Western Balkans Truck Drivers Threaten EU Border Blockade Over Schengen Limits

Transporters from Serbia recently protested in Belgrade over strict Schengen restrictions, warning of potential border blockades next month if their demands are ignored. Hundreds of truck drivers from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia gathered across four Western Balkan states on Monday to demand an exemption from rules that limit non-Schengen drivers to 90 days in the border-free zone within any 180-day period.

If Brussels fails to grant an exemption, the drivers have threatened to block border crossings with the European Union on September 14. Tensions have escalated following the rollout of the EU's Entry/Exit System in April, which electronically tracks non-EU nationals and makes monitoring time spent in the Schengen zone much easier.

While the European Commission has stated it is in contact with regional partners to find solutions—such as bilateral agreements between individual Western Balkan nations and EU member states—drivers argue these measures are insufficient and are demanding a comprehensive Schengen-wide exemption.

With the European Union serving as the Western Balkans' largest trading partner, any prolonged blockade could severely disrupt the import and export of essential goods like food, fuel, and medicines, impacting businesses and consumers across the region. Drivers emphasize that they are entering the bloc to work rather than travel as tourists, noting that the current restrictions cut their potential working time in half and make it impossible to support their families.