Kosovo to Allow Visa-Free Travel for Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina Starting January 2025

In a notable step towards enhancing regional integration and collaboration, Kosovo has declared it will independently permit visa-free travel for citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina beginning January 1, 2025. This announcement was made by Kosovo’s Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, during his address at the Berlin Process Summit.

The agreement to facilitate free movement between Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina was signed in November 2022, but it has been stalled due to political roadblocks within Bosnia’s leadership, particularly from Republika Srpska, the Serb-majority entity led by Milorad Dodik. Despite Kosovo ratifying the agreement in February 2023, Bosnia has yet to fully implement it, citing concerns for the Serbian minority in Kosovo.

Key Details of the Announcement

• Effective Date: January 1, 2025
• Travel Documents: Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina will be able to enter Kosovo using only their personal identification cards
• Unilateral Decision: Kosovo is implementing this change despite the lack of reciprocity from Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Tourism Impact: Kosovo has seen a significant increase in foreign visitors, with 357,717 tourists in 2023, marking a 20.2% rise from the previous year. The largest groups of visitors were from Albania, Germany, and Switzerland.
• Berlin Process: The move aligns with the goals of the German-led Berlin Process, which aims to strengthen cooperation across the Western Balkans.
• Political Tensions: The decision underscores the ongoing political tensions between Kosovo and Bosnia, particularly with Republika Srpska, which has consistently blocked ratification of the agreement.

Current Travel Restrictions

As it stands, Bosnia and Herzegovina is the only country in the region that does not have a visa-free regime with Kosovo. Currently (October 2024):

• Kosovo citizens must obtain a visa to enter Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is only issued in exceptional cases and requires approval from Bosnia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Applications for these visas must be submitted through regional embassies, adding to the complexity of the process.

Regional and International Context

• Visa Policies: Bosnia and Herzegovina is the only country in the region that does not have a visa-free regime with Kosovo. Citizens of North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, and Serbia can travel to Kosovo with just their identity cards.
• EU Visa Policy: The European Union has a unified visa policy for the Schengen area, with specific rules for non-EU nationals. However, this development does not directly impact EU visa policies.

Conclusion

Kosovo’s decision to allow visa-free travel for citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina starting January 2025 is a significant step towards regional integration despite the lack of reciprocity from Bosnia. This move reflects Kosovo’s commitment to fostering cooperation and removing barriers to free movement within the Western Balkans.

Source: Balkaninsight