The German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce (AHK Serbien) informs about possible blockades on the Schengen borders and possible disruptions in cross-border freight and passenger traffic as of September 14, 2026. Bus drivers could join the movement. This would also affect passenger and freight traffic with 🇲🇰 crossing Serbia to Croatia and Hungary. The protest could be unlimited.
The Serbian Association of Professional Drivers PuMedTrans has announced the possibility of re-organizing blockades of border crossings if there are no changes to the Schengen regulations related to professional drivers from the Western Balkans. Furthermore, reports suggest that bus drivers involved in international passenger transport might also join potential protests, as they are subject to the same residency regulations.
The protests concern the “90/180-day rule,” under which third-country nationals are generally permitted to stay in the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period. This regulation affects all drivers from Western Balkan states engaged in international freight transport.
Industry reports indicate an increase in recent weeks of professional drivers from Western Balkan states being turned away at the external borders of the European Union and the Schengen Area for exceeding the permitted 90-day stay. Available information also points to the imposition of fines, expulsion orders, and temporary entry bans when checks revealed that the permitted duration of stay had been exceeded—whether detected during their time in the Schengen Area or upon departure. Unlike the protests held earlier this year, the organizers state that any potential border blockades would not initially have a set time limit. Consequently, they could continue until a solution is found for the affected professional groups.
In this context, it is noted that exceptions to the aforementioned 90/180-day rule for stays in the Schengen Area already exist for rail, maritime, and aviation personnel.
It is recommended for companies that have transport and logistics links between the Western Balkans and the EU to
- carefully monitor the situation
- plan additional time reserves and
- inform business partners in a timely manner about possible delays.
The Macedonian Minister of Transport has in May that the issue is solved, declaring that “Macedonian transporters will be able to obtain visas for movement in Schengen Area countries at the Croatian Embassy in Skopje and in their diplomatic and consular missions, this resolves the issue that arose with the introduction of the European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES)”.
Nevertheless, the country is looking for other solutions.
Within the Ministry’s capabilities, work is underway on reaching bilateral agreements with the member states of the Schengen Area, since we believe Macedonia resolving the professional drivers issue independently is the most appropriate solution. We would like to stress that such agreements have already been reached with Switzerland, Croatia, and Romania. We are working hard with the governments of Austria and of Germany and in September we expect to hold a high-level meeting with the Austrian Government, as well as with Slovenia in October, in order to conclude bilateral agreements with these countries as well concerning the issuance of long-term visas for Macedonian professional drivers.
Ministry of Transport Press release, August 31st.
The Belgian-Macedonian Business Club, together with other bilateral chambers, urges all parties to ensure a political solution for road transport.
If solutions are available for maritime, rail, or air transport but are not feasible for geographical, capacity, or financial reasons, provisions must be extended to road services.
This concerns specifically bus transport which represents a vital and affordable lifeline for economically disadvantaged populations and serves as a crucial connection for emigrants to maintain ties with their families in the Western Balkans.
Leave a Reply