Travellers crossing between the Western Balkans and the European Union should expect significant disruption at major land border crossings from today, 14 September 2026, after freight transport associations from Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and North Macedonia launched coordinated blockades.
What Is Happening
Haulier organisations across the four countries began suspending or restricting freight traffic at EU-facing border crossings in protest at the European Commission’s application of Schengen Area rules to professional truck drivers. Under current law, drivers are subject to the same 90-day stay limit within any 180-day period as tourists. Carriers argue their drivers are present in Schengen territory for work — transporting goods — not leisure, and that the rules have already caused detentions, deportations, fines and entry bans.
The European Commission has confirmed it does not plan to change the rules in response to the protest action. The blockade has no predetermined end date.
Border Crossings Most Likely to Be Affected
The blockades target freight traffic, not passenger vehicles. However, queueing lorries create congestion that affects all vehicles, including tourist cars, rental vehicles and cross-border buses. Crossings to watch:
- Croatia–Bosnia: Stara Gradiška, Slavonski Brod
- Hungary–Serbia: Horgoš/Röszke
- Bulgaria–Serbia: Gradina/Kalotina
- Slovenia–Croatia: Obrežje (onward from Serbia)
Allow at least two to three additional hours at land border crossings while the dispute continues. If you have a connecting train, bus or flight on the EU side, build in significant contingency.
What Is Not Affected
Air travel between Balkans cities and EU destinations is fully unaffected. All domestic travel within Serbia, Bosnia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo and Croatia runs normally. The blockade affects only outbound freight routes toward the Schengen Area; tourism within the Balkans region proceeds as normal. Given the potential for delays and missed connections at land borders, travellers should ensure travel insurance is in place to cover disruption costs.
We recommend checking the Balkans transport guide for land crossing details and alternative options, and reviewing our safety and security overview if your plans involve land travel this week.
Sources for Live Updates
- Serbian AMSS road authority: amss.org.rs
- Croatian HAK motoring association: hak.hr
- Bosnian BIHAMK road authority: bihamk.ba
We will update this article if the situation resolves or escalates significantly.