Bosnia’s trucking industry, a key part of the economy, could face disruptions due to new EU entry regulations. The sector, with around 36,000 drivers, moves goods between Bosnia and the EU daily, supporting 50,000 jobs.
Zeljko Calic, owner of Vilasped, is considering relocating his business to Croatia. His company, employing ten drivers, is one of many that could be affected by the EU’s new travel system starting January 1, 2025.
For years, Bosnia’s truckers operated under relaxed EU rules, allowing 90 days in the Schengen zone without a work permit. Border officers often overlooked tracking frequent entries, but this will change with the new system.
The EU’s ETIAS system will automatically track the days Bosnian truckers spend in the Schengen zone. Each border crossing will log the time, potentially restricting their ability to work.
This change could push Bosnia’s trucking businesses to relocate to EU countries, like Croatia, which may harm the country’s already struggling economy.