Serbian international transport companies face major challenges due to the new Schengen Borders Code, which, from October 12, introduces electronic entry-exit controls in 25 EU countries and four EFTA states. Under the new rules, truck and bus drivers are treated like tourists, limiting their stay in the Schengen area to 90 days per half-year (180 days annually). While this limit existed before, it was previously monitored by passport stamps, and border checks for professional drivers were infrequent.
The new system, called the Entry-Exit System (EES), will record biometric data, including fingerprints and facial images, upon first entry. Subsequent border crossings will be automatically tracked, meaning professional drivers could be denied entry at the border if their stay exceeds the allowed limit.
Industry representatives warn that this could severely disrupt transport operations. At a September 10 roundtable in Belgrade during the Truck Fair and Serbian Transporters’ Days, companies from Serbia and neighboring countries highlighted the potential impact on trade and freight. They submitted their concerns to the European Commission, the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, embassies of Schengen countries, and the Transport Community based in Belgrade.
Aleksandar Spasić, Secretary-General of the International Transport Business Association, emphasized that drivers are not illegal migrants and that many companies incentivize legal work with bonuses and family support. He warned that if the rules remain unchanged, many Serbian transport firms may relocate their headquarters to Schengen countries to maintain operations, potentially shifting business away from Serbia.
The EES system will initially be implemented by Croatia and Hungary, with other countries joining by mid-April next year. It remains unclear whether previous stays in the Schengen zone will be counted, which could immediately prevent some drivers from crossing borders. Serbia has roughly 3,500 international road transport companies, employing 36,000 people with a fleet of 24,000 vehicles, making this a major potential disruption for both domestic and EU transport industries.
