Croatia Opens EU's First Long-Stay Visa for Professional Drivers
Updated: 8 minutes ago
ZAGREB, September 25, 2026 — Croatia has become the first European Union member state to open a special visa regime for professional bus and truck drivers from third countries, accepting applications for one-year Type D visas from 23 September 2026.
The measure responds to the rollout of the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES), which caps third-country drivers at 90 days of stay within the Schengen area in any 180-day period — a rule that has disrupted supply chains and international transport operations across the Western Balkans .
Who Qualifies
The visa applies to professional drivers from third countries whose citizens do not otherwise require a short-stay visa to enter Croatia. This covers all Western Balkan countries and other states with visa-waiver arrangements .
Category | Details |
Eligible Drivers | Professional truck and bus drivers from visa-exempt third countries |
Eligible Companies | Firms registered in third countries transporting goods to, from, or through Croatia |
Countries Covered | All Western Balkan states and other visa-exempt nations |
What the Type D Visa Provides
The long-stay visa offers a significant administrative advantage for drivers whose work requires frequent border crossings.
Feature | Details |
Validity | Up to 365 days (one year) |
Entries | Single or multiple entry |
Territory Covered | Croatia only — not other Schengen member states |
Work Authorization | No separate work permit required |
Residence Registration | Not required |
Drivers continuing into other Schengen states or transiting through Croatia to reach other EU destinations remain subject to the 90/180-day rule. Croatian border police will register their entry and exit in the EES system, where days spent in other Schengen countries are counted toward the limit .
Application Process
Applications are submitted via the Crovisa online system, and then an in-person appointment at a Croatian embassy or consulate is required.
Aspect | Details |
Application Window | No earlier than 2 months and no later than 30 days before the planned transport job |
Processing Time | Up to 45 days |
Initial Daily Cap | 15 applications per location per day |
Visa Fee | €93 |
Submission Locations | Croatian Embassy in Sarajevo, Belgrade, or relevant consulates |
The daily cap will be raised gradually as the electronic system is fully adapted .
Required Documentation
Drivers must submit a comprehensive file demonstrating their professional status and the business link between their employer and a Croatian entity .
Document | Details |
Visa Application Form | Completed and signed Type D form |
Passport | Valid travel document |
Photograph | 35 x 45 mm |
Driver's Licence | Category C/CE for truck drivers |
Employment Proof | Work contract and pension insurance certificate |
Business Cooperation | Contract or delivery agreement with a Croatian legal entity |
Transport Assignment | CMR waybill or transport order |
Travel Health Insurance | Minimum €30,000 coverage, valid across the Schengen area |
Industry Reaction
Transport associations across the Western Balkans have welcomed the measure as an important first step, though they caution it is not a complete solution.
Edin Forto, the Minister of Communications and Transport for Bosnia and Herzegovina, stated:
"This is the initial tangible step that can simplify life for our drivers. We anticipate that other European Union nations will emulate Croatia's model, as we require a solution that enables our drivers to perform their duties without hindrances."
Hidajet Muratović of the BiH Logistics Consortium noted the practical limitation:
"This provides relief for routes to Zagreb, Rijeka, or the Port of Ploče. However, what about the hundreds of our trucks transporting industrial exports to Slovenia, Germany, Austria, Italy, Poland, and other Schengen countries? For these trucks, the clock starts the moment they cross our border, and absolutely nothing has changed."
The Broader Context
The EES, which became fully operational in April 2026, replaced manual passport stamping with digital registration for all non-EU travellers. For professional drivers who cross borders daily, the system quickly consumes their allowed 90 days, leading to blockades, deportations, and disrupted supply chains .
The European Commission has declined to change the Schengen rules for drivers, leaving bilateral agreements between individual member states and Western Balkan countries as the only available path forward. North Macedonia's Transport Minister has confirmed that similar deals have been reached with Switzerland and Romania, with negotiations underway with Austria, Germany, Hungary, and Slovenia .
Croatia's move is being watched closely as a potential model for other EU member states .
Read Also
Quick Reference Summary
Aspect | Details |
Visa Type | Type D long-stay visa |
Launch Date | 23 September 2026 |
Validity | Up to 365 days |
Territory | Croatia only |
Fee | €93 |
Processing | Up to 45 days |
Initial Cap | 15 applications per location per day |
Application Window | From 2 months to 30 days prior to transport |
Schengen Rule | 90/180 still applies outside Croatia |
Read Also
Official Resources
Resource | Link |
Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs | |
Croatian Embassy in Sarajevo | |
Crovisa System |
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