Brussels – The European Commission acknowledges the concerns raised by transport operators in the Western Balkans and is actively monitoring the situation regarding blockades at border crossings. This was stated by EC spokesperson for internal affairs, Markus Lamert.
Lamert’s remarks came in response to a question about the Commission’s stance on the blockades affecting Balkan carriers’ access to the Schengen area and their claims of discrimination by the Entry/Exit System (EES) compared to EU counterparts. He also addressed whether the EU intends to grant special status to professional drivers, distinguishing them from tourists when entering the Union.
“We recognize that many professionals from third countries may need to remain in the Schengen area for over 90 days within a 180-day period. This pertains to highly mobile professions, including truck drivers, athletes, and artists. It is also tied to national regulations and existing bilateral agreements. We are committed to addressing this issue as part of our preparations for the upcoming Visa Strategy, which is set to be released this week,” Lamert stated.
He emphasized that the EES does not create new regulations or requirements regarding the duration of stay in the Schengen area. Instead, it aims to enhance the enforcement of existing rules and systematically identify irregular practices.
He highlighted that these rules are not new and have been consistently applied across the Schengen area for years, offering some flexibility for specific categories of workers. (26 January 2026)
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