EU Residence Restrictions for BiH Drivers: Challenges for the Transport Sector

For professional drivers from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the European Union's residence restrictions (specifically the rule allowing only 90 days of stay within any 180-day period) remains one of the most significant hurdles in international road transport.

Understanding the 90/180 Rule

Under the Schengen Agreement, citizens of non-EU countries (including BiH) are permitted to stay in the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days within a rolling 180-day window. While this rule is designed for tourists, it currently applies equally to professional drivers who spend most of their working hours on EU roads.

Impact on the Transport Industry

This restriction creates a "driver shortage by regulation." Even when a company has enough vehicles and willing drivers, the legal limitation on stay-time often forces drivers to remain in BiH for extended periods, even if they have not reached their maximum driving hours under safety regulations.

Key impacts include:

• Reduced vehicle utilization: Trucks may sit idle because their regular drivers have exhausted their Schengen days.
• Increased operational costs: Companies must hire more drivers to cover the same number of routes.
• Logistical complexity: Planning international routes requires precise tracking of each driver's remaining Schengen days.

How General Logistic Maintains Service Continuity

Despite these challenges, General Logistic has implemented several strategies to ensure our international transport services remain reliable:

1. Advanced Rotation Planning: We use specialized software to track driver stay-time and plan rotations weeks in advance.
2. Strategic Relay Points: By utilizing relay points and hub-and-spoke models, we minimize the time any single driver needs to spend within the EU per trip.
3. Advocacy for Professional Status: We actively participate in industry associations calling for a separate visa or stay-status for professional drivers that recognizes the nature of their work.
4. Local Logistics Integration: Increasing our use of rail and sea freight for certain segments helps reduce the pressure on road transport drivers.

The Path Forward

There is ongoing discussion at the European level regarding the exclusion of professional drivers from the 90/180 day rule. Until a formal change is made, we will continue to prioritize compliance while using every logistical tool at our disposal to deliver for our clients.

At General Logistic, we believe that understanding these regulatory challenges is the first step toward overcoming them. Our clients can rest assured that their cargo will move on time, thanks to our proactive planning and resilient driver network.