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Western Balkan transporters delay protests over Schengen stay rules
Transport associations from the Western Balkans, including North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro, have agreed to delay potential border protests until September 1. This decision follows a regional meeting in Skopje aimed at addressing the challenges posed by the Schengen zone's 90/180-day stay rule for professional drivers.
Drivers argue that the current system treats them like tourists rather than professionals, leading to labor shortages and fears of deportation or fines. They are requesting that stay durations be calculated in hours and minutes rather than full days to ensure they receive their full 90-day entitlement. Approximately 100,000 drivers across the region are affected by these regulations.
In response to the crisis, North Macedonia is pursuing bilateral agreements with Schengen members such as Switzerland, Croatia, and Romania to secure long-term work visas. The associations are now awaiting a meeting with the European Commission scheduled for early September to determine if a regional solution will be provided.
Entities
Aleksandar Nikoloski · Alexander Nikolski · Association of Serbia for International Transport · Biljana Muratovska · Bosnia and Herzegovina · European Commission · Montenegro · Neđo Mandić · North Macedonia · Schengen Area · Serbia · Western Balkans
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 10 SOURCES] Western Balkan transport associations held a regional meeting in Skopje on August 11 to discuss Schengen stay limits. racin.mk · skopje1.mk · zhurnal.mk · vesti.alfa.mk · press24.mk · +5 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] Macedonia has signed bilateral agreements with Switzerland, Croatia, and Romania to address transporter issues. vocentar.com · expres.mk · sitel.com.mk · english.republika.mk · vecer.mk
- [● 6 SOURCES] Drivers propose that stay duration be calculated based on hours and minutes rather than full days. racin.mk · skopje1.mk · press24.mk · tv21.tv · zhurnal.mk · +1 more
- [● 12 SOURCES] The current EU rule limits professional drivers from non-Schengen countries to 90 days of stay within a 180-day period. racin.mk · skopje1.mk · zhurnal.mk · www.ktv.rs · www.nedeljnik.rs · +6 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] Some drivers are already refusing to travel due to fear of deportation and fines. zhurnal.mk · press24.mk · tv21.tv · biznis.rs
- [DISPUTED] Transport companies from Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro are threatening protests if no EU solution is reached by September 1. zhurnal.mk · press24.mk · tv21.tv · www.dan.co.me · racin.mk · +2 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] The European Commission has not yet provided a specific solution for the 90/180-day stay restriction. racin.mk · skopje1.mk · zhurnal.mk · www.ktv.rs · www.nedeljnik.rs · +4 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] Macedonia is currently working on agreements with Austria, Germany, and Hungary. vocentar.com · expres.mk · sitel.com.mk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Approximately 17,000 professional drivers in North Macedonia and 100,000 across the Western Balkans are affected by the Schengen stay rules. racin.mk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Approximately 50 percent of drivers are refusing to travel due to uncertainty regarding border controls and potential deportations. biznis.rs
- [DISPUTED] Transport associations from North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro have decided to wait until September 1 before organizing protests. racin.mk · zhurnal.mk · press24.mk · biznis.rs · www.portalanalitika.me · +2 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] Transport associations propose that stay duration be calculated based on hours and minutes rather than full days. racin.mk · zhurnal.mk · press24.mk · tv21.tv · biznis.rs · +1 more