Carriers from Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina are announcing a blockade of border crossings with Schengen area countries, including the Bulgarian border. The reason is the introduction of the European "90 in 180" rule (90 days of stay in the EU within 180 days).
The rule comes into effect on April 10th as part of the European Entry/Exit System.
Carrier associations warn that the measure complicates the work of drivers. The Union of International Carriers confirms the expected losses for transport companies and plans for the protest to continue until February 2nd.
Carriers advise their colleagues to seek alternative routes through other countries, which, however, leads to increased costs.
Emil Nikolov, an expert from the Union of International Carriers, explains that the rule restricts the stay of drivers from third countries and they will find it difficult to comply with it. The idea is that they should be treated as cross-border workers, not as tourists. This will lead to additional losses.