Croatia passes law easing residency for Bosnian professional drivers

On Friday the Croatian Parliament approved amendments to the Law on Foreigners that create a specific legal pathway for workers from Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially professional truck drivers as well as construction and other sector employees, allowing longer and simpler stays and work in Croatia.

The change follows coordinated talks involving Bosnia’s Ministry of Communications and Transport, the Foreign Ministry, employer associations from both entities of Bosnia, and Croatia’s interior minister Davor Božinović. Bosnian ambassador Elma Kovačević‑Bajtal said the law “is a significant step toward solving the long‑standing problem of residence for Bosnian workers,” and transport minister Edin Forto added, “Our drivers do not travel as tourists, they work the supply chains …” The measure also opens the possibility of special visas for regional drivers to access the Schengen zone, improving legal certainty and supporting continuous international transport and trade.