Professional drivers from Bosnia and Herzegovina may apply for a Croatian long-stay visa D from 23 September 2026.

It allows certain truck and bus drivers to be granted stay in Croatia for up to 365 days, which should facilitate regular transport between the 2 countries. According to the official instructions of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia, this option applies under clearly defined conditions and does not grant the right to the same stay in other Schengen countries.

Of course, this option also covers other drivers from third countries who do not need a short-stay visa to enter Croatia, for example from Serbia, Montenegro and North Macedonia, and not only those from BiH.

What is actually changing?

Drivers from BiH with a biometric passport have so far had to observe the limit of 90 days in any 180-day period during short stays. Stay across the entire Schengen area is counted, so crossing from Croatia into Slovenia or Austria does not start a new calculation.

For someone who travels occasionally, that limit may not be a major problem. For a driver who regularly delivers goods, however, the days add up through work. Stay is counted, not just the time spent behind the wheel.

The new visa allows a longer stay in Croatia for the transport for which it was issued. Still, 365 days is the maximum possible duration, and how much will be granted to an individual driver depends on the submitted documentation.

It is not enough just to have a driving licence

The option is intended for drivers from third countries who do not need a short-stay visa to enter Croatia.

A truck driver must be employed by a carrier in a third country and engaged in delivering products or materials to Croatia or from Croatia to a third country. It is also necessary to prove business cooperation with a company from Croatia.

For bus drivers, the condition is work on regular international routes between Croatia and a third country. The mere fact that someone professionally drives a truck or bus is therefore not sufficient to obtain this visa.

Relief for deliveries to Croatia, old rules for travel to Germany

The most important restriction concerns the destination of the transport. A Croatian visa D issued to this category of drivers cannot be used as a basis for entry and stay in other Schengen countries.

For example, a driver transporting goods via Croatia to Germany is still subject to the 90 days in 180 days rule. The Croatian visa therefore does not solve the problem for carriers whose routes are predominantly directed toward other European markets.

It also cannot be used for tourist travel or private visits. The Ministry warns that use contrary to the purpose of issuance may lead to its revocation or cancellation.

How much does it cost and what should be prepared?

The visa fee amounts to 93 euros. Along with a completed application, a valid passport and a photograph, proof of the driver's qualifications, employment and specific transport is required.

For truck transport, these may include a business cooperation agreement, a transport order and an international consignment note CMR. For bus routes, documents such as a timetable, route agreement or work order are required.

Travel health insurance is also required for the entire intended period of stay, with coverage of at least 30,000 euros. The application must be submitted in person before entering Croatia, no earlier than 2 months and no later than 30 days before the planned start of transport.

A useful step forward, but the problem is not solved for everyone

For carriers that regularly do business with Croatia, the new option should make it easier to assign drivers and plan deliveries. However, drivers who continue on to Slovenia, Austria or Germany must still keep track of how many days they have spent in Schengen. Croatia has enabled a longer stay for certain transports, while a broader solution for international drivers is still lacking.