differs from the stock pair.
A checked install. On our installs SteamCMD has sometimes failed while still reporting success. Our install script checks that the app manifest exists and retries up to three times before it gives up, so the server does not start from an empty folder.
A wrong token ends the server. In our tests an invalid Steam token made Steam refuse the login, and the server exited within seconds. If that happens, clear Steam Auth token or paste a valid one, then start the server.
Backups. If your plan includes backups, take one from Backups before changing files by hand.

Other guides: How to connect to your Euro Truck Simulator 2 convoy server, How to generate server packages for your Euro Truck Simulator 2 server and How to change your Euro Truck Simulator 2 server name, password and slots.

Self-hosting or renting: an honest comparison

Cost. Self-hosted: the software is free, and you pay for hardware, power and bandwidth, or a cloud virtual machine. Rented: a monthly fee set by plan. See the current plans.
Availability. Self-hosted: as reliable as your machine, power and home internet, and it has to stay on when your convoy drives. Rented: runs on the host's hardware, not your PC.
Network exposure. Self-hosted: you open TCP and UDP ports on your router and players reach your public IP, unless you rely on direct search. Rented: your home IP is not involved.
Skill needed. Self-hosted: command line, port forwarding, editing server_config.sii and exporting the package pair. Rented: a web panel with form fields, and you still export the package pair yourself if you want mods or map DLC.
Updates. Self-hosted: run the SteamCMD command again after a game patch. Rented: the panel's Auto update setting, on by default, updates the server when it starts, so press Restart after a patch.

Self-hosting suits you if a machine already runs all day and you are comfortable with networking. Renting suits you if you would rather not look after hardware.

Common problems and fixes

The server stops at first start with a missing packages error

Cause: a self-hosted server has no server_packages.sii and server_packages.dat yet.

Fix: export them from your own game with export_server_packages and copy both into the server home folder.

The server does not appear in the session list

Cause: the physical ports are not reachable from outside. The dedicated server does not do NAT punching.

Fix: open both ports from server_config.sii for TCP and UDP and forward them, or use direct search with the ID the server prints at start. See Euro Truck Simulator 2 server does not appear in the convoy browser.

The server closes with "[MP] Steam disconnected"

Cause: the wiki says Steam lost its connection, for example when the internet connection drops or the computer goes to sleep.

Fix: start the server again, check the machine's network connection, and stop the machine from sleeping.

Your changes to the config file disappear (PlayNHost)

Cause: the key is one the panel writes at every start.

Fix: change the lobby name and token in Game Settings. Other keys, such as password and moderator_list, keep your edits.

FAQ

Can I host a Euro Truck Simulator 2 server for free?

Yes. The dedicated server is free on Steam and downloads with an anonymous login. You still pay for the machine, power and internet, and it must stay on while people drive.

How many players can join?

SCS's wiki says the limit is 8 players. Our plan is for 8 players.

Do I need to own the game to run the server?

Not to run it. You need the game to export the package files, and to create a Steam token.

Which ports does a Euro Truck Simulator 2 server use?

The two set in server_config.sii: connection_dedicated_port and query_dedicated_port, 27015 and 27016 in SCS's example, forwarded for TCP and UDP. The wiki says query_dedicated_port must be between 27015 and 27020 for LAN games.

Can I use the Steam Workshop?

The wiki says the server cannot access the Steam Workshop. Mods reach drivers through the package pair you export from your own game.

Ready to skip the setup? See the Euro Truck Simulator 2 server plans.

How to host a Euro Truck Simulator 2 server (2026)