SIGNIFICANT CHANGES COMING TO BORDER CROSSINGS FOR BOSNIAN CITIZENS

Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as other countries that are not members of the European Union, are expecting significant changes in the way they cross the border into EU member states by the end of this year.

These changes will bring two key systems aimed at improving security, reducing bureaucracy, and modernizing border control procedures.

The first system, the Entry/Exit System (EES), will introduce biometric data and scanning, permanently replacing passport stamping. The goal of this system is to automate the registration of entries and exits from the EU for citizens of non-EU countries. This system will enable faster, more efficient, and safer passenger control while also helping to combat identity theft.

According to information from the EU Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the EES system will cover all non-EU countries, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, and will allow for easier registration of entries and exits for travelers staying in the EU for up to 90 days. By introducing this system, the EU will modernize the management of its external borders, improving security and reducing the time needed for border checks. The implementation of the EES will not happen immediately but will begin gradually, with full application expected by 2027.

The EES system has already been tested at border crossings in the Republic of Croatia, which is ready for implementation.

Croatia has completed training for border officers, and the system’s technical compliance has been verified. However, the final date and method of EES implementation will be determined by a coordinated decision at the EU level.

The second important system to be introduced by the end of 2026 is the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System). ETIAS will require citizens of non-EU countries, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, to obtain travel authorization before traveling to the EU, which will be valid for three years. This system will not require a visa, but travelers will be able to apply for authorization online and pay a fee of 7 euros. People under 18 or over 70 years old will be exempt from the fee.

Although these systems introduce changes, they do not implement a new visa regime. Travelers from Bosnia and Herzegovina and other visa-exempt countries will still be able to travel to the EU without a visa, but they will need to obtain authorization through ETIAS.