Bosnia and Herzegovina citizens face rising EU border denials

Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) are experiencing an increase in entry denials at European Union borders. Data from the European Commission and Eurostat indicate that in 2024, 5,070 BiH citizens were refused entry, a 26 percent increase from 2023. While numbers saw a slight decline in 2025, they remain higher than 2023 levels.

Croatia records the highest number of denials, accounting for nearly nine out of ten cases, followed by Germany, Slovenia, Italy, and Hungary. Primary reasons for refusal include insufficient justification for the purpose of travel, exceeding the 90/180-day stay rule in the Schengen Area, invalid travel documents, and inadequate financial means.

In the transport sector, Croatia has begun issuing long-term visas to professional drivers from BiH. However, these visas are not immediately usable due to administrative delays, as they only take effect one month after issuance. Logistics experts emphasize that while this is a positive step, the 90/180-day rule remains a significant obstacle for the industry, requiring urgent bilateral negotiations with EU member states.