Border and documents: FAQ
Border crossings, ID, car insurance.
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Border crossings, ID, car insurance. 40 questions and answers for visitors to Bihać and the Una river.
What is the nearest border crossing to Bihać?
The nearest border crossing to Bihać is Izačić, called Ličko Petrovo Selo on the Croatian side, about ten kilometres west of the town centre. It is the main crossing for visitors coming from Zagreb, Plitvice and Zadar and is a permanent international crossing for travellers. It gets busiest in summer and at weekends, so set off early.
What other border crossings are there near Bihać?
Besides Izačić, the crossings near Bihać are Užljebić, south of town near Ripač, towards Donji Lapac, and Maljevac, north of Bihać towards Velika Kladuša. For most visitors Izačić is the shortest route. Before you travel, check on the websites of the Border Police of Bosnia and Herzegovina or the Croatian Ministry of the Interior which crossings are open to international traffic and at what times.
What documents do I need to enter Bosnia and Herzegovina?
To enter Bosnia and Herzegovina you need a valid passport, and EU citizens can usually also enter with a valid national identity card. If you are driving, bring your driving licence and vehicle registration document. The rules change, so check them before you travel on the website of the BiH Ministry of Foreign Affairs or your own government's travel advice.
Can I enter Bosnia and Herzegovina with an ID card?
EU citizens, including those of Croatia, Germany and Austria, can generally enter Bosnia and Herzegovina with a valid national identity card. Temporary ID cards are usually not accepted. Because the rules differ by country, check your own government's travel advice before you go.
How long must my passport be valid for Bosnia and Herzegovina?
According to the German Foreign Office, your travel document must be valid for at least three months after your planned departure from Bosnia and Herzegovina. The same applies to an ID card if you use one to enter. If your document expires soon, renew it before you travel. Rules may differ by nationality, so also check your own government's travel advice.
Do I need a visa for Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Citizens of the EU, the UK, the US, Canada and many other countries do not need a visa for a tourist stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Visa-free visitors can usually stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Check the list of countries and conditions on the website of the BiH Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
How long can I stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina without a visa?
Foreign nationals who do not need a visa can stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina for up to 90 days within a six-month period. A longer stay requires a residence permit, so check the rules with the BiH Service for Foreigners' Affairs if you plan to stay longer. Days spent in Bosnia and Herzegovina do not count towards the Schengen 90 days, as the country is not part of the Schengen Area.
Do I need to register with the police in Bihać?
If you stay in registered accommodation, your host normally handles the registration, as accommodation providers in the Una-Sana Canton register guests in the system within 24 hours. So just show your host your passport or ID card when you arrive. If you are staying privately with friends or relatives, ask the local police about registration.
Do I need a green card for my car in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
For vehicles registered in Croatia, Germany, Austria, Slovenia and other countries that have signed the Multilateral Agreement, a green card has not been required to enter Bosnia and Herzegovina since 19 October 2020. Your number plate serves as proof of insurance. It is still a good idea to bring a green card, as it makes things easier if you have an accident.
What if my car is not registered in the EU?
If your car is registered in a country that has not signed the Multilateral Agreement on insurance, you will probably need a green card or border insurance to enter Bosnia and Herzegovina. Before you travel, ask your insurer whether your policy covers Bosnia and Herzegovina. Where necessary, border insurance can be bought at the border.
What car documents do I need at the border?
At the border you need your vehicle registration document and driving licence, and if the car is not yours, the owner's authorisation or the rental agreement. A green card is not compulsory for EU vehicles but is useful. If you are driving a hire car, check that the agreement allows travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Is my driving licence valid in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Driving licences from EU countries are recognised in Bosnia and Herzegovina for tourist stays, so an International Driving Permit is usually not needed. Drivers from other countries should check whether they need one. The drink-drive limit in Bosnia and Herzegovina is 0.3 per mille, and zero for young and novice drivers.
What are the driving rules in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
In Bosnia and Herzegovina dipped headlights are compulsory during the day, and winter equipment is required from 1 November to 1 April, regardless of the weather. You must carry a hi-vis vest, a warning triangle and a first-aid kit. The alcohol limit is 0.3 per mille, and zero for novice drivers and those under 21, so do not drive after drinking.
How long is the wait at the Izačić border crossing?
At Izačić the wait is usually anything from a few minutes to half an hour, and in summer, at weekends and on public holidays it can be over an hour. Queues are longer when entering Croatia, because of Schengen checks and the EES system. Check the situation before setting off on the websites of the Croatian Ministry of the Interior, the BiH Border Police, or the motoring clubs HAK and BIHAMK.
When is the border to Bihać least busy?
The border is usually quietest on weekdays early in the morning and late in the evening. It is busiest on summer Saturdays and Sundays, on public holidays and at the start and end of school holidays in Germany and Austria. If you are going to Plitvice, leave early in the morning and come back before the evening rush.
What is EES and does it apply to me?
EES is the European Entry/Exit System, which records non-EU citizens when they enter and leave the Schengen Area. It has been fully operational since 10 April 2026 and also applies at the border between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. EU citizens and holders of residence permits from EU countries are not covered.
What happens at EES registration at the Croatian border?
The first time non-EU citizens enter the Schengen Area, their passport details, four fingerprints and a facial photo are taken. On later crossings their identity is checked with a facial photo. Children under 12 do not give fingerprints but are photographed.
I'm a UK or US citizen staying in Bihać. Do I go through EES on a day trip to Plitvice?
Yes, as a non-EU citizen you are covered by the EES every time you cross from Bosnia and Herzegovina into Croatia, including on a day trip to Plitvice Lakes. On your first entry your fingerprints and a facial photo are taken, and later crossings are quicker, with only a facial check. EES data is kept for three years from your last exit, so allow a little extra time at the border.
Do I need ETIAS to travel to Croatia?
ETIAS is a future electronic travel authorisation for visa-exempt non-EU citizens, such as those from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, the US or the UK. According to available information, the EU plans to launch it in the last quarter of 2026, but the exact date has yet to be announced. Check the latest status on the official website travel-europe.europa.eu before you travel.
Do EU citizens need ETIAS or EES?
No, EU citizens, including Croatian nationals, are not subject to EES and do not need ETIAS. At the Croatian border they go through the usual document check. If you are travelling with family members who are not EU citizens, check their status separately. To enter Bosnia and Herzegovina, EU citizens just need a valid passport or ID card.
Can I bring my dog or cat to Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Yes, your dog or cat can travel with you to Bosnia and Herzegovina if it has a microchip, a pet passport and a valid rabies vaccination. The first vaccination must be given at least 21 days before travel. Check the rules with your vet before you go. Dogs are welcome at Apartman M. Mahala (Midžić Mahala); for other properties, just ask when you enquire.
Does my dog need a rabies titre test to return to the EU from Bosnia and Herzegovina?
No, under EU rules Bosnia and Herzegovina is on the list of third countries from which a rabies antibody titre test is usually not required when bringing a pet back into the EU. A microchip, pet passport and valid vaccination are still required. The rules can change, so check with your vet or the Croatian Ministry of Agriculture.
Which border crossing can I use with a pet from Bosnia and Herzegovina into Croatia?
Pets may only enter Croatia from Bosnia and Herzegovina through designated entry points, and these include Ličko Petrovo Selo, the Croatian side of the Izačić crossing near Bihać. Maljevac is also on the list, but Užljebić is not. Check the official list of pet entry points before you travel.
How many pets can I take across the border?
Without special veterinary procedures, you may take up to five pets per person across the EU border for non-commercial purposes. For more than five animals, a veterinary check at an approved border post is required. If you are travelling with a dog, dogs are welcome at Apartman M. Mahala (Midžić Mahala); for other properties, just ask when you enquire.
How many cigarettes and how much alcohol can I bring into Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Adult travellers can usually bring 200 cigarettes, 1 litre of spirits over 22 % or 2 litres of weaker drinks, plus a certain amount of wine and beer, into Bosnia and Herzegovina duty-free. These allowances apply to people aged over 17. Check the exact amounts on the website of the BiH Indirect Taxation Authority.
What can I take from Bosnia and Herzegovina back into Croatia?
When entering Croatia overland from Bosnia and Herzegovina, you can bring personal belongings and small quantities of goods duty-free, but the limits for cigarettes and alcohol are lower than within the EU. Meat, milk and dairy products from non-EU countries may not be brought in. Check the exact allowances on the Croatian Customs website before your return.
Can I take local cheese or cured meat home from Bihać?
No, meat and dairy products such as cured meat, sausages or homemade cheese may not be taken from Bosnia and Herzegovina into Croatia or any other EU country. This applies even to small quantities for personal use. Such goods are confiscated at the border, and you may be fined.
Do I have to declare cash at the Bosnian border?
You must declare cash worth 10,000 euros or more to customs when entering or leaving Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is not a ban on carrying money, just an obligation to declare it. The same 10,000-euro threshold applies when entering the EU. With us, accommodation is paid in cash on arrival, and the amount for a normal stay is far below that limit.
Do I need to show proof of funds at the Bosnian border?
According to the German Foreign Office, foreigners entering Bosnia and Herzegovina must be able to show sufficient funds for their stay, about 150 KM per day, in cash or by card. In practice this is rarely checked for tourists, but it is useful to have a bank card and your accommodation booking confirmation. We send you a booking confirmation by email.
How long must my passport be valid to re-enter Croatia from Bosnia and Herzegovina?
For non-EU citizens, your passport must be valid for at least three months after your planned departure from Croatia and must have been issued within the last ten years. On entry you also go through EES registration. Visa-free visitors can stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, and days spent in Bosnia and Herzegovina do not count towards this.
What do dual citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia need at the border?
Dual citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia usually enter Bosnia and Herzegovina with their Bosnian document and Croatia with their Croatian ID card or passport. As EU citizens they are not subject to EES when using their Croatian document. Bring both documents to avoid misunderstandings at the border.
Do children need their own passport to cross the border?
Yes, every child must have their own passport or ID card, depending on nationality. If a child is travelling with only one parent or with other adults, it is advisable to carry a certified consent letter from the other parent. Check the rules for minors with the authorities in your own country.
Is the Izačić border crossing open to all travellers?
Yes, Ličko Petrovo Selo – Izačić is a permanent international border crossing for travellers, so citizens of all countries can use it with the right documents. Under a new agreement between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina from 2026, it is also being upgraded for freight traffic with inspection services. Still, check for any roadworks or temporary changes before you travel.
Is the Užljebić border crossing a good way into Bihać?
The Užljebić crossing, south of Bihać near Ripač, can be convenient if you are coming from Donji Lapac and Gračac. It is less busy than Izačić, but the road on the Croatian side is slower. Pets coming from Bosnia and Herzegovina may not enter Croatia here, as it is not on the list of pet entry points.
Is there any customs duty on a day trip from Bihać to Plitvice and back?
On a day trip from Bihać to Plitvice and back you cross the border twice, and for normal travel you pay no customs duty. Bring the same document you used to enter Bosnia and Herzegovina. Non-EU citizens go through an EES check each time, so allow for a slightly longer wait.
Do I need travel insurance for Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Travel health insurance is recommended, because Bosnia and Herzegovina is not an EU member and the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC/GHIC) is not valid here. Some countries have healthcare agreements with Bosnia and Herzegovina, so check with your insurer what you are entitled to. A policy that also covers rafting is a good choice if you are planning an active holiday.
Where can I check the latest entry rules for Bosnia and Herzegovina?
The most reliable sources are the BiH Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the BiH Border Police and, for customs rules, the BiH Indirect Taxation Authority. For entry to Croatia and EES, check the Croatian Ministry of the Interior and the official EU website travel-europe.europa.eu. UK travellers can also check the FCDO travel advice. Rules change, so check a few days before you travel.
Where can I check border queues before I travel?
The Croatian Auto Club (HAK) and BIHAMK publish border waiting times, and the Croatian Ministry of the Interior and BiH Border Police also provide information. Some crossings have live cameras. If you are running late because of the border, let us know on WhatsApp or Viber +387 61 591 320, in English or German, and we will inform your host.
What if the border delays my check-in?
If you are delayed by a border queue, just let your host or us know on WhatsApp or Viber +387 61 591 320. Check-in is from 12:00, and for late arrivals we arrange the key handover. You receive your host's contact details once your booking is confirmed. We recommend mentioning your approximate arrival time in your enquiry.
Can I bring a drone to Bosnia and Herzegovina?
You can bring a drone into Bosnia and Herzegovina, but flying is subject to the rules of the BiH Directorate of Civil Aviation, and in national parks you need the park management's permission. In Una National Park, including Štrbački Buk, flying a drone without a permit is not allowed. Check the conditions with the park management at npuna.com.
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