site.btaUPDATED Western Balkans Freight Carriers Protest New Schengen Drivers’ Stay Rules with Border Blockades

Representatives of associations of international road freight carriers from Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of North Macedonia have announced a protest at border crossings with neighbouring Schengen countries, including Bulgaria, scheduled for Monday, local media reported.

The protest is being organized in response to restrictions limiting the stay of professional drivers in Schengen countries to a maximum of 90 days within a six-month period, under the new Entry/Exit System (EES) 90/180 rule, introduced in early October 2025. Carriers argue that the new regulation will severely hamper their operations.

According to the organizers, the aim of the protest is to draw attention to the long-term consequences of the new rule for the economies of the European Union Member States that have signed the agreement, as well as for countries not covered by it, once strict enforcement begins on April 10.

The carriers’ associations said that the protest would continue until the issue is resolved, Montenegro’s Vijesti daily reported.

The Ministry of Interior of the Republic of North Macedonia announced that the passage of freight vehicles will be blocked Monday from 12:00 pm (1:00 pm Bulgarian time) at the border crossings Deve Bair, Delchevo and Novo Selo (on the border with Bulgaria); Dojran, Bogorodica and Medzhitlija (on the border with Greece); Kafasan and Blato (on the border with Albania); and Blace (on the border with Kosovo).

The protest will halt the movement of freight vehicles, while passenger traffic will continue without interruption at all border crossings, North Macedonia's Interior Ministry said. According to the organizers, the protest is planned to last up to seven days, with the possibility of ending earlier if the reasons for it are resolved in the meantime, the Ministry added. The authorities urged citizens and transport operators to monitor the situation at border crossings, follow official information and, if necessary, use alternative border routes.

The European Commission is aware of the concerns of transport operators from the Western Balkan countries, a Commission Spokesperson told a news conference on Monday. He was replying to questions related to freight carriers' protest. 

The system for crossing external EU borders does not introduce new requirements regarding the length of stay in Schengen, the Spokesperson explained. It helps to better detect illegal activity, he added. According to the Schengen rules, citizens of countries that do not require a visa to enter the EU can stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. A visa is required for longer stays. These rules apply equally throughout the Schengen area and have been in force for many years, the Spokesperson said.

He noted that the rules allow for some flexibility for cross-border workers. The European Commission knows that there are foreigners who cross borders for work without being cross-border workers, such as truck drivers, athletes, and artists. The Commission is paying close attention to these issues, and work on the new European visa strategy is continuing, the Spokesperson said. The strategy is expected to be presented by the end of the week. 

Later in the day, it transpired that the movement of heavy vehicles over 3.5 tons entering Bulgaria through the Gyueshevo border crossing point has been temporarily restricted. The police in Kyustendil said that traffic at noon was restricted only in the direction of the entrance to Bulgaria, but it is expected that at midnight the strike actions will be at the exit from Bulgaria. The police in Kyustendil assured that arrangements have been made to provide assistance and secure parking spaces, if necessary.