Bosnia and Herzegovina Country Report

Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), comprised of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) and Republika Srpska (RS), is a federal democracy in the Balkan region of southeast Europe. Persistent divisions among ethnic groups, the Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats, occasionally lead to political deadlock and hinder the functioning of the federal government. Low-level inter-ethnic violence periodically occurs, although overall the country is regarded as a success story of international reconstruction efforts. BiH has made significant progress in the rebuilding of its infrastructure and economy, but high unemployment rates and insufficient economic growth have led to an increase in conventional and organized crime. Corruption is widespread. The country is committed to economic reform and increasing foreign direct investment. Protests and riots have occurred over socio-economic grievances. The country has a good network of roads linking major cities, although roads in more rural areas may be underdeveloped. The primary threat to travelers is from petty street crime.

BiH is a “potential candidate country” for membership of the EU. It has held this status since 2003, and formally applied for accession in 2016. It has not yet been accepted as a member of NATO, despite having been following the accession process since 2007.

Relations with neighbors are generally stable. Low-level ethnic violence periodically occurs. The growth of Islamic State (IS) presents a low-level terror threat. Security forces have prioritized counter-terrorism efforts. Petty crime is the most prominent threat, particularly in major urban centers such as Sarajevo or Mostar. Violent crime is rare. Unrest frequently occurs in response to various political, economic, and ethnic issues. These are typically peaceful.

The EU has a standing deployment of military personnel to BiH, named Operation Althea. Around 600 troops have an executive mandate to maintain a stable and secure environment in the country.

There are no particular concerns over air travel.

Overland travel in much of the country can be hazardous, particularly at night, as a result of poorly maintained and narrow roads. Road traffic accidents are common.

Bosnia and Herzegovina does not have a port. Its only town at sea is Neum which is unsuitable as port.

Power outages occur periodically.

Cyber-crime is rare and generally unsophisticated.

The climate of Bosnia and Herzegovina varies from a mild Mediterranean climate in the south to a more temperate continental climate in the hilly interior and northern plains and a colder mountain climate in the Dinaric Alps. Flooding can occur in the spring due to snow and ice melt and following heavy rains, particularly in areas in the vicinity of the River Sava. Forest fires can occur during summer heat waves. Landmines remain present in many rural locations despite de-mining efforts in recent years; most minefields are well-marked. Air pollution is a problem in urban city centers. The country often experiences minor-to-moderate earthquakes and landslides.

Public health care facilities in Bosnia and Herzegovina are below the standard found in Western Europe and other developed countries. Pharmacies can easily be found in all major towns and cities, although they may be less prevalent in rural areas. Travelers' diarrhea is the most common ailment.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a parliamentary representative democracy. The federal country is politically unstable given the diverse background of the nation, its dysfunctional state and political institutions, and crumbling rule of law. A president is elected for a four-year term by the three main ethnic groups (Bosniak, Croats, and Serbs).

General elections were held Oct. 2, 2022. The elections for the House of Representatives were divided into two sections. One for the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and one for Republika Srpska. In the presidential election, voters in the Federation elected Bosniak Denis Bećirović and re-elected Croat Željko Komšić, while voters in Republika Srpska elected Serb Željka Cvijanović.