Practical information Bosnia & Herzegovina

French, Belgian, Swiss and European Union nationals do not need a visa for a tourist stay of less than 90 days. A valid passport for at least six months after your return date is sufficient. No prior formalities are required; you will receive an entry stamp at Sarajevo, Tuzla or Mostar airport, or at land border crossings with Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro. If you are traveling with minors, bring your family record book in case of inspection. For longer stays or business travel, a specific application must be submitted to the embassy. Our team systematically verifies the validity of your passport at the time of booking.

No vaccines are mandatory to enter Bosnia and Herzegovina. The country has a health profile similar to the rest of Europe. However, we recommend staying up to date with universal vaccines: diphtheria-tetanus-poliomyelitis, measles-mumps-rubella, hepatitis B. Hepatitis A is advised for long stays or travel to rural areas. For hikers and campers between April and October, tick-borne encephalitis is worth discussing with your doctor, as the forests of Sutjeska and Krajina harbour active ticks. Rabies remains occasional in rural areas, so exercise caution with stray dogs. No malaria or dengue. Consult an international vaccination centre six weeks before departure.

Count between 60 and 90 euros per day and per person excluding international flights, for mid-range comfort. Accommodation is the main expense: 40 to 70 euros for a double room in a family guesthouse, 80 to 120 euros in a 3 or 4-star hotel in Sarajevo or Mostar. A full meal in a traditional restaurant costs 12-18 euros, a ćevapi with a drink around 7 euros. Bosnian coffee costs 1.50 to 2 euros. Count on 50 to 80 euros per day for a car with driver, 30 euros for rental only. Site entrance fees are around 3 to 8 euros. Keep cash for outside the major cities, as some shops only accept the mark.

The two best windows are May-June and September-October. Spring offers mild temperatures of 18 to 24°C, lush nature, and swollen rivers for rafting. Autumn captivates with its vibrant colors in central Bosnia and still bright days. July and August are hot, 32-35°C in Herzegovina, more breathable in Sarajevo around 28°C, but tourist sites become crowded. Winter from December to March suits skiing on Jahorina or Bjelašnica and the snowy atmosphere of Sarajevo's old town, but some mountain roads close. November and March remain less favorable, with alternating rain and gray days.

The railway network is poorly developed, with only a few lines operating such as Sarajevo-Mostar, slow but scenic. Buses serve all cities adequately, expect 12 km (6 €) for Sarajevo-Mostar in 3 hours. Car rental remains the most flexible option: asphalt roads in good condition on main routes, but winding and slow in the mountains. Sarajevo-Banja Luka takes 4.5 hours for 300 km. Signage alternates between Latin and Cyrillic alphabet depending on whether you're crossing the Federation or Republika Srpska. Our agency favors cars with English-speaking drivers, more comfortable for combined itineraries. In Sarajevo, trams and taxis work well, but Uber-type apps don't exist.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is among the safest countries in the Balkans. Crime targeting tourists remains very low, with occasional pickpocketing in crowded areas of Baščaršija or Mostar Bridge during peak season. Cities can be explored peacefully at any time. The only point of caution concerns mined areas dating from the 1992-1995 conflict. They are now marked by red signs and concentrated in well-identified rural or mountainous sectors. Stay on marked trails when hiking and never leave paths in forests without a local guide. Our team in Sarajevo works with trained guides who know the demined areas precisely.