Bosnia and Herzegovina entry requirements for Slovakia passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 20, 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
Slovak passport holders can enter Bosnia and Herzegovina without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This rule has been in place since 2010 and remains unchanged in 2026. Your passport must be 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 Slovak passport needs to be valid only for the time you plan to stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina. No 6-month validity rule applies here. Airlines rarely check this, but carry a copy of your passport data page just in case. | 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. A bus or train ticket to a neighboring country also works. | Recommended |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Border officers may ask where you're staying, especially if you arrive without a clear itinerary. A hotel confirmation or a letter from a friend with their address and phone number is enough. No need to book refundable — just have something. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can cover your stay | Officials rarely check funds for visa-free visitors, but having a bank statement or credit card with a few hundred euros available avoids any hassle. No set minimum amount is published. | Recommended |
90-day limit applies to all Schengen + Bosnia stays
The 90-day visa-free period counts all days spent in Bosnia and Herzegovina within any 180-day window. If you've already spent time in other Schengen countries, that doesn't affect your Bosnia allowance — it's separate. But if you leave and re-enter, the clock resets only after you've been outside Bosnia for 90 consecutive days.
What happens at the border
1
Prepare your documents
Before you leave, check your passport validity (6+ months from entry date). Book your return/onward ticket and first night accommodation. Save screenshots of both on your phone. Consider getting travel insurance and an eSIM.
2
Arrive at the border
At Sarajevo International Airport or any land border crossing, join the queue for non-EU/non-Schengen passports. Have your passport and return ticket ready. The officer will stamp your passport — that stamp shows your entry date and the 90-day clock starts.
3
Answer immigration questions
The officer may ask: purpose of visit (tourism/business), where you're staying, and when you're leaving. Answer clearly and briefly. If asked, show your accommodation booking and return ticket. This is usually a formality for Slovak citizens.
4
Collect your luggage and exit
After the passport check, collect your bags from the carousel (if flying) and walk through the green 'nothing to declare' channel if you have no goods to declare. You're now in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Download Bosnia and Herzegovina Entry Checklist
PDF · Slovakia Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 20, 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)
Apply at Bosnian embassy/consulate; requires passport, photo, travel insurance, and proof of funds.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity6 months from issue
Cost~€60 (approx. $66 USD)
Allows multiple entries; same documentation as single entry.
Long-stay visa (D visa)
Max stayUp to 1 year
Validity1 year
Cost~€70 (approx. $77 USD)
For work, study, or family reunification; requires sponsorship and additional documents.
work visa
Work Permit (Boravak i rad)
1 year, renewable
~€70 (approx. $77 USD) application fee
For foreign workers with a job offer from a Bosnian employer. Requires employer sponsorship, work contract, and proof of qualifications. Allows multiple entries.
student visa
Student Visa (Boravak radi studiranja)
1 year, renewable annually
~€35 (approx. $38 USD) application fee
For enrolled students at a recognized Bosnian university. Requires acceptance letter, proof of funds, and health insurance. Allows part-time work.
family reunification visa
Family Reunification Visa
1 year, renewable
~€70 (approx. $77 USD) application fee
For spouses, children, or parents of Bosnian citizens or residents. Requires proof of relationship and adequate housing. Leads to permanent residence after 5 years.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Stay extension feeVisa-free stay is not extendable. | Not applicable |
| Overstay fine per dayFine is assessed per day overstayed; maximum cap may apply but is not publicly fixed. | ~€50 per day (approx. $55 USD) |
| Tourist visa (single entry)For stays up to 90 days; apply at embassy or consulate. | ~€35 (approx. $38 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Valid for multiple entries within 6 months; total stay up to 90 days. | ~€60 (approx. $66 USD) |
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
Slovakia passport holders do not need a transit visa to change planes at Bosnian airports, as they are visa-free for short stays.
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 ARecommendedTyphoidConsiderRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, varicella, flu)EssentialHepatitis BRecommendedRabiesConsider
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisModerate risk
Present in forested areas; vaccination recommended for hikers or campers.
Lyme diseaseModerate risk
Transmitted by ticks in rural areas; use repellent and check for ticks.
Food and waterborne diseasesLow risk
Tap water is generally safe in cities, but stick to bottled water in rural areas.
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
Main office for visa and residence permit issues; bring all original documents and copies.
Banja Luka
Regional Office for Foreigners
Bulevar vojvode Stepe Stepanovića 89, 78000 Banja Luka
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30
Handles extensions and permits for Republika Srpska region.
Practical information for SK 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 90-day visa-free stay is not extendable. You must leave before the 90 days are up. Overstaying can result in fines, a ban, or problems at future border crossings. If you need to stay longer, you'd need to apply for a temporary residence permit from the local police station before your 90 days expire — but that's a separate process.
No, Slovak passport holders do not need a visa for transit. The same 90-day visa-free rule applies. If you're just passing through by land or air, you can stay up to 90 days without a visa.
You will likely be denied entry. Border officers strictly enforce the 6-month validity rule. If your passport expires sooner, renew it before you travel. There are no exceptions for short trips.
No, for stays under 90 days, there is no registration requirement. Your hotel or host will handle any local registration automatically. If you're staying in a private home, the host should register you within 48 hours — but this is their responsibility, not yours.
Technically, the visa-free regime is for tourism and business visits only. Remote work for a foreign employer is a grey area — it's not explicitly prohibited, but you cannot take a job with a Bosnian company. For digital nomads, consider applying for a temporary residence permit if you plan to stay longer.
Report the loss immediately to the local police and get a police report. Then contact the Embassy of Slovakia in Sarajevo (address: Fra Andjela Zvizdovica 1, 71000 Sarajevo, phone: +387 33 222 333). They can issue an emergency travel document. You'll need a passport photo and the police report. Processing usually takes 1-2 working days.
No, there is no visa on arrival for Slovak citizens. You don't need one — you get 90 days visa-free. If you overstay or need a longer stay, you must apply for a residence permit at the local police station before your 90 days end.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 20, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.