Nikoloski: Bilateral deals for long-term visas exist, but an EU Schengen solution is missing

Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Aleksandar Nikoloski warned at the "Forum for Global Trade and Growth 2026" in Skopje that discussions and conferences lose their point if Macedonian carriers continue to face practical barriers when entering and staying in the Schengen area.

"We can organize and hold excellent conferences, we can talk, but if afterwards we remain closed, every conversation is pointless," Nikoloski said, describing the current situation for domestic professional drivers.

He told the panel hosted by the Swiss Chamber of Macedonia that Macedonian professional drivers are still treated as tourists and therefore are subject to the 90 days in any 180-day period rule for short stays in the Schengen area.

Bilateral steps taken, but EU-level solution missing

"We tried to find a joint solution as a Western Balkan country together with the Schengen area, but, unfortunately, there is no final solution from the EU. I would say that an organized approach is missing," he said, urging a coordinated response.

Nikoloski outlined two concrete advances so far: drivers have been recognized as professionals in the Schengen visa strategy rather than as tourists, and Macedonia has secured direct bilateral agreements with several Schengen countries to issue long-term visas for carriers. He thanked Switzerland for being the first country to implement that model.

"Switzerland was the first here, for which I am grateful. It began issuing such work visas for drivers and I hope this will be an example that other Schengen member states will follow," he added.

The minister said that Croatia has already signed a bilateral agreement, and Switzerland has confirmed such an arrangement. With Romania, he said a solution was reached that will allow Macedonian drivers to receive permits instead of visas. Talks are underway with Bulgaria and Greece to exempt drivers who enter and leave on the same day from registration requirements.

Addressing competitiveness, Nikoloski noted the cost disadvantage faced by domestic haulers when foreign carriers take over freight: "How much more expensive it is for a foreign carrier to come, pick it up, and then deliver it to the destination. This is really a very big challenge when we talk about expanding border crossings," he said.

Transport businesses, organized by the transport association Makam-Trans, staged a protest on August 31 in front of the EU Delegation in Skopje, where around twenty trucks were parked. At the demonstration drivers carried the message: "We are on the road for work, not for vacation."

Photo: press material from the event