The Bajakovo-Batrovci crossing between Croatia and Serbia experienced severe congestion on Saturday as peak summer holiday travel overwhelmed the major border crossing between the two Balkan nations. Motorists reported wait times reaching up to eight hours, with vehicle queues extending approximately seven kilometers in temperatures exceeding 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
Traffic moved in both directions, as many travelers from Serbia were heading into Croatia, which remains a popular tourist destination in the region. The congestion began on Friday and persisted through the weekend, affecting numerous holidaymakers who described experiencing fatigue, hunger, and thirst during their extended waits at the crossing.
Border traffic between European Union member Croatia and non-EU member Serbia typically increases significantly during holiday weekends, with Aug. 1 representing a particularly busy period when summer tourist flows from various European countries and neighboring regions converge at this crossing. Some travelers noted they had never experienced such delays at this location before.
The prolonged queues coincided with the operational use of the European Union’s Entry-Exit System, a biometric screening mechanism designed to replace traditional passport stamping. The system has been in use since April, though authorities have suspended it in some locations to expedite processing of non-EU travelers. It remains unclear whether the biometric screening system contributed to the extended delays observed at the border during this period.
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