Montenegro’s road-haulage sector is preparing a coordinated protest over the application of Schengen mobility rules to professional drivers, warning that restrictions on non-EU nationals could increasingly disrupt international freight.
The Montenegro Transport Association plans a two-hour protest outside the EU Delegation in Podgorica on 31 August, from 12:00 to 14:00, alongside transport operators in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia.
The dispute concerns the Schengen rule allowing non-EU nationals to remain for 90 days within any 180-day period. For professional truck drivers who repeatedly enter the Schengen area for work, each day spent inside the zone counts toward the limit. Transport representatives say the first cases of drivers being refused further entry have already emerged.
Freight Sector Faces Mobility Restrictions
Professional drivers may cross Schengen borders dozens of times annually, often spending only hours or a day in an individual country before returning. The industry argues that international freight drivers should be treated differently because their presence is directly connected to the movement of goods. The issue is particularly important for Montenegro, which imported €2.608 billion of goods between January and July 2026, compared with exports of €312.9 million.
Road transport supports retailers, manufacturers, hotels, construction companies and food distributors, meaning driver shortages can affect the wider economy.
Import Dependence Raises the Stakes
Montenegro relies heavily on imported food, pharmaceuticals, vehicles, machinery, construction materials and consumer goods. Serbia supplied approximately €449.4 million of Montenegrin imports during the first seven months of 2026. China accounted for €338.2 million, while Germany supplied around €239.7 million.
A shortage of international drivers could initially increase transport costs as companies reorganise routes, introduce driver swaps, transfer cargo between trucks or hire additional employees. Smaller operators face greater difficulties because they have fewer vehicles and drivers available for rotation.
Tourism Adds Pressure on Logistics
Tourism further increases the importance of reliable freight services. Hotels and restaurants require regular deliveries of food, beverages, equipment, furniture and other imported goods, particularly during the summer season.
Tourism generates foreign-currency revenue for Montenegro while simultaneously increasing demand for imported products. A disruption in road freight could therefore affect both the availability and cost of supplies used by the hospitality sector.
Montenegrin exporters also depend on predictable transport. Manufacturers and agricultural producers supplying EU customers face potential delays if drivers cannot complete international routes.
Regional Transport Industry Shares Concerns
The planned action involves operators from Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia, reflecting the regional nature of the problem. The Western Balkans are closely integrated with EU supply chains, while professional drivers from the region remain subject to mobility restrictions because their countries are outside the EU. Transport associations have warned that, without a solution, stronger measures including freight-border blockades could return in September.
Driver Shortages Limit Alternative Solutions
Hiring additional drivers could allow companies to rotate employees and compensate for restrictions on individual drivers’ Schengen days. Commercial trucking already faces difficulties attracting workers because of long periods away from home, irregular schedules, border delays and the responsibilities associated with the profession.
Western European hauliers can also offer higher pay, creating incentives for experienced drivers from Montenegro and neighbouring countries to move into EU employment where work and residence arrangements allow. For smaller Montenegrin operators, the loss of a single driver can leave an individual truck idle. Larger logistics companies have more capacity to manage driver rotations, establish subsidiaries and invest in tracking systems.
Rail Provides No Immediate Replacement
A stronger railway network could reduce Montenegro’s reliance on road freight, particularly along the Bar–Belgrade railway. The railway requires substantial modernisation, while infrastructure and reliability constraints limit its ability to immediately replace road transport. Even expanded rail freight would still require trucks for final deliveries.
EU Integration Could Change the Framework
Montenegro’s eventual EU membership would fundamentally alter the legal position of its workers within the Union’s mobility framework, but accession does not provide an immediate solution for transport companies operating today. The sector is seeking arrangements that recognise the specific role of professional drivers in international freight while maintaining existing border and migration controls.
The planned 31 August protest comes as Montenegro’s merchandise trade deficit reached approximately €2.30 billion in January–July 2026, with imports covering only 12% of exports. The transport sector says restrictions affecting professional drivers are increasingly becoming a wider issue for the movement of goods between Montenegro, the Western Balkans and the European Union.
