Belgium entry requirements for Bosnia and Herzegovina passport holders
Checked daily · Updated June 1, 2026·View sources
No visa required
90 days
Max stay
90 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Bosnia and Herzegovina passport holders can travel to Belgium visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This covers tourism, business meetings, or family visits. No visa is needed for stays under 90 days in 2026.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the entire stay in Belgium | Your passport must be valid for the entire time you plan to stay in Belgium. Schengen rules do not require 6 months of validity beyond your departure date, but some airlines may enforce this — check with your carrier before flying. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from the Schengen area | Immigration officers at Belgian airports routinely ask for a return or onward ticket showing you leave the Schengen zone within 90 days. Have a printed or digital copy ready — budget airlines often check this at check-in too. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Belgian border officers may ask where you're staying. Carry a hotel confirmation, Airbnb receipt, or a signed letter from your host with their address and contact number. Not always checked, but easy to provide. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself during the stay | You need roughly €45–€55 per day of your stay in Belgium, depending on accommodation. A recent bank statement, credit card, or cash works. Officers rarely ask, but having a statement ready avoids delays. | Recommended |
90-day Schengen limit applies across all 29 countries
Your 90-day visa-free stay is for the entire Schengen area, not just Belgium. If you've already spent time in France, Germany, or any other Schengen country, that counts toward your 90 days. Track your days carefully — overstaying can lead to fines, deportation, or a re-entry ban.
Entry may be refused without a return ticket
Even though it's visa-free, border officers can and do ask for proof of onward travel. Airlines also check this before boarding. Have a printed or digital copy of your return or onward ticket ready.
What happens at the border
1
Arrival at Belgian airport or border
When you land at Brussels Airport (BRU) or Charleroi (CRL), follow signs to 'Passport Control' for non-EU citizens. Join the queue for 'All Passports' or 'Non-EU'.
2
Present your documents
Hand over your passport. The officer may ask: purpose of visit, length of stay, where you're staying, and return ticket. Answer clearly and briefly. They may also ask to see your return ticket or accommodation booking.
3
Get your entry stamp
If everything is in order, the officer will stamp your passport with the entry date. This stamp marks the start of your 90-day Schengen stay. Keep the stamp visible — it's your proof of legal entry.
4
Collect luggage and exit
After passport control, proceed to baggage claim, then customs. Unless you have something to declare, walk through the green 'Nothing to Declare' channel.
Download Belgium Entry Checklist
PDF · Bosnia and Herzegovina Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated June 1, 2026
Overstay calculator
Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
For those who need a visa or want to stay longer than 90 days. Apply at Belgian embassy in Sarajevo.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity1 year (or up to 5 years with good travel history)
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
Allows multiple entries; same fee as single entry. Requires proof of previous travel.
Long-stay visa (D visa)
Max stayOver 90 days (up to 1 year)
Validity1 year, renewable
Cost€180 (~$196 USD)
For work, study, or family reunification. Requires sponsorship and additional documents.
work visa
Belgian Work Visa (Single Permit)
1 year, renewable
€180 (~$196 USD) application fee
For employed workers with a job offer from a Belgian employer. Requires work permit approval and proof of qualifications. Allows family reunification.
Apply student visa
Belgian Student Visa (D visa)
1 year, renewable annually
€180 (~$196 USD) application fee
For full-time students enrolled at a recognized Belgian institution. Requires proof of enrollment, sufficient funds, and health insurance. Allows part-time work.
Apply family reunification
Family Reunification Visa
1 year, renewable
€180 (~$196 USD) application fee
For spouses, children, or dependent relatives of Belgian residents or citizens. Requires proof of relationship and adequate housing. Leads to permanent residence.
Apply investor visa
Belgian Investor Visa (Professional Card)
1 year, renewable
€1,200 (~$1,308 USD) application fee
For entrepreneurs investing at least €500,000 in a Belgian business. Requires a detailed business plan and job creation. Fast-track to permanent residence.
Apply Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)For stays longer than 90 days or if visa is required. Apply at Belgian embassy. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Same fee as single entry, but allows multiple entries within validity. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Stay extension costVisa-free stays cannot be extended. Must leave Schengen area. | Not applicable |
| Overstay fine per dayOverstay penalties are enforced by Belgian immigration; may include entry ban. | €100–€500 per day (estimated, max cap varies) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds for stay30%
No return or onward ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Belgium
No transit visa needed
Bosnia and Herzegovina passport holders do not need a transit visa to change planes at Belgian airports, as they are visa-free for short stays. However, if you need to leave the airport or have a layover over 24 hours, you must meet standard entry requirements.
Airside transitAllowed
Exceptions & conditions
- No transit visa needed for visa-free nationals
- Holders of valid US, UK, or Schengen visas may transit without visa even if from a visa-required country
Transit hubsBrussels Airport (BRU) · Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL) · Antwerp International Airport (ANR)
Health & vaccines for Belgium
Recommended vaccines
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTaP, polio, varicella, influenza)EssentialHepatitis ARecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedRabies (for outdoor or animal contact)ConsiderTick-borne encephalitis (if hiking in forested areas)Consider
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisLow risk
Rare but present in wooded areas; use insect repellent and check for ticks.
Lyme diseaseLow risk
Transmitted by ticks in rural areas; early treatment with antibiotics effective.
Seasonal influenzaModerate risk
Common in winter months; vaccination recommended.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Brussels
Immigration Office (Dienst Vreemdelingenzaken)
Chaussée de Louvain 59, 1210 Brussels
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30
Main office for visa and residence permit issues. Appointments required for most services.
Antwerp
Antwerp Immigration Office
Koningin Astridplein 27, 2018 Antwerp
Mon–Fri 09:00–12:00, 13:00–16:00
Handles local residence permits and extensions for Antwerp region.
Practical information for BA travellers
Country basics
CapitalBrussels
LanguageDutch, French, German
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US driver's license for up to 90 days.
Money
CurrencyEuro (EUR)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 0.86 EUR
Time zone
Local timeUTC+1
vs New York+6h
vs Los Angeles+9h
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,EType C (two round pins) and Type E (two round pins with a hole for the male grounding pin)
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Tap water is safe to drink throughout Belgium.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
No, not as a tourist. The 90-day limit applies to the entire Schengen area. For longer stays (work, study, family reunification), you need a national visa or residence permit from the Belgian embassy in Sarajevo before you travel.
No, if you stay in the international transit area and don't enter the Schengen zone. You can transit through Brussels Airport without a visa. But if you need to change airports or leave the transit area, you'll need a short-stay visa.
You'll likely be denied boarding by the airline or refused entry at the border. Renew your passport before traveling. The 6-month rule is strictly enforced for non-EU citizens.
Extensions are not granted for tourism. Only in exceptional circumstances (force majeure, humanitarian reasons) can you apply at the local commune (gemeente/commune) for an extension. You must apply before your 90 days expire.
If you stay less than 90 days, no registration is needed. If you stay longer (with a visa or permit), you must register at the local town hall within 8 days of arrival.
Always carry your passport. Police can ask for ID at any time. A photocopy is not enough — you need the original. Keep a digital copy as backup.
Technically, the visa-free stay is for tourism, business meetings, or family visits — not for remote work for a foreign employer. Belgian immigration doesn't actively enforce this for short stays, but it's a grey area. If you plan to work, check with the Belgian embassy.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on June 1, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.