IRU is closely following developments at the EU–Türkiye border and the road transport industry’s overall concerns over Schengen entry and stay rules affecting its drivers, including in the Western Balkans. These concerns must be addressed to keep vital supply chains moving.
Protests are disrupting Türkiye’s border crossings with Bulgaria. They follow reports that a significant number of professional Turkish drivers were refused entry for exceeding the Schengen 90-day stay limit within a 180-day period.
Beyond these immediate disruptions, the way Schengen visas are granted and stay limits are applied continues to severely impact operators and drivers. The Schengen framework is central to effective border management. Yet, the EU's new entry and exit system has often caused new technical challenges for professional drivers carrying out international transport operations.
IRU Secretary General Habib Turki said, “Efficient and secure international transport requires effective border controls. However, they cannot come at the expense of transport companies and their drivers’ working conditions. Their work is essential to the supply chains we all depend on.”
“An immediate resolution that meets operators’ significant concerns is needed for international road transport to function efficiently,” he added.
IRU will continue to work with EU institutions and national authorities to address the sector’s concerns and prevent further disruptions to international transport.