Bosnia and Herzegovina Visa RequirementsFor United Kingdom passport holders
UK passport holders can enter Bosnia and Herzegovina without a visa for up to 90 days. The country is not part of the Schengen Area, so your stay does not count against the Schengen 90/180-day limit.
Great news! United Kingdom passport holders can enter Bosnia and Herzegovina without a visa for tourism or business purposes. You can stay up to 90 days.
No visa is needed. Present your valid UK passport at the border. Your passport should be valid for at least the duration of your stay. BiH has three international airports: Sarajevo, Mostar, and Banja Luka.
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Current Travel Situation
United Kingdom to Bosnia and Herzegovina: What You Need to Know
Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is a growing tourism destination in the Western Balkans, offering Ottoman heritage in Sarajevo, medieval towns, and stunning natural scenery. British nationals enjoy visa-free access and, because BiH is outside Schengen, a trip here does not reduce your Schengen allocation. The country is an EU candidate state, and entry arrangements may change as accession progresses.
Practical Tips
Sarajevo is a remarkable city where East meets West: Ottoman mosques, Austro-Hungarian architecture, and a moving war history. The siege of Sarajevo during the 1990s conflict is commemorated in powerful museums. Mostar's old bridge (Stari Most) is a UNESCO landmark. The convertible mark (BAM) is pegged to the euro; euros are sometimes informally accepted. The country is very affordable by Western European standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do UK passport holders need a visa for Bosnia and Herzegovina?
No. UK passport holders can enter Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) without a visa for up to 90 days. The country is not part of the Schengen Area, so your stay does not count toward the Schengen 90/180-day limit.
Does visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina affect my Schengen days?
No. Bosnia and Herzegovina is not a Schengen Area member. Days spent in BiH are completely separate from and do not count toward your 90-day Schengen allowance. This makes it an excellent addition to a Balkans trip without affecting European travel plans.
Is it safe to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Sarajevo and most tourist areas are safe. However, some rural areas contain unmarked landmines remaining from the 1990s conflict; stick to marked paths and roads, especially in central and eastern Bosnia. The FCDO advises caution regarding landmine risks in unmarked rural areas. Political tensions between the country's entities can cause occasional unrest but rarely affect tourists.
What language is spoken in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian are all official languages, and they are mutually intelligible. In Sarajevo and tourist areas, English is increasingly spoken, particularly by younger people and in hotels and restaurants. The country uses both the Latin and Cyrillic alphabets.