EU's new border regime causing delays

About ten days ago, the EU’s Entry-Exit System was introduced, collecting biometric data—facial images and fingerprints—from travellers from non-EU countries at the bloc’s external borders.

HRT visited the Karasovići border crossing between Croatia and Montenegro, where long queues were already a familiar sight even before the new system came into force.

On arrival, passengers are required to exit buses and pass through biometric checks one by one in front of a camera.

“First-time entrants to the Republic of Croatia are exempt from fingerprint collection of the four fingers of the right hand and facial biometrics. However, on exit and every subsequent crossing, third-country nationals must undergo verification, including facial recognition,” said Antun Ljubić, head of the border police service of the Dubrovnik-Neretva Police Administration.

Despite the delays, passengers appear largely patient.

“We were informed about it in advance, so it’s not a problem. It also helps organise passenger flow and identification,” said Sinan from North Macedonia.

“Maybe twenty minutes of waiting. I’ve been through this control a few times already—you just have to accept it,” added Nikola from Montenegro.

Tour bus drivers, however, are more concerned about the summer season.

“We have to wait at the border. We understand passport checks are necessary, but when EU and non-EU buses are mixed, delays become too long—and we have schedules to keep. There should be separate lanes,” said Alex, a German tour bus driver.

“Sometimes I wait four or five hours in a queue. We’ll see what happens in the summer,” added Zdravko, a driver from Montenegro.

For now, traffic is still moving—but slowly. HRT reporter Vicko Dragojević warned that the situation could worsen during peak season.

“At Karasovići, traffic is still running in a single lane. One car after another quickly turns into long queues that can last for hours,” he said.

The long-term solution would be a third lane, but that is not expected anytime soon.

“I know Croatian Motorways has contacted the Ministry of Finance and that the project has been included in planning documents. But it will take time. I fear this new border control system will create additional problems in the meantime,” said Konavle mayor Božo Lasić.

For travellers this summer, patience may be the most important travel document of all.