Germany 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 visit Germany for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa for tourism, business, or family visits. This visa-free access applies since Bosnia joined the Schengen visa-free regime.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the entire stay | Your passport needs to be valid for the entire time you plan to stay in Germany. Germany does not require 6 months of validity beyond your departure date, but your airline might enforce it — check with them before flying. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from the Schengen area | Immigration officers at German 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 — they check this at passport control. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Carry a hotel confirmation, hostel booking, or an invitation letter from your host in Germany. Officers rarely ask for it, but having it ready avoids delays if they do. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself | Have a bank statement or credit card ready showing you have enough money for your stay. There is no fixed amount, but around €45 per day is a safe benchmark — officers may ask at the border. | Recommended |
Track your 90 days carefully
The 90-day limit applies to the entire Schengen Area, not just Germany. If you've already spent time in France, Italy, or any other Schengen country in the past 180 days, those days count toward your total. Use the EU's Schengen calculator app to avoid overstaying.
Border checks may be random
Germany has reintroduced temporary border controls at some land borders (e.g., with Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic). You may be stopped and asked for documents even if traveling by train or car. Always carry your passport and proof of onward travel.
What happens at the border
1
Prepare your documents before you fly
Check your passport validity (6+ months from entry date). Print or save to your phone: return ticket, first night hotel booking, and travel insurance policy. Keep them all in one folder on your phone for quick access.
2
Go through passport control at the airport
At German airports like Frankfurt, Munich, or Berlin, join the 'All Passports' or 'Non-EU' queue. Hand over your passport. The officer may ask: purpose of visit, how long you're staying, where you're staying. Answer briefly and honestly. They rarely ask for supporting documents, but have them ready.
3
Get your entry stamp
The officer will stamp your passport with the entry date. Check the stamp before walking away — make sure it's legible and shows the correct date. If there's no stamp, ask for one (it proves you entered legally).
4
Keep your documents during your stay
Carry a copy of your passport and entry stamp with you. German police can ask for ID at any time. You don't need to carry the original passport, but a photocopy or phone photo is fine.
Download Germany 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:
Schengen Tourist Visa (Single Entry)
Max stay90 days within 180-day period
ValidityUp to 5 years (usually 3-6 months)
Cost€80 (approx. $87 USD)
For longer stays or if visa-free entry is not used. Must apply in advance.
Schengen Tourist Visa (Multiple Entry)
Max stay90 days within 180-day period per visit
ValidityUp to 5 years
Cost€80 (approx. $87 USD)
Ideal for frequent travellers; same fee as single entry.
National Long-Stay Visa (D Visa)
Max stay90 days to 1 year
ValidityUp to 1 year
Cost€75 (approx. $82 USD)
For work, study, or family reunification. Requires sponsorship.
work visa
EU Blue Card
4 years, renewable
€140 (approx. $152 USD)
For highly skilled workers with a job offer in Germany. Requires a university degree and minimum salary threshold. Leads to permanent residency.
Apply student visa
Student Visa (Studium)
Up to 2 years, renewable
€75 (approx. $82 USD)
For full-time university studies. Requires proof of admission and sufficient funds (€11,208/year). Allows part-time work.
Apply digital nomad visa
Freelancer Visa (Freiberufler)
1–3 years, renewable
€100 (approx. $109 USD)
For self-employed professionals in fields like IT, design, or consulting. Requires proof of clients and income. No specific digital nomad visa exists, but this is the closest option.
Apply retirement visa
Retirement Visa (Aufenthaltserlaubnis für Rentner)
1 year, renewable
€100 (approx. $109 USD)
For retirees with sufficient pension or savings. Requires proof of health insurance and accommodation. No age limit, but must show ties to Germany.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)For stays beyond 90 days or if visa is required. | €80 (approx. $87 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Same fee as single entry, valid for up to 5 years for frequent travellers. | €80 (approx. $87 USD) |
| Stay extension costVisa-free stays cannot be extended; must leave Schengen area. | Not applicable |
| Overstay fine per dayFines vary by state; overstays may also lead to entry bans. | €30 per day (max €3,000) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds for stay30%
No return 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 Germany
No transit visa needed
Bosnia and Herzegovina passport holders do not need a transit visa for airside transit through German airports, as they are visa-exempt for short stays. However, if leaving the transit area, a visa-free stay applies.
Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsFrankfurt Airport (FRA) · Munich Airport (MUC) · Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)
Health & vaccines for Germany
Recommended vaccines
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTaP, polio, influenza)EssentialHepatitis ARecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedRabiesConsiderTick-borne encephalitisConsider
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisModerate risk
Risk in forested areas, especially in southern Germany. Vaccination recommended for outdoor activities.
Lyme diseaseModerate risk
Spread by ticks in wooded areas. Use repellent and check for ticks.
Seasonal influenzaLow risk
Common in winter months; vaccination advised for vulnerable groups.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Berlin
Landesamt für Einwanderung Berlin
Friedrich-Krause-Ufer 24, 13353 Berlin
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
For visa extensions or residence permits; appointments required online.
Munich
Kreisverwaltungsreferat München - Ausländerbehörde
Ruppertstraße 19, 80337 München
Mon–Fri 08:00–12:00
Handles long-stay visas and residence matters; bring all documents.
Practical information for BA travellers
Country basics
CapitalBerlin
LanguageGerman
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS license valid for up to 6 months.
Money
CurrencyEuro (EUR)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 0.86 EUR
Time zone
Local timeUTC+1
vs New York+6h (EST) / +6h (EDT)
vs Los Angeles+9h (PST) / +9h (PDT)
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,FType C, F — US plugs (Type A/B) do not fit. Bring a European adapter.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Excellent tap water quality. Safe to drink everywhere.
Emergency numbers
Nearby destinations you can also visit
Countries close to Germany — with your same passport.
Frequently asked questions
No. The 90-day visa-free stay is for tourism, business meetings, family visits, or short-term study. You cannot take up employment or freelance work. If you want to work, you need a work visa or a Blue Card, which you apply for at the German embassy in Sarajevo before traveling.
Generally no. The 90-day limit applies to the entire Schengen Area and cannot be extended for tourism. In exceptional cases (e.g., medical emergency), you can apply at the local Ausländerbehörde (Foreigners' Office) in Germany, but approval is rare. Overstaying can result in fines, deportation, and a ban from re-entering Schengen.
If you stay longer than 90 days, yes — but since your visa-free stay is max 90 days, you generally don't need to register. If you stay in a hotel, they handle registration automatically. If you're in private accommodation, no action needed for short stays.
Overstaying is a violation of German immigration law. You may be fined, deported, and banned from re-entering the Schengen Area for up to 5 years. Always track your days carefully — use the Schengen calculator app to stay within limits.
Yes. You can enter through any Schengen country (e.g., France, Italy, Austria) as long as you stay within the 90/180-day rule. The border officer may ask where you'll be staying — just have your itinerary ready.
No. If you're transiting through a German airport (e.g., Frankfurt) to a non-Schengen destination, you don't need a visa. Stay in the transit area and don't pass through passport control. If your layover requires you to enter Germany (e.g., switching airports), you'll need to meet the visa-free entry conditions.
You will likely be denied boarding by the airline or refused entry at the border. Renew your passport at the nearest embassy or in Bosnia before traveling. A damaged passport (torn pages, water damage) is also grounds for refusal.
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.