EU confirms ETIAS will not affect visa-free status for Bosnia and Herzegovina

The European Commission has confirmed that the introduction of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will not change the visa-free status for citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. While the system is expected to begin operations in the last quarter of 2026, there will be a grace period of at least six months during which the new travel authorization will not be mandatory.

ETIAS is described as an additional security mechanism for citizens of third countries with visa-free access to the Schengen Area, intended to screen for security, migration, and health risks before arrival. It is not a visa, and the EU plans to launch an information campaign in the Western Balkans to prepare travelers.

In regional tourism news, Sjenica and the Pešter plateau in Serbia have reported a significant boom, with a 42 percent increase in tourists compared to the previous year. Foreign visitors now account for 53.7 percent of the total, driven by interest in the Uvac nature reserve.

Meanwhile, tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina shows a shift in demographics. While total arrivals rose by 0.6 percent in the first eight months of 2026, the growth is driven by domestic tourists, who saw a 6.1 percent increase. Conversely, the number of foreign tourists decreased by 1.5 percent, though foreign visitors are staying longer on average.