Western Balkan truckers to meet in Skopje seeking exemption from Schengen 90/180 stay rule
Regional carriers from North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina will coordinate a joint approach to European institutions.
Truck operators from the Western Balkans will meet tomorrow in Skopje to press for an exemption from the Schengen rule that limits stays to 90 days within any 180‑day period. Delegations will include representatives of carriers’ associations from North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
This is the first time such a regional meeting is being hosted in Skopje; organisers say the central issue on the agenda is how the 90/180‑day restriction affects professional drivers who routinely cross Schengen borders for work.
Industry groups argue that the rule, designed for short‑term visitors, does not fit the working patterns of long‑distance truck drivers and are asking that professional drivers be exempted or given a tailored solution.
Biljana Muratovska of the Association of Carriers – MAKAMTRANS said: "The problem is still unresolved. The meeting is being held to determine the agenda of our future activities."
Next steps
Regional associations have already sent a letter to the European Union requesting a direct meeting and a concrete solution for drivers from the Western Balkans.
The Skopje meeting is expected to finalise the next steps and a common strategy that the regional carriers will present to European institutions in pursuit of a permanent fix.
Photo: EPA/Edvard Molnar HUNGARY OUT
