At the European Commission’s midday press conference on 23 September, officials confirmed that DG HOME is “exploring targeted visa solutions” for professional truck drivers from Western Balkan countries who exceed the Schengen 90/180-day limit due to continuous cabotage runs. The issue was flagged under the ‘Schengen – visas for truck drivers’ segment of the briefing. Belgian logistics companies have been among the most vocal in Brussels, warning that the supply-chain crunch caused by the new digital Entry/Exit System (EES) could intensify driver shortages. Hauliers employing Serbian or Bosnian drivers currently juggle multiple national long-stay visas to keep drivers on EU roads year-round – an administrative maze that adds weeks of downtime. Commission spokespeople said proposals range from a multi-entry national-long-stay visa template that members could mutually recognise, to an amendment of the Schengen Visa Code creating an occupational mobility endorsement. Any scheme would need unanimous backing in Council and could be piloted as early as mid-2027. For Belgian importers and retailers the stakes are high: around 30 % of trucks entering the Port of Antwerp are operated by Western Balkan drivers. If a streamlined visa is approved, employers could cut compliance costs and reduce the risk of fines for overstays. Stakeholders are invited to submit feedback during a four-week consultation that opens on 1 October.
