Serbia and Bulgaria have signed a memorandum to establish a new joint border crossing between Gradina 2 and Kalotina 2, targeting improved traffic flows on one of the key transport routes connecting the two countries.
The agreement was signed on 9 July by Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dačić and Bulgarian Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev. The planned facility is designed to reduce congestion at the existing border crossing located on the route between Niš and Sofia.
New Facility Planned for Serbia-Bulgaria Transport Corridor
The current Gradina–Kalotina border crossing handled more than 5 million passengers and around 2 million vehicles during 2025, creating significant pressure on existing infrastructure.
The proposed Gradina 2–Kalotina 2 crossing is expected to introduce joint border controls and reduce duplicated procedures carried out by Serbian and Bulgarian authorities. The planned operational model is intended to improve the efficiency of passenger and freight movements between the two countries. No information has been disclosed regarding the project’s construction cost, financing model or a binding completion and commissioning schedule. The memorandum currently represents a planning and policy step rather than a defined infrastructure investment programme.
Corridor Links Serbia with Eastern Markets
The economic importance of the project is connected to the role of the Gradina–Kalotina route as a major transport link between Serbia, Bulgaria, Turkey and markets further east. Improved border capacity and shorter waiting times could support road freight operators, industrial exporters, tourism-related traffic and logistics companies, particularly during periods of increased seasonal demand.
Future implementation steps are expected to include site design activities, agreements on customs and police operating procedures, procurement processes and the allocation of construction financing.
