The Bajakovo-Batrovci border crossing between Croatia and Serbia experienced severe congestion on Saturday as peak summer holiday traffic created extended delays for motorists in both directions. Vehicles heading from Croatia into Serbia encountered queues stretching up to seven kilometers, with some travelers waiting as long as eight hours to cross. The conditions were compounded by exceptionally hot weather, with temperatures exceeding 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
Traffic moved heavily in both directions during the period, as holidaymakers traveled from Serbia into Croatia, which remains a popular tourist destination in the region. The delays began the previous day on Friday, creating challenging conditions for travelers attempting to transit the crossing. Multiple motorists reported experiencing exhaustion and physical strain from the extended wait times.
Border traffic between European Union member Croatia and non-EU member Serbia typically increases significantly during holiday weekends and traditionally peaks on August 1, when summer tourist flows from across Europe and neighboring countries converge at the crossing. The congestion coincided with continued use of the European Union’s Entry-Exit System, a biometric screening platform designed to replace traditional passport stamping procedures that has been operational since April. The role of the new screening system in contributing to the extended processing times remained unclear, although the system has been temporarily suspended in other countries to expedite throughput for non-EU travelers.
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