Source: Business Association of Freight Carriers in International Road Transport of Serbia
Date: 7th September 2026 

Road freight flows between the EU and Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and North Macedonia could face significant disruption as transport associations prepare coordinated action over Schengen driver stay restrictions.

Road freight movements between the Western Balkans and the European Union could face significant disruption from September 14, 2026, as transport associations prepare coordinated action at border crossings.

Carrier organisations representing Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and North Macedonia have announced plans to suspend or restrict freight traffic at crossings toward the EU unless progress is made on rules governing how long professional drivers can remain within the Schengen Area.

The dispute centres on the Schengen 90/180-day rule, under which eligible non-EU nationals can generally remain within the Schengen Area for no more than 90 days during any rolling 180-day period.

Road transport associations argue that applying the same limitation to professional drivers performing international freight operations is increasingly restricting their ability to work across European markets.

Potential disruption to road freight. If the planned action proceeds, freight movements at numerous border crossings connecting the Western Balkans with EU markets could be affected.

In Serbia, the announced protest covers major inbound and outbound freight crossings, with carriers planning to suspend transport operations at freight terminals and restrict freight traffic on roads approaching smaller crossings.

Importantly, the planned action currently has no predetermined end date. According to the Serbian transport association, the protest is expected to continue until an adequate proposal addressing the professional driver issue is presented.

This creates uncertainty for businesses dependent on regular truck movements between manufacturing and distribution networks in the Western Balkans and the rest of Europe.

Intermodal operations could also be affected. According to the latest information from SBA / Logfret Serbia, the planned action is currently expected to affect intermodal operations at the Port of Novi Sad.

However, based on information currently available, intermodal terminals in Belgrade are expected to remain operational.

The situation remains fluid, and operational arrangements could change at short notice as September 14 approaches.

Supply chain impact could extend beyond border crossings. If freight traffic is significantly restricted, the immediate consequences could include truck queues, longer transit times and delayed deliveries.

If the action continues for several days, disruption could spread further through regional supply chains as trucks and cargo accumulate on either side of affected borders. Manufacturing schedules, distribution operations and onward transport connections could consequently come under pressure.

Businesses operating time-sensitive, just-in-time or production-critical supply chains may be particularly exposed.

What This Means

• Companies moving cargo between the EU and Western Balkan markets should review shipments scheduled around September 14 and the following days.
• Where possible, additional transit time should be incorporated into planning. Alternative routings or transport options may also need to be evaluated for critical shipments.
• Importers and exporters should closely monitor individual border crossings, as the actual scale and duration of disruption may vary by location.

The planned action demonstrates how regulations affecting professional drivers can develop into a broader freight capacity and supply-chain issue.

With carriers across several Western Balkan countries potentially taking coordinated action, alternative road routes may offer limited relief if disruption becomes widespread.

SBA / Logfret is closely monitoring developments through its local teams across the region. Customers with cargo moving between the Western Balkans and EU markets should prepare for possible disruption from September 14, while recognising that the situation may change if progress is made before the planned action begins.