Safety in Bosnia & Herzegovina: what overland travellers should know

Our summary of the country advice published by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Viaggiare Sicuri) on 29 July 2026.

Safety

Landmines off the tarmac — Unexploded mines scattered across the country are a constant danger. The demining agencies reckon only about 60% of minefields is recorded on official maps, and the landslides caused by the 2014 floods moved already-mapped mines and their warning signs in some areas. Keep maximum attention on any trip outside built-up areas and stay out of unknown, little-used and unpaved areas; before going off-road or hiking, check the situation with the Bosnia and Herzegovina Mine Action Centre (BHMAC).
Break-ins on foreign plates — Break-ins have been reported on cars and campers with foreign plates. Leave your vehicle in a garage, a supervised car park or a well-lit area, and leave no bags, clothing or other items visible inside.
Ethnic tension and protests — The internal situation has improved a great deal since the war but is still not fully normalised, as the continuing international military presence shows. There is a persistent risk of ethnic friction, protest demonstrations and occasional episodes of tension: avoid gatherings, especially near institutional buildings.
Floods, landslides, fires — Heavy rain brings flooding and landslides. In the hottest months there is a fire risk aggravated by drought and high temperatures, and local authorities can order evacuations and road closures for safety reasons.
Bag-snatching — Occasional bag-snatching is reported, especially in Sarajevo and Medjugorje and above all in summer.

Before you rely on this

This is our summary of advice written by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Italian travellers, published on 29 July 2026. We summarise in good faith, but we cannot guarantee it is accurate, current or complete, and we take no responsibility for decisions made on the basis of it. Rules change without notice and are applied by officials at the border, not by websites. Always read the original source and the travel advice your own government publishes for Bosnia & Herzegovina before you travel. GuideMeet has no way of checking whether an individual guide meets any standard mentioned here — ask them directly.

Source: Viaggiare Sicuri — Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, updated 29 July 2026. Last checked by GuideMeet on 2026-09-20.