Balkan Border Crossings: What to Expect (2026)

Crossing borders in the western Balkans is part of the experience — and it’s nowhere near as complicated as people expect. Croatia is in the EU, Bosnia and Montenegro are not. That means passport checks at every crossing. But in practice, it’s quick, routine, and your driver handles the vehicle paperwork.

What documents do I need to cross borders in the Balkans?

Passport. That’s it for most nationalities. EU, US, UK, Canadian, Australian, and most other Western citizens enter Bosnia and Montenegro without a visa for stays up to 90 days.

ID cards work for EU citizens entering Croatia but not for Bosnia or Montenegro — bring your passport.

Vehicle documents are your driver’s responsibility if you’re in a private transfer. If you’re driving a rental car, check with your rental company that Bosnia/Montenegro is covered — not all policies include cross-border driving.

The major crossings

Croatia → Bosnia (Dubrovnik to Mostar route)

Doljani/Metkovic is the main crossing on the southern route. Since the Peljesac Bridge opened, most Dubrovnik–Mostar transfers use this crossing only once (instead of going through the Neum corridor with two crossings).

Typical wait: 2–5 minutes outside peak season. 10–30 minutes in July/August. Early morning is fastest.

Croatia → Bosnia (Split to Mostar route)

Kamensko or Bijaca border posts. Generally quieter than the southern crossings.

Typical wait: Under 5 minutes most of the year.

Croatia → Montenegro

Karasovici crossing south of Dubrovnik. This is the main route to Kotor and the Bay.

Typical wait: 5–15 minutes. Can be longer in summer when everyone is heading to the coast.

Bosnia → Montenegro

Hum or Sitnica crossings. These are among the quietest borders in the Balkans.

Typical wait: Under 5 minutes, often no queue at all.

What happens at a Balkan border crossing?

Your car approaches the booth
The officer takes passports (usually through the car window)
They check, stamp, and return them
You drive on

That’s it. No forms to fill out, no fees to pay, no luggage inspection (unless something seems unusual). The entire interaction takes 30 seconds per person.

Questions they might ask: “Where are you going?” and “How long are you staying?” Answer simply — “Mostar, two days” — and you’re through.

Tips for faster crossings

Passports in hand before you reach the booth. Not in bags, not in the trunk.
Travel early or late. The 10am–2pm window is when tour buses clog the crossings.
Avoid the Neum corridor in summer — the Peljesac Bridge bypass is faster.
Private transfers are fastest — drivers know which lanes to use and have their vehicle documents ready.
Weekends in summer are worse than weekdays, especially Friday/Sunday when locals travel.

Common concerns

“Will they search the car?” Almost never. Standard crossings are document-only.

“What if my flight is delayed and I’m late?” Borders don’t have time limits. You can cross any time, 24/7.

“Do I need printed reservations?” Not typically, but having your hotel booking accessible on your phone doesn’t hurt if they ask.

“What about customs/duty-free?” Personal items are fine. Don’t try to bring large quantities of alcohol, tobacco, or goods for resale across borders.

Book a cross-border transfer →

Popular cross-border transfers: Dubrovnik to Kotor · Dubrovnik to Mostar · Split to Mostar · Mostar to Sarajevo