Carrier organisations in **Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and North Macedonia** have warned that they may block border crossings with the European Union from **14 September 2026** unless a solution is found for professional drivers’ time in the Schengen area.
For now, this is an **announced protest threat, not an official closure timetable**. At publication time, no final settlement or detailed list of affected crossings had been made public.
Why has the dispute escalated?
Non-EU nationals making short stays in the Schengen area are generally limited to **90 days in any rolling 180-day period**. Western Balkan hauliers argue that international drivers working across the region should not be treated in the same way as tourists.
The EU Entry/Exit System (EES), fully operational since April 2026, records third-country nationals’ border crossings electronically. This makes compliance with the 90/180-day limit easier to verify at the border.
Carrier associations are seeking a specific solution for professional drivers, such as an exemption, a longer permitted stay or an appropriate visa route.
Where could disruption occur?
The greatest exposure is on freight corridors between the Western Balkans and the EU, especially routes leading to Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Greece. The scale, starting time and effect on passenger traffic may vary by crossing.
What should dispatchers and drivers do?
- Recheck border authority and national carrier-association notices on 13–14 September.
- Add time, fuel and safe-parking reserves to the plan.
- Warn customers in advance that the ETA may change.
- Prepare a specific waiting plan for refrigerated, live-animal or ADR loads.
- Calculate each driver’s remaining 90/180 days from actual border dates; driving-time and rest rules do not replace immigration rules.
- Do not divert to an unconfirmed crossing without checking opening hours and accepted freight categories.
Important note on the 90/180 calculation
The European Commission’s short-stay calculator is a planning aid, not permission to enter. A long-stay visa, residence permit or bilateral arrangement may change an individual driver’s position. Borderline cases should be checked with the competent authority.
Sources
- [Report on the Western Balkan carrier protests and 14 September deadline](https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2026/8/31/western-balkans-truck-drivers-threaten-eu-border-blockade)
- [European Commission 90/180-day calculator](https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen/border-crossing/short-stay-calculator_en)
- [Official EU information on EES](https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees_en)
Updated on 1 September 2026. The situation can change, so verify the latest official notices before dispatch.