The implementation of the Entry/Exit System at the Borders of the European Union (EES) affected many tourists from Serbia, but not only them. Truck and bus drivers are particularly affected.
As a reminder, from October 12, EU members began the gradual implementation of the EES (Entry/Exit System) system for entering the territory of the Schengen area. Those rules on visa-free entry into the EU, which also apply to our citizens, stipulate that every citizen can stay on the territory of the Union for a maximum of 90 days within 180 days, that is, 180 days in one year.
For the majority of people who cross the border to go on a 10-to-15-day long summer vacation, this is more than enough.But what happens to those who go to the EU much more often for work, such as professional drivers?
Namely, the new EU entry control system, i.e. the "90/180" rule, practically treats them as tourists, allowing them to stay in the EU for 90 days in half a year - which is a problem for the transport industry, according to the Serbian Chamber of Commerce (PKS).
Transportation Community: We understand the concern
The Transport Community of Southeast Europe says, for EUpravo Zato, that the implementation of EES will not change the existing conditions of entry for professional drivers
"The only change relates to the collection of biometric data and replacing stamping passports with electronic records in the system. All other conditions remain the same. Therefore, the EES affects only the control procedures, not the rules themselves," the organization in charge of developing the transport network and harmonizing traffic between the European Union and the countries of the Western Balkans told our portal.
According to them, the goal of the Entry/Exit System is to modernize and improve the management of the EU's external borders by electronically registering non-EU travelers every time they enter or leave the Schengen area.
"It is an automatic IT system for the registration of non-EU nationals traveling on a short-term basis, every time they cross the external border of any EU member state (except Cyprus and Ireland), including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The right to stay in the Schengen area for 90 days in any 180-day period is a long-standing basic rule for short stays. Serbian professional drivers, as well as all non-EU professional drivers entering the Schengen territory, are already familiar with with this rule, which was additionally confirmed by the Regulation on the Schengen Border Code from 2016".
However, the Transport Community points out that they understand that there are certain concerns regarding the implementation of the new system when it comes to this topic.
"The transport community has very limited competence in this area, because it falls exclusively within the purview of the European Commission and EU member states. However, we listened to these concerns and conveyed them directly to the European Commission. We also organized a meeting in Brussels where transport associations and regional institutions had the opportunity to present their arguments and conduct a constructive dialogue with the representatives of the European Commission. It is important to emphasize that this legislation refers to the organization of entry and exit procedures. That is why the competence of the Transport Community in this area is limited," they told EUpravo Zato that's why.
Serious consequences for the economy
The Serbian Chamber of Commerce believes that further application of this rule threatens to disrupt trade and investment flows between the region and the EU, increase transport costs and threaten the economic stability of the region, as well as the functioning of supply chains in the EU.
"We have to mention the fact that this visa regime has been in force for more than two decades, so it is not a new regulation. The Schengen zone was created by the agreement of five European countries. Today, we have 29 European Schengen member states. When executing international transport from or to the Republic of Serbia, as much as 95 percent of the time is spent in the Schengen zone. The limit of 90-day-stay in any period of 180 days on the EU territory puts professional drivers in international road traffic in a position whereby they can work only for approximately six months of the year, which is economically unprofitable for both drivers and employers and makes this occupation increasingly unattractive. This practically halves the efficiency of the driving staff employed by international freight and passenger transport companies," Vesna Đorđević, senior adviser at the Association for Transport of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, points out for EUpravo Zato.
According to her, the Serbian Chamber of Commerce has been undertaking activities at the national and regional level for a long period of time in order to protect the interests of domestic carriers in connection with Rule 90/180.
"Initiatives have been submitted to the line ministries in order to abolish this restriction for professional drivers. We are constantly communicating with the European Commission through engagement at regional forums and networks (KIF WB6 - Chamber Investment Forum of the Western Balkan countries, Forum AIC - Forum of the Adriatic-Ionian Chambers, Transport Community, , BSEC-URTA - Union of Road Transport Associations in the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Region...), initiating issues within the IRU - International Union of Road Transporters and other international bodies, as well as have professional meetings with the affected businesses to define common measures".
She adds that that issue was additionally raised to the highest political level, through the participation of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia at the Western Balkans Summit as part of the Berlin Process in London and Tirana, with the aim of providing a systemic and permanent solution for the protection of the interests of Serbian carriers and the stability of its economy.
Concrete initiatives launched by the PKS
When asked what are the concrete proposals put forward by the PKS, Đorđević points out the following:
- Exemption of professional drivers from the application of this restriction.
- If the exemption is not feasible within a reasonable time, a significant increase in the number of days allowed to stay in the EU in a period of 180 days or measuring the number of hours spent in the EU territory instead of the number of days as it is now or
- Introducing a special visa for professional drivers, which would be valid on the territory of the entire Schengen zone, in order to ensure continuity in cross-border transport.
Initiatives that make work easier for our professional drivers
The Transport Community underlines that the road infrastructure in the Western Balkans has been significantly improved over the past decades, primarily thanks to the integration into the TEN-T network.
"For the first time, the main European corridors, the Western Balkans-Eastern Mediterranean and the Rhine-Danube, have been extended to the region. The new, modern infrastructure has improved the working conditions of professional drivers and improved the quality and safety of traffic.
At the same time, facilitating the crossing of borders is one of the main priorities of the Transport Community. Our 2025-2027 Transport Facilitation Action Plan focuses on the modernization and digitization of procedures along the TEN-T network. Key initiatives include joint controls and one-stop procedures, improving infrastructure and flows, as well as improving the work of border services."
According to them, concrete results are already visible.
"One-stop controls have been introduced between Serbia and North Macedonia, as well as between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, and similar systems are expected at other strategic crossings.
Infrastructure investments at border crossings such as Horgoš, Preševo, Batrovci and Gradina include reconstructed control booths, inspection lanes, scales and mobile scanner platforms. The integrated border crossing in Sremska Rača between Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, that is under construction, together with 18 km of highway and a new bridge over the Sava, will further increase capacities and efficiency".
One of the most important regional initiatives is, as they say, the Green Belts, which were jointly launched by the Transport Community and CEFTA.
"The goal of this initiative is to reduce waiting times by enabling systematic electronic data exchange, expediting the flow of goods, improving risk management and improving coordination between border services. It is designed to ease the traffic at some of the busiest crossings between Serbia and EU member states. The European Commission has already provided significant funds within the Safe and Sustainable Transport Program for their modernization."
(EUpravo zato)