Europe

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Still current at: 03 December 2008

Updated: 27 October 2008

Terrorism

There is an underlying threat from terrorism in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. 

 

On 9 October 2008, an explosive device went off in the FIS Shopping centre in the central Bosnian town of Vitez. One person was killed and three people sustained injuries. Several suspects have been detained for questioning by the Bosnian authorities.

 

For more general information see Terrorism Abroad. 

Crime

The level of crime is low, and crime against foreigners is particularly low.  You should be aware of pickpockets in the tourist and pedestrian areas of Sarajevo and on public transport.  There have been a number of thefts from "locked" sleeping compartments on the overnight train.  You should ensure that the compartment door is properly locked and that all valuables are placed out of sight or well away from the door.  You should also be aware that excessive displays of wealth, including large quantities of cash or jewellery and luxury vehicles can make you a target for opportunist thieves.  You should remain vigilant and ensure personal belongings, passports and other travel documents are secure.

All incidents of crime should be reported to the local police station and a report obtained.  The loss or theft of a passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the British Embassy in Sarajevo.  The Embassy can assist you in obtaining a replacement passport (see General section).

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

Political Situation

Bosnia & Herzegovina Country Profile

There is also a small risk of isolated violence linked to the return of displaced persons or the arrest of war crimes suspects.  This can occur without any warning anywhere in the country.

 

Following Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008 there have been a number of small demonstrations across the Republika Srpska, some targeted at Western interests. A larger protest took place in Banja Luka on 21 February, which was successfully controlled by the police. On 26 February there was a large demonstration in Banja Luka and another large demonstration took place in Banja Luka on 27 March. There remains a risk of further, smaller demonstrations across the Republika Srpska. You should remain vigilant and avoid large crowds or public demonstrations.

Local Travel

 

There continues to be a widespread danger of landmines and other unexploded ordnance from the 1992-95 war.  Highly populated areas and major routes are now clear of mines and are safe to visit. But although the tarmaced roads themselves may be clear on major routes, there are many landmines close to the edge of roads.  You should therefore be careful not to stray from roads and paved areas without an experienced guide. Unless you have an experienced guide, you should also avoid the open countryside and especially avoid destroyed or abandoned buildings and abandoned villages. Abandoned buildings, even in the towns or cities may be booby trapped with mines.  For further information, check the Mine Action Centre at: http://www.bhmac.org.

English is not widely spoken but getting around is not difficult.  Local rail, bus and tram services are generally reliable if sometimes slow.  Taxis in Sarajevo and the major towns are well-regulated, metered and generally safe to use.  It is however, still advisable to look for taxi stands to ensure that you are using an official taxi driver.  Taxi drivers from the Republika Srpska might be unwilling to drive to a destination in the Federation, and vice versa.

Road Travel

You must have a valid international driving licence or a UK photocard driving licence with your image and signature to drive in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

If you are driving to or through Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the 20km strip of coastline at Neum on the Dalmatian coastal highway, you should ensure that your Green Card includes cover for Bosnia and Herzegovina.  If this is not the case, temporary third-party insurance can be purchased at the main border posts, or in Split and other large Croatian cities.  Insurance cannot be obtained at the Neum border.  You should also ensure that you have all original registration and ownership papers relating to your vehicle with you as border guards, customs or the insurance company may want to see them.

Traffic laws and regulations in Bosnia and Herzegovina are similar to those of other western European countries.  Details are available on AA and RAC websites.  Drivers should familiarize themselves with these before commencing their journey.  Apart from the outskirts of Sarajevo there are no dual carriageways in the country.  You should exercise caution when travelling outside the main towns and cities, especially in winter when road conditions can deteriorate rapidly.

From 15th November to 15th of April next year you are legally required to use winter equipment on your vehicle. This means:

• all tyres on a vehicle should have MS, M+S or M&S mark on a side of a tyre as well as stylised symbol of a snowflake; the thread of tyre should be at least 4 mm deep
• summer tyres with minimum 4 mm deep thread, but the set of chains for a driving wheels should be carried in a vehicle and used in winter conditions (snow and/or ice).
  
  

You should exercise extreme caution when driving at night as many roads are badly lit or have no lighting at all.  Long-distance travel at night should therefore be avoided.  You should take care when overtaking and when approaching traffic lights as local drivers have a habit of breaking suddenly when traffic lights change to amber.  If you are involved in an accident you should remain at the scene of the accident until the police arrive.  The police may breathalyse those involved.  Traffic police have the power to impose on the spot fines for any traffic offence.

You should keep to surfaced roads and not stray off-road without an experience local guide as there continues to be a widespread danger of landmines and other unexploded ordnance.

For more general informationi see Driving Abroad.

Air Travel

Bosnia's only International airport at Sarajevo is particularly prone to fog during the winter months – October until March and particularly during December and January.  If travelling into or out of Sarajevo during the winter, ensure that you have sufficient finances if you are forced to extend your stay, as most airlines will no longer take responsibility for accommodation due to delays caused by adverse weather.

Visas

British nationals do not need a visa to enter Bosnia and Herzegovina as a visitor for up to three months

Passport validity

You must ensure that your passport is in good condition and valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country.

Registration

All foreign nationals must register with the police within 48 hours of arrival.  Hotels will usually arrange this for their guests. If you are intending to stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina for more than six months you must apply for temporary residence in addition to registering with the local police.

From 1st July 2008 British Citizens who wish to remain in Bosnia and Herzegovina for longer than 90 days must apply to the Border Police for a Residency Permit. In addition to a valid UK Passport the Border Police require a British Police document showing that the individual has no criminal record in the United Kingdom. We are not able to issue such a document at the British Embassy. Before travelling to Bosnia and Herzegovina you should contact your local police authority in the United Kingdom to obtain this document.

 
Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.  For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the London Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

There is a reciprocal healthcare agreement for British nationals.  This entitles British passport holders to free hospital treatment and some dental treatment in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  Although British nationals are entitled to free treatment, in practice the healthcare authorities in Bosnia might not have the immediate resources to provide treatment without charging.  Medical and dental facilities, particularly outside Sarajevo and major towns are also limited.

The healthcare agreement will not cover you for any medical costs incurred through injuries sustained from undertaking dangerous sporting activities.  See the General (Insurance) section of this advice for more details about this.

As with many countries in mainland Europe rabies is present within the animal population of Bosnia & Herzegovina. Whilst the incidence of rabies transferring to the human population is very rare you are advised not approach any wild animals or stray dogs

An outbreak of Brucellosis (also known as Undulant Fever) has been reported in the Mostar and Zenica areas of Bosnia & Herzegovina. Brucellosis is contracted via the consumption of un-pasturised diary products. If you intend to travel to these areas you should not consume any un-pasturised dairy products, for example cheese supplied direct from farms.

You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS.  For more general information on how to do this see HIV/AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Bosnia and Herzegovina and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date.  For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

Officals are investigating an outbreak of brucellosis in the Republika of Srpska.  Travellers should eat/drink only pasteurised dairy products.

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

The Bosnian government confirmed on 22 February 2006 that the H5N1 form of avian influenza had been found in two dead swans on the shores of Lake Plitvice in Jajce, 90 kms north east of Sarajevo.  The Bosnian authorities have taken measures to contain the outbreak including the culling of over 4,000 poultry in 12 villages within three kilometers (1.8 miles) of the lake.  No human infections or deaths have been reported in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The risk to humans from avian influenza is believed to be very low.  As a precaution, you should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.

 

Natural Disasters

 

Bosnia and Herzegovina lies in a seismically active zone and experiences occasional earth tremors.  More serious earthquakes have occurred in the past.  The most recent tremor occurred on 27 September 2005 centered near Mostar.  It measured 5.1 on the Richter Scale.

Insurance

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  This insurance should cover medical evacuation by air ambulance.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. 

 

If you intend to take part in dangerous sporting activities such as skiing, mountaineering and rock climbing, para gliding, white water rafting and high diving you are advised to ensure that your travel insurance will cover any medical costs incurred through injuries sustained from undertaking such activities. These costs are not covered by the bi-lateral medical treatment agreement between the UK and Bosnia and Herzegovina.  For more general information see Travel Insurance.

 

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is How We Can Help.

 

Registration

 

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.  More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

Passports

The British Embassy in Sarajevo does not issue passports.  You should ensure your passport has sufficient validity and a plentiful supply of unused pages and should take extra care to safeguard it against loss or theft.  Applications for new passports are accepted in Sarajevo and forwarded to the British Embassy in Vienna for processing, but this may take six to eight weeks.  This time can be reduced to three to four weeks if a courier is used, but the cost will have to borne by the applicant.  The Embassy can still issue an emergency passport within 24 hours, which will allow British citizens to return direct to the UK.

Money

Most transactions in Bosnia and Herzegovina are in cash.  The local currency is the Bosnian Mark, although Euro notes - but not coins - are also widely accepted.  Cashing travellers’ cheques is possible at some banks.  Cashpoints are available in increasing numbers in the larger cities.  The acceptance of credit and debit cards outside of Sarajevo is also becoming more widespread.  It is still advisable to carry enough cash with you when you are travelling outside major cities.