Border blockades in the Western Balkans lifted – traffic returning to normal

Status February 2, 2026:

The truck blockades at the EU’s external borders in Serbia, Bosnia, Montenegro and North Macedonia ended on January 30, 2026. This follows a commitment by the European Commission to review the implementation of the digital Entry/Exit System (EES) and to develop pragmatic solutions – including possible extensions of short-stay periods for truck drivers from third countries.

Border traffic is returning to normal. However, due to the backlog, delays in the transport of goods are still to be expected.

If you have any questions, your usual contacts will be happy to assist you at any time.
 

Status January 30, 2026:

The announced blockades at freight border crossings have been further intensified:

• Currently, neither exports nor imports by road are possible to and from Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• There are major backlogs at numerous border crossings.
• Gebrüder Weiss is increasingly reviewing alternative transport solutions. A shift to air freight is generally possible, but capacities are severely limited.
• There is no official information yet on the duration of the blockade. A political solution at EU level is currently not foreseeable.

We continue to monitor the situation closely in coordination with our local teams and the relevant authorities and will inform you immediately of any significant developments.

For any questions, your usual contacts at Gebrüder Weiss will be happy to assist you at any time.

Status January 26, 2026:

Transport associations from Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina, have begun blocking all freight border crossings to Schengen countries.

Start of the protest actions:

• Exit from the above-mentioned countries:
  from 26 January 2026, 12:00 p.m.
• Entry into the above-mentioned countries:
  from 26 January 2026, 12:00 a.m. (midnight), allowing domestic transport companies to return to their operating bases

Transport of the following goods remains permitted:

• Medicines
• Livestock

The blockade may be limited to one day if an appropriate response is received from the European Union. Otherwise, the blockade is currently expected to last up to seven days.

We are closely monitoring the situation in coordination with our local teams and the relevant authorities and will keep you informed about further developments.
 

Status January 22, 2026:

From January 26, 2026, transport associations from Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina have announced plans to temporarily block all freight border crossings to Schengen countries. The background to these actions are ongoing issues related to the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES), which records the entry and exit of truck drivers and affects the number of permitted working days within the Schengen area.

Should these measures be implemented, significant disruptions to road transport to and from the affected countries are to be expected. The protest action is currently planned for up to seven days, but may be ended earlier if a political agreement is reached.

We are closely monitoring the situation in coordination with our local teams and the relevant authorities and will keep you informed about further developments.

If you have any questions, your usual contact persons at Gebrüder Weiss will be happy to assist you at any time.