What the governments of the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada tell their own citizens about travelling to Bosnia and Herzegovina, in their own words, plus practical help with packing.
Travel advice levels
Each government rates the risks for its own citizens, on its own scale. The levels are shown exactly as published; they are not equivalent to each other and are not combined here.
UK
United KingdomForeign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Does not advise against travel
No numbered levels
Updated 13 August 2026
Latest change, in the source's words:New information on wait times if travelling to and from the Schengen area from Bosnia and Herzegovina. New information that the border crossing at Gradiška has been relocated to a new facility ('Warnings and insurance' page).
The official source shows no update to this advice in over 12 months. Check the official page for the current version.
Trip Rulebook could not refresh this source since 30 September 2026. The official website may have newer advice.
Emergency numbers
From the section “Emergency services in Bosnia and Herzegovina” of the UK government's travel advice for Bosnia and Herzegovina, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
Ambulance: 124
Fire: 123
Police: 122
Local laws and customs
From the section “Laws and cultural differences” of the UK government's travel advice for Bosnia and Herzegovina, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
Personal ID
Always carry your passport or official photo ID with you. You must be able to show some form of identification if required, including when checking into hotels. For more information, see the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Dealing with the police
Local police do not always have English language skills and you may need the services of a translator.
Illegal drugs
Illegal drugs, including cannabis, carry severe penalties. You should expect a long jail sentence and heavy fines for possessing, using or smuggling illegal drugs, including when transiting through the airport.
Airports in Bosnia and Herzegovina have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items. This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers.
Ramadan
Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The dates vary by year and country.
You should:
check opening hours of shops and restaurants
be aware that if hotels and restaurants are providing food or drink in fasting hours, they may separate you from other guests
follow local dress codes – clothing that does not meet local dress codes may cause more offence at this time
Get more advice when you arrive from your tour guide, hotel or business contacts.
LGBT+ travellers
Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but LGBT+ communities continue to report incidents of discrimination and even violence. Showing affection in public is likely to be frowned upon and may receive unwelcome attention.
From the section “Medication” of the UK government's travel advice for Bosnia and Herzegovina, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
Pharmacies may not recognise prescriptions issued in the UK. Take your prescription to a local doctor who can issue a prescription to use in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
From the section “Extreme weather and natural disasters” of the UK government's travel advice for Bosnia and Herzegovina, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
Wildfires are possible in Bosnia and Herzegovina from April to October due to the dry and hot weather. Wildfires are highly dangerous and unpredictable. You should:
take care when visiting or driving through countryside
make sure cigarette ends are properly extinguished
not light fires or barbecues except in designated and marked areas
not leave any rubbish
If you see a wildfire, call the emergency services on 112. Follow any advice from the police or local authorities.
Flooding
Rainfall and snowmelt have increased the risk of flooding and landslides. Road and rail links may be affected. Check and follow advice from local authorities.
Flash floods and landslides are a risk in all parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina after heavy rain. Follow instructions from local officials and traffic police.
Earthquakes
Earthquakes and small tremors are recorded throughout the year, usually without serious consequences. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake.
What to pack
Practical suggestions from Trip Rulebook, based on open data and fixed rules. They are not safety or legal advice: rules on clothing, medicines and restricted items are covered only by the official text on this page.
Chargers and plugs
Plug typesCF
Voltage230/400 V
Frequency50 Hz
Plug and voltage data: Wikipedia, “Mains electricity by country”, CC BY-SA 4.0 (licence), retrieved 2026-09-29. Sockets in hotels can differ; the label on your charger (for example “INPUT 100–240V”) tells you which voltages it accepts.
Clothes for the weather
Rainfall Average temperature
January
Average
0 °C (33 °F)
Lows
-3 °C (27 °F)
Highs
4 °C (39 °F)
Rain
78 mm (3.1 in)
Warm jacket or coat, jumper and long trousers.
Nights below freezing on average: hat, gloves and warm layers.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
February
Average
2 °C (35 °F)
Lows
-2 °C (28 °F)
Highs
6 °C (42 °F)
Rain
79 mm (3.1 in)
Warm jacket or coat, jumper and long trousers.
Nights below freezing on average: hat, gloves and warm layers.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
March
Average
5 °C (42 °F)
Lows
1 °C (33 °F)
Highs
10 °C (50 °F)
Rain
70 mm (2.8 in)
Warm jacket or coat, jumper and long trousers.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
April
Average
10 °C (50 °F)
Lows
5 °C (41 °F)
Highs
15 °C (59 °F)
Rain
86 mm (3.4 in)
Warm jacket or coat, jumper and long trousers.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
May
Average
14 °C (58 °F)
Lows
9 °C (48 °F)
Highs
20 °C (68 °F)
Rain
99 mm (3.9 in)
Light jacket or fleece and long sleeves.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
June
Average
18 °C (64 °F)
Lows
13 °C (55 °F)
Highs
24 °C (74 °F)
Rain
95 mm (3.8 in)
Light clothes, with a light layer for the evenings.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
July
Average
20 °C (68 °F)
Lows
14 °C (57 °F)
Highs
26 °C (79 °F)
Rain
89 mm (3.5 in)
Light clothes, with a light layer for the evenings.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
August
Average
20 °C (69 °F)
Lows
14 °C (57 °F)
Highs
27 °C (80 °F)
Rain
69 mm (2.7 in)
Light clothes, with a light layer for the evenings.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
September
Average
16 °C (60 °F)
Lows
10 °C (50 °F)
Highs
21 °C (70 °F)
Rain
108 mm (4.2 in)
Light jacket or fleece and long sleeves.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
October
Average
11 °C (51 °F)
Lows
6 °C (43 °F)
Highs
16 °C (60 °F)
Rain
105 mm (4.1 in)
Light jacket or fleece and long sleeves.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
November
Average
6 °C (43 °F)
Lows
2 °C (36 °F)
Highs
10 °C (49 °F)
Rain
123 mm (4.8 in)
Warm jacket or coat, jumper and long trousers.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
December
Average
1 °C (34 °F)
Lows
-2 °C (28 °F)
Highs
4 °C (39 °F)
Rain
114 mm (4.5 in)
Warm jacket or coat, jumper and long trousers.
Nights below freezing on average: hat, gloves and warm layers.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
National averages for 1991-2020. Coasts, mountains and regions can be very different, and any given year can be warmer, colder or wetter. Suggestions come from fixed rules based on these averages. Climate data: World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal, observed climate data (CRU TS), CRU TS (cru_ts4.09), Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia, CC BY 4.0 (licence).
Visa and entry rules depend on your nationality and change often, so Trip Rulebook does not summarise them. Each government explains the rules for its own citizens. If you travel on another passport, check with the embassy or the official immigration website of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
This page is guidance, not legal advice. Laws and advice change without notice and are written for each government's own citizens, so they may apply to you differently. Confirm everything with the official source before you travel. Terms of use.