Bosnia Foreign Ministry awaits official EU launch date for ETIAS system

The European Commission’s official border management portal confirms that ETIAS is not currently operational and applications are not yet open. The Commission has stated that all non-EU nations will receive several months' advance notice prior to the system's official rollout.

ETIAS is an electronic travel authorization rather than a visa, meaning Bosnia will retain its visa-free travel regime for citizens holding biometric passports. Applications will be processed electronically via the sole official EU web portal or mobile app. The mandatory application fee is set at €20, though travelers under 18 or over 70 years of age, as well as certain family members of EU citizens, will be exempt from payment. Authorizations will be linked digitally to passports, remaining valid for up to three years or until passport expiry. Most submissions will process within minutes, though complex reviews requiring additional information or an interview may take up to 30 days.

The system functions independently from the Entry/Exit System (EES), which became fully operational at external Schengen borders on 10 April 2026 to register physical border crossings electronically. Once ETIAS takes effect, a six-month transitional period will apply, ensuring travelers without an authorization can still cross the border provided all other entry criteria are met. The Ministry urged citizens to use only official EU websites to avoid fraudulent services and stated it will inform diplomatic missions and the public as soon as new official details emerge.