Balkan Truckers Continue Blockade of EU Border Crossings, Expect Solution from EU

Trucks (BETAPHOTO/DRAGAN GOJIC/DS)

Freight company associations from Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia, which have been staging a synchronized blockade of all commercial border crossings between the Western Balkans and the EU since Jan. 26, have stated they are expecting the EU to soon resolve their issue with the new 90/180 rule hindering the work of the region’s professional truckers.

In October 2025, the European Commission instituted a new electronic system for monitoring Schengen Area border traffic, called the Exit-Entry System (EES). This system has enabled the strict enforcement of the EU’s 90/180 rule – limiting the temporary stay of non-EU nationals to a total of 90 days out of each 180 consecutive days – a change that is especially problematic for the chronically understaffed transport industry.

In response to the EES limiting their annual number of work days to 180, regional truckers commenced a border blockade three days ago.

The European Commission, whose countries are now suffering from the halt in Western Balkan imports, announced on Jan. 28 that it would publish the draft of a new EU visa strategy on Jan. 29, one which will provide a systemic solution for non-Schengen professional truckers in the form of special visas.

Nedjo Mandic, the president of the Transporters Association of Serbia, told BETA that one of the solutions regional freight companies suggested is granting truckers long-term driving visas for the entire Schengen Area. “Visas are reminiscent of harsher times when they were required, so the solution isn’t great but is acceptable,” Mandic stressed.

According to announcements, the EC’s strategy envisages precisely such a solution, yet the Serbian Chamber of Commerce has warned that the adoption process is lengthy and can take as long as six months – leaving the matter unresolved in the meantime.

The protesting transport associations have stated they will not stop the blockade until a solution is found since the past few days have seen several truckers punished with deportation and vehicle seizure for overstaying in the EU.

Given that the lack of professional drivers is present not only in the Western Balkans but Europe as a whole, the 90/180 rule leaves transporters unable to find additional drivers. Moreover, the companies cannot afford the costs of paying new drivers while retaining those waiting for their filled quota to expire.