Bosnia and Herzegovina

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Legal status and visa requirements for those who were forced to leave Ukraine
Access to the healthcare services
Services for People Living with HIV
Services for People Living with Hepatitis B/C
Tuberculosis services​
Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) Services​
Sources
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Legal status and visa requirements for those who were forced to leave Ukraine

Regular entry is possible for up to 30 days, within the period of two months, the visa-free regime applies to holders of valid Ukrainian passports, children’s travel documents, maritime cards, and other return identification documents.

Citizens of Ukraine do not need a visa when entering, exiting, or passing through the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina for a period not exceeding 30 days, within two months from the date of the first entry.

The facilitated entry based on humanitarian reasons is enabled to the Ukrainian citizens if they present either valid or expired personal documents, such as a passport, identity cards, a maritime card, or a child passport. For children up to 18 years of age, it is sufficient to present only a birth certificate.

Refugee status/ asylum seeker status/ temporary protection status

Temporary stay based on humanitarian reasons is approved by the Decision of Council of Ministers (CoM) that is in implementation as of May 2022.

According to this Decision entry to Bosnia and Herzegovina under relaxed conditions, as well as approval of temporary stay based on humanitarian reasons for six months applies to citizens of Ukraine, provided that the temporary stay may be extended for another six months the same way it was approved initially. A procedure for approving the temporary stay based on humanitarian reasons could last for up to two weeks depending on the number of submitted applications.

The facilitated entry was enabled to the Ukrainian citizens if they present either valid or expired personal documents, such as a passport, identity cards, a maritime card, or a child passport. For children up to 18 years of age, it is sufficient to present only a birth certificate.

The Ukrainian citizens can register in 16 field offices of the Service for Foreigners’ Affairs in BiH. The contact details of the offices can be found in the link sps.gov.ba

Asylum. Upon arrival at BiH, within 30 days, the Ukrainian citizens should apply for asylum if they want to stay in BiH (in case they did not register for a temporary stay based on humanitarian reasons). Citizens of Ukraine who have decided to apply for asylum receive the status of an asylum seeker by submitting an asylum application (within the validity period of the certificate of expressed intention to apply for asylum – 14 days).  The Ministry of Security shall decide on the asylum application, in the regular procedure, within 6 months from the date of submission. Exceptionally, the Ministry of Security will decide on the asylum application within 18 months if it is difficult to establish the facts on which the asylum application is based, in case a large number of foreigners apply for asylum in a certain period or when the delay can be attributed to the asylum seeker’s omissions.

Learn more about staying in Bosnia and Herzegovina:

Access to the healthcare services

Citizens of Ukraine that are granted a temporary stay, based on humanitarian reasons, will be entitled to health care, but to what health care services they are entitled to is not decided, yet. Ukrainian citizens are entitled to emergency health care services as soon as they enter Bosnia, the decision about access to other health services (primary, secondary, etc.) will be prepared in due course.

Citizens of Ukraine who have applied for asylum under the Asylum Law are entitled to primary health care.

Persons that have been granted refugee status in BiH exercise their right to health care under the same conditions as BiH citizens. Access to this right is provided by the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees.

The third-country nationals will get access to health services depending on their status in BiH and international agreements between BiH and their country.

Brčko District. In accordance with Article 22 of the Law on Health Care in the Brčko District of BiH, a foreign citizen or stateless person has the right to health care in accordance with the provisions of this law, international agreements, and other regulations governing this area. The Law does not (prescribe) recognise the refugees as a special category of persons for whom the Brcko District bears the costs of health care. The issue of refugee health care is that it is regulated at the BiH state level. Interpretation services to Ukrainians on the territory of Brčko District are provided by the Red Cross of Brčko District, Paje Jovanovića 4, 76000 Brčko, Tel: +387 49 217-008. info@ckbdbih.ba

Healthcare services are available in Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian, while some medical staff speak English, German, Russian, etc. For asylum seekers, the Ministry of Security provides free translation. Free legal aid is provided for the duration of the asylum procedure.

Where can the Ukrainians who were forced to leave Ukraine go for the following healthcare services?

Acute treatment

Health Centre (Dom zdravlja) – primary health care facilities

Chronic/long-term treatment

Hospitals – secondary health care facilities

University Clinical Centres – tertiary health care facilities

See the healthcare facilities options in WHO leaflet

Visiting family doctors

Registration is not necessary to visit the family doctor.

Other services

  • Brčko District. For the provision of all the above-mentioned services, please refer to the public health institution JZU „Zdravstveni centar Brčko“, (primary health care)
    Address: Reisa Džemaludina Čauševića 1, 76100 Brčko distrikt BiH
    Tel: 049/234-740, switchboard 049/217-422
    Fax: 049/216-050
    e-mail: brcko.bolnica@gmail.com

  • ZU „Zdravstveni centar Brčko“ – (hospital care)
    Banjalučka 3, 76100 Brčko distrikt BiH
    Tel: 049/ 233 920
    e-mail: brcko.bolnica@gmail.com
  • NGO PROI can provide support to Ukrainian citizens in BiH:
    Address: Pehlivanuša 7, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Email: info@proi.ba
    Phone: +387 33 558 505

Services for People Living with HIV

HIV-testing

Testing is available free of charge at:

Testing for minors is possible in the presence of a parent or a guardian.

Antiretroviral treatment (ART)

People on ART can bring their own medication into the country. The doctor’s prescription is not obligatory.

Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH): People can receive ART free of charge if the medication is paid for by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Brčko District: People can receive ART free of charge if the medication is paid for by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The precondition for receiving ART is either to be enrolled/covered by health insurance in FBiH or have a confirmation/guarantee that ART will be paid for by the International Organization for Migration. Otherwise, it would be paid out-of-pocket.

NOTE. The medicines for HIV treatment are running of stock in BiH. They are available for a few days only even for BiH citizens that are already registered for therapy, which is very dangerous, because if a treatment is paused for a while, there is a possibility for a body to develop resistance to a medicine, and after it is continued the medicine might not be as effective as it used to be, which can lead to weakening of the immunity. This should be considered by Ukrainians who are planning to receive ART.

Source: Information portal BL Portal 

How can minors get treatment?

Minors can receive ART under the precondition that they are enrolled/covered by health insurance in FBiH or have a confirmation/guarantee that ART will be paid by International Organization for Migration. Otherwise, it would be paid out-of-pocket.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)

PrEP administration is not regulated by the procedures of Institute of Health Insurance and Reinsurance of FBiH. The procedures are also not yet defined for Brčko District. All persons with confirmed risk indications are eligible to receive PrEP, but they have to pay out-of-pocket.

Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)

PEP is recommended for one month in case of medical indications/exposure.

PEP is available for Ukrainians free of charge if they are covered by International Organization for Migration.

Services for People Living with Hepatitis B/C

Hepatitis B and C testing, hepatitis B vaccination, and hepatitis B and C treatment availability

The services are available for all registered Ukrainians at:

If a Ukrainian who was forced to leave Ukraine cannot provide medical history of hepatitis B vaccination or hepatitis B/C treatment, testing will be performed.

Regular testing, every 6-12 months (PCR HBV DNA and PCR HCV RNA), is available.

Treatment options available for hepatitis related liver diseases

At the University Clinical Centre Sarajevo, Clinic of Gastroenteropatology

For Brčko District, inquiries should be made at public health institution:

Support systems (harm reduction/safer use, social support, or psychosocial support) available for the Ukrainians undergoing therapy for hepatitis C or related liver diseases

Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH): Psychosocial support and regular check-ups by a medical doctor.

Brčko District: inquiries  should be made at public health institution:

Tuberculosis services

If the person has TB symptoms:

TB screening is voluntary. In case of respiratory symptoms, the person should be examined by a pulmonologist at the primary (Dom zdravlja) or secondary (hospital) health care level.

If a Ukrainian who was forced to leave Ukraine has symptoms of TB (e.g. cough, fever, weight loss), they should visit either a primary (Dom zdravlja) or secondary (hospital) health care institution at their place of temporary residence.

The same applies to children. A parent or guardian should first take the child to a paediatrician, who  after examination, will give further instructions and referral.

Clinic for Lung Diseases and TB, Bardakčije 90, 71000 Sarajevo tel: 033 290-600

If TB was already diagnosed in Ukraine and the person needs to continue treatment:

Continuation of the started treatment can be performed -at the Dispensary for Lung Diseases; and if  the patient is still  infectious (microscopically positive for tuberculosis bacilli) at the Clinic for Lung Diseases and TB, Bardakčije 90, 71000 Sarajevo Tel: 033/290-600 Email podhrastovi@kcus.ba

In accordance with Article 22 of the Law on Health Care in the Brčko District of BiH, a foreign citizen or stateless person has the right to health care in accordance with the provisions of this law, international agreements, and other regulations governing this area. The law does not (prescribe) recognise refugees as a special category of persons for whom the Brcko District bears the costs of health care. The issue of refugee health care is regulated at the BiH state level.

For continuation of TB treatment for multidrug-resistant TB/ TB treatment with video directly observed treatment (VDOT), the treatment can be done at the Clinic for Lung Diseases and TB, but with the prior purchase of drugs donated by the IOM or WHO.

For inquiries and referral, the person should visit/contact the public health institution JZU „Zdravstveni centar Brčko “, (primary health care),

Address: Reisa Džemaludina Čauševića 1, 76100 Brčko distrikt BiH

Tel: 049/234-740, switchboard 049/217-422 Fax: 049/216-050

Email: brcko.bolnica@gmail.com

Find tuberculosis services here

Non-medical support

This can be provided with the support of and in collaboration with the IOM.

If a person has a Ukrainian prescription for TB treatment medication…

It is possible to get the medication in some pharmacies, but a person must pay out-of-pocket.

Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination for children

The person should visit either a primary (Dom zdravlja) or secondary (hospital) health care institution at their place of temporary residence.

For Brčko District, inquiries should be made at the public health institution:

  • JZU „Zdravstveni centar Brčko “, (primary health care),
    Address: Reisa Džemaludina Čauševića 1, 76100 Brčko distrikt BiH
    Tel: 049/234-740, switchboard 049/217-422
    Fax: 049/216-050
    Email: brcko.bolnica@gmail.com

Opioid agonist treatment (OAT) services

Medication rules

Take-home doses must be declared at the border.  It is advisable to bring a prescription, especially if  the take-home doses  is brought into BiH/

To get the free doses , the best option would be to contact:

Counselling for prevention and treatment of addiction, centres UG “Viktorija”:

What OAT drugs are available in the country?

Methadone, Suboxone.

OAT treatment fees

To get the free of charge OAT medication and take-home doses, patients should contact:

  • Addiction Disorders of Canton Sarajevo, Department for treatment of drug addiction web pages here and here

Sources

General requirements and access to healthcare

04. Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees
05. Service for Foreigners Affairs
06. Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina
07. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina
08. Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees
09. Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina
10. Ministry of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina
11. The UN Refugee Agency
12. Bosnia & Herzegovina Pro Bono AMERA International
13. Ministry of Health of Bosnia and Herzegovina
15. Ministry of Health and Social Welfare Republika Srpska
16. Government of Brčko District of BiH, Department of Health and Other Services
19. Public health institution JZU „Zdravstveni centar Brčko“

HIV

03. Website www.hivtestiranjebih.com
04. Section for public health Brčko District, JZU „Zdravstveni centar Brčko“
05. Section for public health Brčko District
06. University Clinical Centre Banja Luka, Clinic of Infectious Diseases
07. NGO Partnerships in health
08. Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH)
09. News channel N1
10. Information portal BL Portal

Hepatitis B/C

01. Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH)
02. University Clinical Centre Sarajevo, Clinic of Infectious Diseases
03. NGO Partnerships in health
04. Public health institution JZU „Zdravstveni centar Brčko“
06. Section for public health Brčko District, JZU „Zdravstveni centar Brčko“
07. University Clinical Centre Banja Luka, Clinic of Infectious Diseases
08. Public Health Institute of the Republic of Srpska

TB

01. Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH)
02. University Clinical Centre Sarajevo, Clinic of Infectious Diseases
03. Section for public health Brčko District
05. Section for public health Brčko District, JZU „Zdravstveni centar Brčko“
06. European Test Finder

OAT

01. Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees
03. Institute for Addiction Disorders of Canton Sarajevo
06. NGO UG Viktorija
07. Section for public health Brčko District, JZU „Zdravstveni centar Brčko“