NEW ENTRY RULES FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION COMING SOON

In just 12 days, citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina will face new entry procedures when crossing the external borders of the European Union, as the EU prepares to launch its Entry/Exit System (EES).

The EES is an automated IT system designed to register non-EU nationals who are entering the Schengen Area for short stays—up to 90 days within any 180-day period. It will apply across 29 European countries, including 25 EU member states (excluding Cyprus and Ireland) and four Schengen-associated countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland).

The system will digitally record biometric data (four fingerprints and a facial image), as well as passport details and entry/exit times. Traditional passport stamps will be replaced by this digital registration process starting October 12, and full implementation is expected by April 10, 2026.

According to the Croatian Ministry of Interior, border crossings with Bosnia and Herzegovina that are temporarily designated for international traffic will also apply the new system. The ministry has confirmed that Croatia is ready for the rollout and has provided detailed explanations of the new rules on its official website.

When entering the EU for the first time under the new system, travelers will be required to submit biometric data in addition to their travel document. On future trips, facial recognition will be used to compare live images with stored data, streamlining the border control process and enhancing security.

In rare cases, re-collection of biometric data may be necessary.

ETIAS POSTPONED TO LATE 2026

The launch of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) has been delayed. Once operational—now expected in late 2026—visa-free travelers will need to apply online for pre-travel authorization, paying a fee of €20, up from the initially proposed €7.

CONCERNS FOR BOSNIA AND THE REGION

The Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina warns that the implementation of EES—and later ETIAS—could cause longer border waits, potentially disrupting trade.

"The introduction of EES on October 12 and ETIAS next year will lead to delays at border crossings, negatively affecting Bosnia’s trade with the EU," a Chamber representative stated.

Given the fact that the Western Balkans are surrounded by EU borders, the Chamber argues the region should not be treated as a "third country" under these systems. They are advocating for simplified or alternative administrative procedures to ease cross-border transport and strengthen integration with the EU market.

The Chamber estimates that each person may experience an additional one-minute delay at the border due to EES procedures. Given that over 70% of Bosnia’s trade is with the EU, the potential economic impact is significant.

Back in May 2023, the Western Balkans Chamber Investment Forum, representing all six regional economies, submitted a joint initiative to the European Commission, urging reconsideration or adaptation of these systems for the region.

The Commission has responded by reaffirming that stays over 90 days remain under national visa regimes but expressed openness to further discussions within the framework of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.

During a recent meeting in Brussels, the Chamber proposed a customized EES model for the Western Balkans and suggested introducing more precise tracking of professional drivers using digital tools like EES and SIS. By counting time spent in the Schengen Area in hours rather than days, flexibility in international road transport could be significantly improved.

As the EU pushes forward with modernized border management, the region continues to seek tailored solutions to avoid disruption and support deeper economic and logistical integration with Europe.