Get travel and medical insurance
Before travelling, the Department strongly recommends that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance which will cover all overseas medical costs, including medical repatriation/evacuation, repatriation of remains and legal costs. You should check any exclusions and, in particular, that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. You should also be aware that failure to declare any pre-existing medical conditions would invalidate insurance cover.
Please note that as Bosnia and Herzegovina is not a member of the EEA, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) cannot be used to access healthcare services there. The officially sanctioned payment arrangements for medical services can vary across the country. Comprehensive medical insurance should also be tailored to the individual's medical condition.
In some towns such as Medugorje, first-aid centres often operated by medical volunteers provide first-aid treatments.
Entry Requirements
Holders of Irish passports do not need visas for short stay visits of up to 90 days. Please note, however, that the Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities require that passports must be valid for a minimum period of 90 days from the date of departure from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Stádas Slándála
- Gnáth-réamhchúraimí
- Bí an-chúramach
- Seachain taisteal neamhriachtanach
- Ná taistil
- Overview
- Safety and Security
- Local Laws and Customs
- Health
- Additional Information
- Embassy Contact
Overview
Overview
General COVID-19 Travel Advisory in Operation
Avoid non-essential travel until further notice:
The Irish Authorities advise against all non-essential travel overseas until further notice. This includes Great Britain but does not apply to Northern Ireland. It also includes all travel by cruise ship.
If you are currently travelling outside of Ireland:
Flight restrictions and route cancellations are happening on a daily basis worldwide and there is no guarantee that air routes will continue to operate. For this reason, where commercial flights are still an option, we recommend that people who wish to do so make arrangements to return to Ireland as soon as possible.
We are working with airlines to show maximum flexibility to those passengers who need to change their existing flight arrangements. Where commercial flights are no longer available, we are working side-by-side with our international partners to identify alternative options where possible.
It may not be feasible or possible for everyone who wants to travel back to Ireland to do so in the short term. We ask Irish citizens remaining abroad to make decisions that safeguard their health and well-being and that they follow local public health and safety requirements. We ask that they remain in close contact with family, friends and their local Irish Embassy or Consulate.
We know that this is a stressful situation for citizens and our embassy network is working around the clock to provide people with all the information and assistance that we can, bearing in mind the situation is unfolding across multiple countries and is not one under our control.
What to do on entering Ireland from abroad:
The Irish Authorities require anyone coming into Ireland, apart from Northern Ireland, to self-isolate for 14 days. Passengers arriving to Ireland from overseas are obliged to complete a mandatory Public Health Passenger Locator Form and to submit it to the relevant authority at their port of entry. This includes Irish residents. Exemptions are in place for providers of essential supply chain services such as hauliers, pilots and maritime staff. Check the Irish Government Advice Page for full information on these requirements.
Where to go for more information:
We continue to make updates to our online travel advice for over 200 countries and recommend that you download our TravelWise App and follow us on Twitter. If abroad you should register with your local Irish Embassy or Consulate and regularly check their website and Twitter accounts for details of any local public health measures and travel restrictions.
Overview
Security Status
Avoid non-essential travel.
Security Status Last Updated: 16 March 2020
Latest Travel Alert
Novel Coronavirus
There have been a number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Be alert to common signs of infection: respiratory problems, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. Seek medical advice if you experience these symptoms.
HSE medical advice to protect yourself from getting COVID-19 is below.
Do:
• wash your hands properly and regularly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough and sneeze
• put used tissues into a bin and wash your hands
Don’t:
• touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
Additional information on COVID-19 can be found via the following links:
There continues to be confirmed cases of coronavirus across Bosnia and Herzegovina and restrictive measures in respect of public gatherings and catering facilities have now been extended in the east of the country up to 22 June.
If you are in Bosnia and Herzegovina, you should monitor developments regularly and follow the advice of local authorities, as regulations can change at short notice. Call 124 for medical emergencies.
See links below for details.
The airports in Bosnia and Herzegovina at the start of June reopened to scheduled flights. Links to Sarajevo Airport, Tuzla Airport, and Banja Luka Airport
https://www.sarajevo-airport.ba/?lang=eng
https://www.tuzla-airport.ba/en/
https://www.bnx.aero/index_en.php
Entry into Bosnia and Herzegovina remains restricted for people who are not citizens or residents of Bosnia and Herzegovina, despite the recent lifting of blanket measures relating to quarantine and self-isolation. There are only a number of exemptions to these regulations in respect of entering the country, particularly concerning people on a business visit and who also have a negative test for Covid-19 that has been issued within the previous forty-eight hours by an official laboratory.
The links to relevant institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina (local language):
The Institute of Public Health in Republika Srpska
The Institute of Public Heath of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina is not a member of the EU/EEA. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) cannot be used to access healthcare services in this country. The medical service can be limited in parts of the country. In some towns, first-aid centres often operated by medical volunteers provide only basic first-aid treatments. In addition, the officially sanctioned payment arrangements for medical services can vary across the country.
Before travelling to Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is very strongly recommended that comprehensive travel insurance is obtained which will cover all overseas medical costs, including medical repatriation/evacuation, repatriation of remains and legal costs. People intending to travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina, including to Medjugorje, with an existing medical condition are advised to consult a doctor before making travel plans and travelling. The comprehensive medical insurance taken out should also be tailored to the individual's medical condition.
It is important to check for any exclusions and, in particular, that the policy covers the person for the activities that they would undertake. Failure to declare any pre-existing medical conditions would invalidate insurance cover.
Travel Alert
As political and other demonstrations can take place in BiH at short notice, you should remain aware in public spaces of the surroundings and respond accordingly.
It is strongly recommended not to leave valuables in parked vehicles. In particular in larger towns, the usual precautions should be taken in respect of valuables such as wallets, cameras, and travel documents when taking public transport. Prudence is also recommended in areas where there can be a large number of people such as close to the Stari Most in Mostar and in Medugorje.
Roughly 2% of the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina remains unsafe due to landmines and other unexploded ordnance dating back to the conflicts of the 1990s. The more densely populated areas are generally safe, but material can be dislodged during periods of heavy rainfall. It is therefore advisable not to wander from well-established paths and roadways. Local advice should also be sought on this matter.
In many of the larger cities and towns in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the air quality can be quite low between November and March. People with, in particular, respiratory conditions or with other health situations should consult and monitor advisory websites such as the World Air Quality Index: https://waqi.info/
As elsewhere in Europe, terrorist attacks may occur with no advance notice. Irish citizens are therefore advised to monitor local media and follow the advice of the local police and local authorities. It is important to exercise increased vigilance, especially when travelling on public transport, if attending large public gatherings or visiting other crowded locations, particularly ones that have a large concentration of foreign citizens. Attacks could occur at any time and could target tourist attractions, restaurants, transport hubs or other public areas. Citizens should remain aware of their surroundings and ensure they have access to exits or escape routes at all times.
As the heat can become quite intense, particularly during the period June-September, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, visitors are strongly advised to remain hydrated by regularly drinking water, to keep their heads suitably covered, and to keep their eyes hydrated.
Emergency Assistance
If you require emergency assistance locally, you can call the numbers below for specific services:
- 122 for the police
- 124 for an ambulance
Because there is no Irish Embassy or Consulate in Bosnia and Herzegovina, we are limited in the help we can offer you in an emergency. However, if you need assistance, you may contact the Irish Embassy in Ljubljana in Slovenia on +386 (0)1 300 8970.
If you contact the Embassy outside of office hours, you will be requested to leave your name, telephone number and a brief message outlining the nature of the emergency. An Embassy staff member will subsequently make contact with you. The out of hours service is strictly for genuine emergencies only. Queries or requests that would be best processed during normal office hours would not be dealt with by the duty officer.
Alternatively, you may contact the Consular Assistance Unit at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Dublin at (+353) 1 408 2000.
EU Directive on Consular Protection
Under the EU Consular Protection Directive, Irish nationals may seek assistance from the Embassy or Consulate of any other EU member state in a country where there is no Irish Embassy or permanent representation.
Our tips for Safe Travels:
- Purchase comprehensive travel insurance which covers all your intended activities.
- Add an alert for your destination within the Travelwise App.
- Register your details with us so that we can contact you quickly if there’s an unforeseen crisis like a natural disaster or a family emergency.
- Follow us on twitter @dfatravelwise for the latest travel updates.
- Read our ‘Know Before You Go’ guide.
Safety and Security
Safety and Security
Sábháilteacht agus Slándáil
Comhairle phraiticiúil
- Léigh an treoir taistil Eolas Roimh Thaisteal chun leideanna slándála áisiúla a fháil agus tú ag taisteal thar lear
- Faigh eolas go háitiúil maidir le ceantair lena mbaineann baol agus ábhair imní slándála
- Déan réamhchúram ciallmhar maidir le sábháilteacht agus slándáil
- Bíodh an té le dul i dteagmháil leis i gcás éigeandála ar eolas agat
An staid pholaitiúil
Féadtar a bheith ag súil le hagóidí, ar fhógra gearr go minic, ar fud mórchathracha sa Bhoisnia agus sa Heirseagaivéin. Ar 7 Feabhra 2014 d’éirigh léirsithe áirithe foréigneach. Tharla agóidí sách síochánta ó shin ach tá baol beag foréigin ann i gcónaí. Coinnigh cothrom le dáta lena bhfuil ag tarlú, bí airdeallach agus seachain agóidí.
Tá baol beag foréigin scoite ann, a bhaineann le filleadh daoine easáitithe nó gabháil daoine a bhfuil amhras orthu faoi choireanna cogaidh. Féadfaidh sé seo tarlú gan aon rabhadh áit ar bith sa tír.
Mianaigh Talún
Is fíor-chontúirt iad mianaigh talún sa Bhoisnia agus sa Heirseagaivéin. Glanadh mianaigh talún ó na háiteanna ina bhfuil daonra ard agus ó na príomhbhóithre agus tá sé sábháilte cuairt a thabhairt orthu sin anois. Níor glanadh áiteanna sléibhte agus tuaithe iargúlta, áfach, áiteanna díreach taobh amuigh de Shairéavó ina measc.
Moltar duit gan imeacht ó bhóithre agus áiteanna pábháilte gan treoraí le taithí a bheith leat, agus moltar duit áiteanna oscailte faoin tuath a sheachaint, go háirithe foirgnimh agus sráidbhailte atá millte nó tréigthe. Ná téigh isteach go háiteanna atá dúnta le téip. Féach Mine Action Centre chun tuilleadh eolais a fháil.
Coiriúlacht
Tá ráta coiriúlachta sách íseal sa Bhoisnia agus sa Heirseagaivéin ach ba chóir duit réamhchúram ciallmhar a dhéanamh mar sin féin:
- Ná bíodh do chárta creidmheasa, do thicéid taistil ná do chuid airgid ar iompar in éineacht agat – fág airgead breise agus nithe luachmhara in áit sábháilte
- Ná bíodh do phas ar iompar agat ach amháin má tá géarghá leis agus fág cóip de do phas (agus de do dhoiciméid taistil agus árachais) le do theaghlach nó le cairde sa bhaile.
- Ná taispeáin méideanna móra airgid go poiblí agus ná bain úsáid as ATManna tar éis thitim na hoíche, go háirithe má bhíonn tú leat féin. Seiceáil nach bhfuil aon duine do do leanúint tar éis duit do chuid gnó a chur i gcrích.
- Seachain sráideanna agus staighrí dorcha nó gan soilse. Socraigh síob a fháil ó/go dtí chomh gar do dhoras d'óstáin/d'árasáin agus is féidir.
- Coinnigh súil ghéar ar do chuid stuif agus coinnigh greim air in áiteanna poiblí mar caiféanna idirlín agus stáisiúin bus nó traenach.
Mionghadaíocht
Tharla roinnt gadaíochta ó charráistí “faoi ghlas” ar thraenacha, mar sin bí cinnte go bhfuil an doras faoi ghlas i gceart agus nach bhfuil aon rud luachmhar le feiceáil nó in aice an dorais.
Coiriúlacht a chur in iúl
Má fhulaingíonn tú coir agus tú sa Bhoisnia agus sa Heirseagaivéin, cuir in iúl do na póilíní láithreach é agus faigh tuairisc faoi. Féadfaidh tú teagmháil a dhéanamh linn ag Ambasáid na hÉireann i Liúibleána má tá cabhair uait.
Tiomáint
Má tá sé i gceist agat a bheith ag tiomáint sa Bhoisnia agus sa Heirseagaivéin, tabhair ar aird go bhfuil sé thar a bheith contúirteach tiomáint tar éis thitim na hoíche agus nach bhfuil soilse sráide coitianta lasmuigh de na bailte móra. Féadfaidh coinníollacha guaiseacha a bheith ann freisin mar gheall ar dhrochbhóithre agus ar an gceo a bhíonn in áiteanna sléibhe ar maidin agus um thráthnóna. Cuimhnigh, tá na dlíthe agus srianta tráchta cosúil leis na cinn i dtíortha eile in Iarthar na hEorpa agus tiomáintear ar thaobh na láimhe deise. Más mian leat a bheith ag tiomáint:
- Tabhair leat do cheadúnas tiomána idirnáisiúnta agus bí cinnte go bhfuil árachas iomchuí agus dóthanach agat
- Tá sé in aghaidh an dlí tiomáint faoi thionchar an óil nó drugaí agus tá baol go gcoinneofaí tú, go gcuirfí fíneáil ort nó go gcuirfí toirmeasc ar thiomáint ort dá mbéarfaí ort 0.03 an teorainn alcól san fhuil
- Bí ar an eolas faoi dhlíthe tráchta sa Bhoisnia agus sa Heirseagaivéin, mar shampla luasteorainneacha. Tá sé de chumhacht ag póilíní tráchta fíneálacha ar an láthair a ghearradh ar aon chion tráchta.
- Caith do chrios sábhála i gcónaí, chun tosaigh agus ar chúl
- Coinnigh doirse na feithicle faoi ghlas agus ná bíodh málaí le feiceáil, ar fhaitíos go ndéanfaí iarracht iad a ghoid agus tú stoptha ag soilse tráchta
- Ná húsáid fón póca agus tú ag tiomáint ach amháin más ‘fearas lámhshaor’ é
- Caitear tiomáint le ceannsolas maolaithe air an t-am ar fad sa Bhoisnia agus sa Heirseagaivéin, ní díreach i ndiaidh thitim na hoíche
- Tá sé riachtanach boinn gheimhridh a bheith ar d’fheithicil idir 15 Samhain agus 15 Aibreán. Mar mhalairt rogha, féadfaidh tú boinn shamhraidh le trácht 4mm ar a laghad orthu a úsáid, fhad is a bhíonn slabhraí sneachta ar an bhfeithicil agus gur féidir leat a thaispeáint go bhfuil tú in ann iad a shuiteáil i gceart , má iarrtar ort.
- Is féidir tuilleadh eolais faoi thrácht agus sábhailteacht a fháil ó Automobile Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Doiciméadúchán cairr
Bí cinnte go dtabharfaidh tú leat an t-eolas go léir faoi úinéireacht/cíos agus clárú leat mar go bhféadfadh gardaí teorainn iad a iarraidh.
Ba chóir duit a chinntiú go dtugann do chárta glas clúdach don Bhoisnia agus don Heirseagaivéin má tá sé i gceist agat tiomáint go dtí nó tríd an Bhoisnia agus an Heirseagaivéin, an cuid 9.5km den bhóthar ag Neum ar Bhóthar Cósta na Dalmáite san áireamh.
Feithicil a fhruiliú
Má tá feithicil á fruiliú agat, moltar duit gan do phas a thabhairt ar lámh mar shlándáil. Fiú má thugann tú cead do phas a fhótachóipeáil, bíodh sé le feiceáil agat an t-am ar fad.
Seiceáil go bhfuil árachas dóthanach agat agus léigh téarmaí & coinníollacha an chonartha fruilithe feithicle (go háirithe aon tarscaoileadh a mbeadh feidhm leis dá ndéanfaí damáiste don fheithicil).
Local Laws and Customs
Local Laws and Customs
Dlíthe agus gnásanna áitiúla
Comhairle phraiticiúil
- Léigh an chomhairle taistil, cuir tú féin ar an eolas sula dtaistealaíonn tú agus faigh comhairle go háitiúil nuair a bhaineann tú ceann scríbe amach
- Cuimhnigh go mbaineann na dlíthe áitiúla leatsa, mar chuairteoir, agus nach mór duit cloí leo
- Bí measúil ar nósanna, ar thraidisiúin agus ar chleachtais áitiúla, mar go mb’fhéidir go bhféachfaí ar an gcaoi a n-iompraíonn tú tú féin mar iompar a bheadh as bealach, naimhdeach nó in aghaidh an dlí.
Drugaí neamhdhleathacha
Gearrtar pionós géar ar úsáid drugaí neamhdhleathacha (is cuma cén druga é), lena n-áirítear fíneálacha agus téarmaí príosúin fada.
Health
Health
Tubaistí nádúrtha agus an aeráid
Comhairle phraiticiúil
- Má tá tú ag taisteal chun na Boisnia agus na Heirseagaivéine, bí cinnte go dtuigeann tú cad atá romhat – ansin pleanáil agus pacáil dá réir
- Faigh comhairle áitiúil faoin méid a cheart a dhéanamh i gcás eachtra tromchúiseach nó i gcoinníollacha contúirteacha
- Comhoibrigh le húdaráis áitiúla agus le seirbhísí éigeandála i gcás eachtra tromchúiseach
Crith talún
Tá creathanna talún sách coitianta sa Bhoisnia agus sa Heirseagaivéin agus taifeadtar creathanna beaga nach mbíonn tionchar acu le linn na bliana.
Additional Information
Additional Information
Eolas Breise
Riachtanais iontrála (víosa/pas)
Ní gá do shealbhóirí pasanna Éireannacha viosaí a bheith acu le cuairteanna gearra suas le 90 lá. Má tá sé i gceist agat fanacht ar feadh tréimhse níos faide, déan teagmháil leis an Ambasáid nó Consalacht de chuid na Boisnia agus na Heirseagaivéine is gaire duit, le comhairle a fháil.
Pasanna
Bí cinnte go bhfuil do phas bailí go dtí an lá a fhágfaidh tú an tír, an lá sin san áireamh.
Moltar duit roinnt cóipeanna de do phas a thabhairt leat. Ba chóir duit cóip de do phas a iompar ort i gcónaí le linn do chuairte.
Clárú
Ní mór do gach eachtrannach clárú leis na póilíní laistigh de 48 uair an chloig tar éis teacht isteach sa tír. Go hiondúil, socraíonn óstáin é sin d’aíonna. Má tá sé i gceist agat fanacht sa Bhoisnia agus sa Heirseagaivéin ar feadh níos mó ná sé mhí, ní mór duit iarratas ar chónaitheacht sealadach a dhéanamh, chomh maith le clárú leis na póilíní áitiúla.
Is féidir tuilleadh eolais faoi iontráil eachtrannach agus fanacht sa tír a fháil ó Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Taisteal le leanaí
Féadfaidh duine faoi bhun 18 a bhfuil a phas/pas féin aige/aici dul thar theorainn na Boisnia agus na Heirseagaivéine má tá duine nó beirt dá thuismitheoirí/tuismitheoirí, feighlí nó caomhnóir dlíthiúil in éineacht leis/léi. Ní mór do mhionúr atá ag taisteal gan duine nó beirt dá thuismitheoirí/tuismitheoirí, feighlí nó caomhnóir dlíthiúil a bheith in éineacht leis/léi ráiteas ón duine sin a deir go dtugann sé/sí cead don mhionúr dul thar an teorainn, ráiteas atá sínithe ag nótaire, a bheith acu.
Caithfidh na sonraí seo a leanas a bheith sa ráiteas:
- Eolas pearsanta an mhionúir (ainm, dáta agus áit breithe, uimhir pas, seoladh reatha)
- Eolas pearsanta an bheirt tuismitheoir nó caomhnóir dlíthiúil
- Eolas pearsanta an duine atá ag taisteal leis an mionúr (má tá an mionúr ag taisteal le duine fásta eile)
- Dátaí agus cúiseanna taistil go dtí an Bhoisnia agus an Heirseagaivéin agus uathu.
- An tréimhse ama dá bhfuil an ráiteas bailí
- Sínithe an dá thuismitheoir, an fheighlí nó an chaomhnóra dlíthiúil
Ní mór an ráiteas a dhéanamh i gceann de na teangacha oifigiúla den Bhoisnia agus den Heirseagaivéin (Boisnis, Cróitis nó Seirbis) nó i mBéarla agus ní mór do dhuine atá údaraithe ag an dlí mionnaí a thabhairt, mar shampla nótaire poiblí, é a nótaireacht. Le tuilleadh eolais a fháil, déan teagmháil le Ambasáid na Boisnia agus na Heirseagaivéine i Londain.
Sláinte
Seiceáil le do dhochtúir i bhfad roimh thaisteal má tá aon vacsaíniú ag teastáil le dul chun na Boisnia agus na Heirseagaivéine.
Airgead
Is in airgead tirim a dhéantar formhór na n-idirbheart sa Bhoisnia agus sa Heirseagaivéin. An Marg Konvertible an t-airgeadra, agus cé go nglacann roinnt gnólachtaí leis an Euro, ní airgead dlíthairgthe é an Euro sa Bhoisnia agus sa Heirseagaivéin.
Is féidir seiceanna taistil a athrú ag an gcuid is mó de na bainc freisin. Moltar duit go leor airgid tirim a thabhairt leat, mar sin féin, is tú ag taisteal lasmuigh de chathracha móra.
ATManna
Tá níos mó is níos mó ATManna ar fáil agus glactar le cártaí creidmheasa agus le cártaí dochair i Sairéavó agus in áiteanna eile ar feadh na tíre de réir a chéile. Má tá cárta ATM agat a bhfuil siombal Maestró nó Cirrus air, ba chóir go mbeifeá in ann airgead a aistarraingt ó do chuntas in Éirinn.
Iompar Poiblí
Ní labhraítear Béarla go forleathan sa Bhoisnia agus sa Heirseagaivéin ach níl sé deacair a bheith ag taisteal ar fud na tíre. Is féidir brath ar sheirbhísí bus agus tram, de ghnáth.
Tacsaithe
Tabhair ar aird go mb’fhéidir nach mbeidh tiománaithe tacsaí ón dá aonán polaitiúla sa tír (Republika Srpska agus Cónaidhm na Boisnia agus na Heirseagaivéin) toilteanach taisteal ó aonán amháin go haonán eile.
Embassy contact
Embassy Contact
In the event of an emergency situation in Slovenia or Bosnia and Herzegovina, you can contact the Embassy in Ljubljana on +386 (0)1 300 8970.
The mobile telephone number of the officer on duty will be available on the answering machine.
Embassy of Ireland
Palača Kapitelj, 1st floor
Poljanski nasip 6
1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia
Tel: +386 1 300 8970
Fax: + 386 1 282 1096
Monday to Friday 09h00-12h30 and from 14h30-16h00
