Kosovo to Allow Visa-Free Travel for Citizens of Bosnia & Herzegovina From Next Year

Starting on January 1, 2025, citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina can travel to Kosovo visa-free, according to a unilateral decision made by the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti.

Kurti announced the new changes during his speech at the Berlin Process Summit, noting that Bosnia and Herzegovina has yet to ratify the agreement, which would allow citizens of both countries to travel visa-free by only using their ID cards, Schengen.News reports.

As part of the Berlin Process Summit, which aims to tighten connections between six Western Balkan countries, there is also a mutual agreement to be reached by Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina that would simplify the travel process for both countries’ citizens.

However, while the Assembly of Kosovo ratified the Agreement for free movement with ID cards on February 23, 2023, the Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina didn’t take a similar step.

The agreement that was expected to be voted on January 23, 2023, by the Council of Ministers in Bosnia has yet not been finalized.

In order for the agreement to become effective, the agreement should be ratified in both parliaments within 18 months. However, the visa liberalization process with Kosovo has been continuously opposed by the leader of the ruling Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD), Milorad Dodik.

Kosovo Is Still Waiting for Bosnia & Herzegovina to Ratify the Agreement

In April 2023, Kosovo’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed to VisaGuide.World that both Balkan countries are signatory parties to this agreement that results from the Berlin Process.

The Senior Communication Officer in Kosovo’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Qendresa Fazliu, confirmed the deal was signed at the level of Prime Ministers back on November 3, 2022, in Belin, emphasizing that its implementation is foreseen with the same text as follows:

“The Agreement shall enter into force on the thirtieth day after the deposit of the third formal notification of ratification, acceptance or approval for the Parties that have deposited their formal notification of ratification, acceptance or approval.”

On May 28 this year, the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, reiterated the importance of the visa-free travel agreement with Bosnia during his meeting with Germany’s Special Representative for the Western Balkans, Manuel Sarrazin.