Hundreds of heavy-goods vehicles from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, North Macedonia and Montenegro formed rolling blockades at major freight crossings on 26 January after the EU began full enforcement of the new electronic Entry/Exit System (EES). Although the protests took place outside Austria’s borders, the action instantly disrupted the north-south corridor that carries automotive parts, fresh produce and consumer goods to distribution hubs around Graz and Vienna.
Under EES, non-EU nationals—including professional drivers—must now observe the Schengen 90-days-in-180 rule to the minute. Hauliers argue that regular cross-border runs easily exhaust the allowance, leaving drivers stranded or facing €10,000 fines and multi-year entry bans. Several Balkan truckers have already been detained or deported from Austrian and Slovenian frontier posts in the past fortnight, according to regional industry association ČESMAD.
For operators struggling to stay ahead of these fast-changing requirements, VisaHQ can simplify compliance. Through its Austria portal (https://www.visahq.com/austria/), the platform offers up-to-date guidance on Schengen rules, personalised visa support and tools that help dispatchers track every driver’s remaining days, reducing the risk of costly penalties and keeping cargo moving.
![Balkan truck blockade over EU Entry/Exit rules threatens Austrian supply chains]()
Austrian manufacturers are worried. Magna Steyr’s head of logistics told the Styrian chamber of commerce that parts deliveries from Serbia were delayed by up to 24 hours on Monday, forcing contingency use of more expensive rail freight. Retail group Spar Österreich said perishable cargoes bound for its Vienna warehouse were rerouted via Croatia, adding four hours and higher fuel costs.
Vienna has not commented publicly, but officials in the Federal Transport Ministry confirmed to the APA news agency that Austria will press the European Commission for an occupational exemption similar to the “Crew Member” carve-out in aviation. Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper acknowledged the issue is under review.
For mobility managers the immediate task is contingency planning: audit supplier exposure to Balkan road freight, instruct trucking vendors to monitor driver Schengen days in real time, and prepare alternative multimodal routings via Koper or Trieste should blockades intensify.
Under EES, non-EU nationals—including professional drivers—must now observe the Schengen 90-days-in-180 rule to the minute. Hauliers argue that regular cross-border runs easily exhaust the allowance, leaving drivers stranded or facing €10,000 fines and multi-year entry bans. Several Balkan truckers have already been detained or deported from Austrian and Slovenian frontier posts in the past fortnight, according to regional industry association ČESMAD.
For operators struggling to stay ahead of these fast-changing requirements, VisaHQ can simplify compliance. Through its Austria portal (https://www.visahq.com/austria/), the platform offers up-to-date guidance on Schengen rules, personalised visa support and tools that help dispatchers track every driver’s remaining days, reducing the risk of costly penalties and keeping cargo moving.
Austrian manufacturers are worried. Magna Steyr’s head of logistics told the Styrian chamber of commerce that parts deliveries from Serbia were delayed by up to 24 hours on Monday, forcing contingency use of more expensive rail freight. Retail group Spar Österreich said perishable cargoes bound for its Vienna warehouse were rerouted via Croatia, adding four hours and higher fuel costs.
Vienna has not commented publicly, but officials in the Federal Transport Ministry confirmed to the APA news agency that Austria will press the European Commission for an occupational exemption similar to the “Crew Member” carve-out in aviation. Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper acknowledged the issue is under review.
For mobility managers the immediate task is contingency planning: audit supplier exposure to Balkan road freight, instruct trucking vendors to monitor driver Schengen days in real time, and prepare alternative multimodal routings via Koper or Trieste should blockades intensify.
