Traveling with a dog around the Balkans has its specifics, but in most cases it’s surprisingly straightforward – especially if you’re well prepared for the transfers. Bosnia and Herzegovina is still a somewhat unknown country for many travelers, but all the more authentic. The same applies when traveling with a dog.
In this article we look at the official entry requirements for a dog from the EU to Bosnia and Herzegovina, explain what to watch for when returning to the EU, and supplement them with our real experience from the trip when we entered the country by car from Montenegro with our dog Ibo.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is not a member of the EU
Bosnia and Herzegovina is not a member of the European Union. For travel with companion animals it is considered a third country, so the free movement of animals that applies within the EU does not apply.
The good news is that Bosnia and Herzegovina is among the countries where the entry conditions for dogs from the EU are relatively simple and in practice are often checked only very superficially. However, that does not mean they should be underestimated.
Our personal experience: entering Bosnia and Herzegovina with a dog
We entered Bosnia and Herzegovina by car from Montenegro during our Balkan road trip, via the border crossing Šćepan Polje / Hum. By the way, I have to mention a very original wooden and, above all, very narrow bridge that crosses the border directly over the Tara River. Traffic there operates alternately, always in one direction.
Our dog Ibo traveled with us across this border; he is originally from the European Union and met all the official requirements to enter the country – we’ll talk about returning to the EU in a moment.
At the border crossing we were prepared to present all the necessary documents – passports, vehicle registration papers and the EU Pet Passport for the dog. The reality, however, was again somewhat simpler.
The border control focused mainly on our personal documents. They did not examine the presence of the dog at all, and so no detailed check of his documents took place. After a short check we continued into Bosnia and Herzegovina without any complications.
This experience again confirmed the typical Balkan contrast between official rules and how things often work in practice.
Entry requirements for a dog into Bosnia and Herzegovina (from the EU)
If you travel with a dog from a member state of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina, your dog must meet several basic veterinary requirements.
The dog must have a microchip (ISO 11784/11785), which must be implanted before rabies vaccination. A valid rabies vaccination is also required, and at least 21 days must pass since the first vaccination. For regular revaccination, a new waiting period does not apply.
Additionally, a European pet passport (EU Pet Passport) is required, which records details about the chip, vaccinations and the owner. Officially, a health certificate for the dog issued by a veterinarian is also required, and it should not be older than 10 days.
The movement must be non-commercial and the maximum number of animals per person is five.
Returning to the EU: an important detail
When returning from Bosnia and Herzegovina back to the European Union you need to be especially attentive. Bosnia and Herzegovina is not included among the so-called listed third countries, which has a crucial impact on the return conditions.
In practice this means that the dog must have a blood test for rabies antibodies, which:
- is performed after rabies vaccination,
- must be done in an approved laboratory,
- and return to the EU is possible no earlier than 3 months after the blood sampling.
If the dog hasn’t had this test performed before leaving the EU, the return can become significantly complicated. We can modestly admit that Ibo did not take this test before our trip. Fortunately, on our return to the EU, specifically to Croatia, no one checked this fact. Once again, it proved that it’s good to know the conditions for traveling with a dog in advance and to prepare for them thoroughly.
Practical tips in brief
- Check the validity of the rabies vaccination before departure and have it recorded in the EU Pet Passport.
- If you plan to return to the EU, consider a rabies blood test before the trip – this will make the situation significantly easier.
- Also take a veterinary health certificate for the dog with you, even if it may not be required at the borders.
- Be prepared that border checks may be very superficial, but responsibility always lies with the dog’s owner.
- Keep the dog’s documents always at hand, especially when returning to the EU.