Bosnia and Herzegovina facts: location, language, currency and essentials

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country in south-east Europe, in the Balkans. It is green and mountainous, with rivers, waterfalls and old towns. The capital is Sarajevo.

Where is it?

Croatia lies to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east and Montenegro to the south-east. The country has a short Adriatic coast of about 20 km at Neum. Its area is roughly 51,000 square kilometres.

Capital and main cities

Sarajevo is the capital and largest city and hosted the 1984 Winter Olympics. Other well-known cities are Mostar with its Old Bridge, Banja Luka, Tuzla, Zenica, Bihać, Travnik and Jajce.

How the country is organised

The country consists of two entities, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska, plus the Brčko District. This matters to investors because some procedures, such as company and property registration, differ between entities and municipalities.

Language

The three official languages are very close to each other and are written in Latin and Cyrillic script. English is widely understood by younger people and in tourist businesses.

Currency

The convertible mark (KM or BAM) is pegged to the euro at a fixed rate: 1 euro = 1.95583 KM. Cards work in cities; carry cash for old markets and villages.

Religion and customs

Muslims, Orthodox Christians and Catholics have lived here for centuries. Halal food is easy to find in Sarajevo and in Muslim-majority towns.

Quick practical facts

• Time zone: Central European Time.
• Dialling code: +387.
• Electricity: 230 V, European two-pin plugs.
• Driving: on the right.

Bosnia and the EU

Bosnia and Herzegovina is an EU candidate country, but not yet a member and not part of Schengen. See Is Bosnia in Schengen?

Written in October 2026. Details are for guidance and may change — check before you travel or decide.