Bosnia and Herzegovina entry requirements for Bulgaria 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
Bulgarian passport holders can enter Bosnia and Herzegovina without a visa for stays up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This has been the case since 2010 and remains unchanged for 2026. Just make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of your stay | Your Bulgarian passport needs to be valid only for the period you plan to stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina. No minimum validity beyond your departure date is required by law, but airlines sometimes enforce a 3-month rule — check with your carrier before flying. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from Bosnia and Herzegovina | Immigration officers at Sarajevo and Banja Luka airports routinely ask for a return or onward ticket. Have a printed or digital copy ready — they check this before stamping you in. | Recommended |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Carry a printed hotel confirmation or a letter from your host with their address and contact number. Officers rarely ask, but having it avoids delays if they do. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself during the stay | Have a bank statement or cash equivalent to roughly 50 EUR per day of your stay. Officers almost never check this for Bulgarian passport holders, but it's a legal requirement on paper. | Recommended |
Passport validity counts from entry date
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the day you arrive in Bosnia and Herzegovina, not from your departure date. If it expires sooner, renew it before you go.
No extension possible
The 90-day visa-free stay cannot be extended. You must leave after 90 days and cannot re-enter for another 90 days. Overstaying can lead to fines and a re-entry ban.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at border
At Sarajevo Airport or any land border crossing, join the queue for non-EU/non-Schengen passports. Have your passport and return ticket ready.
2
Present documents
Hand over your passport. The officer may ask for your return ticket and accommodation details. Answer clearly. They usually don't ask many questions for Bulgarian passport holders.
3
Receive entry stamp
The officer stamps your passport with the date of entry and the allowed stay (usually 90 days). Check the stamp before walking away — if it's wrong, ask them to correct it immediately.
4
Collect luggage and exit
After passport control, collect your bags from the carousel and walk through customs. Green channel if you have nothing to declare, red channel if you do.
Download Bosnia and Herzegovina Entry Checklist
PDF · Bulgaria 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
Cost~€35 (approx. $38 USD)
For those who need a visa or want a longer stay; apply at Bosnian embassy.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity6 months to 1 year
Cost~€70 (approx. $76 USD)
Allows multiple entries; useful for frequent travellers.
Long-stay visa (D visa)
Max stayUp to 1 year
Validity1 year
Cost~€100 (approx. $109 USD)
For work, study, or family reunification; requires sponsorship.
work visa
Work Permit (Boravak i rad)
1 year, renewable
~€100 (approx. $109 USD) + employer fees
For those with a job offer from a Bosnian employer. Requires employer sponsorship and approval from the employment agency.
student visa
Student Visa (Dozvola boravka za studente)
1 year, renewable annually
~€50 (approx. $54 USD)
For enrollment in a recognized Bosnian university. Requires proof of acceptance and sufficient funds.
family reunification visa
Family Reunification Visa
1 year, renewable
~€70 (approx. $76 USD)
For spouses, children, or parents of Bosnian citizens or residents. Requires proof of relationship and accommodation.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Stay extensionVisa-free stay is not extendable; you must leave after 90 days. | Not available |
| Tourist visa (single entry)For those who need a visa or want a longer stay; apply at embassy. | ~€35 (approx. $38 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Allows multiple entries within validity; apply at embassy. | ~€70 (approx. $76 USD) |
| Overstay fineOverstay is penalized; avoid by leaving on time. | ~€50 per day (max €500) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
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 Bosnia and Herzegovina
No transit visa needed
Bulgarian passport holders do not need a transit visa for airside transit through Bosnia and Herzegovina airports.
Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsSarajevo International Airport (SJJ) · Banja Luka International Airport (BNX) · Mostar International Airport (OMO)
Health & vaccines for Bosnia and Herzegovina
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, influenza)EssentialHepatitis BRecommendedRabiesConsider
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisModerate risk
Present in forested areas; vaccination recommended for rural travel.
Food and waterborne diseasesLow risk
Standard hygiene precautions are sufficient.
Air pollutionLow risk
Urban areas may have moderate pollution; generally not a concern for short stays.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Sarajevo
Sector for Foreigners, Ministry of Security
Trg BiH 1, 71000 Sarajevo
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30
Handles visa extensions and residence permits; bring all documents.
Banja Luka
Regional Office for Foreigners
Kralja Petra I Karađorđevića 79, 78000 Banja Luka
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30
For visa-related issues in Republika Srpska.
Practical information for BG travellers
Country basics
CapitalSarajevo
LanguageBosnian, Croatian, Serbian
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US driver's license for up to 90 days; an International Driving Permit is recommended.
Money
CurrencyBosnia and Herzegovina convertible mark (BAM)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 1.68 BAM
Time zone
Local timeUTC+1
vs New York+6h
vs Los Angeles+9h
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,FType C (two round pins) and Type F (two round pins with grounding clips)
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Tap water is generally safe to drink in major cities, but may have a mineral taste.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
No. The visa-free stay is not extendable. You must leave after 90 days and cannot re-enter for another 90 days to reset the clock. Overstaying can result in fines or a ban.
You'll likely be denied entry. The 6-month validity rule is strictly enforced. Renew your passport before traveling.
No, not for Bulgarian citizens. The registration is handled by your accommodation provider (hotel, hostel, etc.) within 24 hours of your arrival. If you're staying with friends or family, they need to register you at the local police station.
No. The visa-free stay is for tourism, business meetings, or family visits only. Any paid work requires a separate work permit.
You'll be fined and may be banned from re-entering Bosnia and Herzegovina for a period. The fine amount depends on how long you overstayed, but it's best to avoid it entirely.
No. Bulgarian passport holders do not need a visa for transit, as long as you stay in the airport transit area and don't enter the country. If you need to leave the airport, you'll need to follow the same visa-free rules.
Yes. If you need to stay longer than 90 days (e.g., for study, work, or family reunification), you must apply for a temporary residence permit at the nearest Bosnian embassy or consulate before traveling. This is a separate process from the visa-free entry.
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.