EU to Review Visa Rules for Professional Drivers from Bosnia

The European Union is set to address the residency status of professional drivers from Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) in a meeting scheduled for March 16, 2024. This development comes as the EU reviews strategic documents that may lead to changes in the current regulations governing the movement of these drivers within the Schengen Area. The existing limit of 90 days within a 180-day period is proving inadequate for professionals whose work necessitates regular travel between member states.

During this session, the EU will consider extending short-term stays for professional drivers and other mobile workers from non-EU countries. This initiative aims to maintain safety and legal standards while accommodating the needs of the transport industry. Forto, the Minister of Communications and Transport in BiH, highlighted the significance of this discussion, stating, “This is the first time that a strategic shift towards our professional drivers, as well as those from the region, is being considered. If a new visa strategy is adopted, it will ease our challenges in the coming months, although we cannot predict the final outcome.”

The Ministry of Communications and Transport of Bosnia and Herzegovina has been actively working to address the application of residency rules in the Schengen Area for its professional drivers. There have been multiple discussions with EU institutions and relevant international partners regarding this pressing issue.

In a related development, truck operators in BiH, united under the Consortium of Logistics, have initiated border blockades at freight terminals to express their dissatisfaction with working conditions in the Schengen zone. They are particularly concerned about the limitations imposed on BiH drivers, who cannot stay longer than 90 days in a 180-day period within the Schengen Area. This blockade has also seen participation from truck carriers from Serbia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia, who share similar grievances. The protest has now entered its third day.

The Consortium has outlined several key demands to address these challenges:

1. Exemption for professional drivers from the 90/180-day quota.
2. Refund of a portion of fuel excise taxes, citing that Bosnia and Herzegovina is the only European country that does not reimburse carriers for these taxes.
3. An urgent agreement with EU and regional countries regarding the refund of VAT, as stipulated in the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) that binds all EU nations.
4. A 50% discount on tolls for highways in BiH to encourage greater truck traffic to utilize highways instead of regional roads.
5. A reduction in unnecessary delays for trucks at borders and customs.

These developments highlight the significant impact of EU regulations on the transportation sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the broader region. As discussions unfold, the results could reshape the operational landscape for professional drivers, improving mobility and working conditions across the Schengen Area.